1. Application of reinforced plastic and glass fiber composite (GFRP)
The composite components and interior materials used in automotive applications are relatively mature, and manufacturers are constantly optimizing the processability of materials and improving the aesthetics of materials. For example, reinforced PP is used to make products such as engine cooling fan blades and timing belt upper and lower covers.
2. Application of carbon fiber composite (CFRP)
After years of development, the application of glass fiber composite materials in automobiles has been very mature, and the molding processes including SMC, long fiber reinforced thermoplastic (LFT) and glass fiber thermoplastic (GMT) have been continuously improved and can be mass-produced. However, glass fiber also has the disadvantage of insufficient strength and rigidity, which limits its use mainly for non-load bearing members. Carbon fiber composites, as advanced composite materials, have been widely used in aerospace and other military products due to their excellent mechanical properties, which can compete with the steel structures used in automobiles. It is superior in terms of weight reduction and energy absorption. In recent years, with the decline in international and domestic carbon fiber prices, the application range of carbon fiber composite materials in automobiles has also been broadened. It can be used as a force skeleton, chassis, roof, door, bumper, hub, drive shaft, leaf spring, etc., and its models also have high-end sports cars to ordinary cars, buses and trains. And the application of carbon fiber composites has become a symbol of high quality vehicles.
3. Application of new forms and environmentally friendly composite materials
Compared with traditional materials, composite materials have their own unique characteristics in the automotive field, such as high specific strength specific modulus, designability and so on. For its design features, it can be combined with other materials to make it not only excellent in mechanical properties but also specific to its functionality. Therefore, the development and utilization of composite materials in a new form, highlighting the integration of its structural functions has also become an important direction. Although composite materials have many advantages, the recycling problem has always been a difficult point to limit the application of composite materials in automobiles. In recent years, the emphasis on the environment, the continuous improvement of energy-saving emission reduction requirements, provides a development opportunity for composite materials in the direction of lightweight vehicles, and also puts forward higher requirements for the recovery of composite materials. Conventional glass fiber and carbon fiber composite materials, especially thermosetting materials, are difficult to recover and are difficult to degrade, thus causing environmental problems.
