The advancement of metal-matrix composites in the automotive market is still hampered by the low-volume usage of these materials, which is caused by their high cost in comparison with aluminum alloys and, in some cases, by the lack of theoretically predicted properties. Many significant challenges must be met as these materials reach maturity and the technology is scaled-up for automotive-component fabrication. The successful commercialization of metal-matrix composites will ultimately depend on their cost effectiveness for different applications. This requires optimum methods of processing, machining, and recycling, including some very new and advanced forming routes. In the automotive market, MMCs are used in the form of extruded and draw tubing to produce stiffer and lighter driveshafts. MMC driveshafts have higher critical rotational speeds for a given geometry and operate at reduced vibrational noise levels. Other automotive applications include extruded stabilizer bars, forged suspension and transmission components, and rolled/forged snow-tire studs. All of these applications benefit from either the increased stiffness or increased wear resistance attributable to an MMC. The possibility of substituting aluminum for cast iron offers a considerable potential weight savings, as typically 12 % of the weight of a small economy car (about 100 kg in total) and 15-17 % of the weight of a diesel truck consists of cast iron.
Aluminum composites for automotive applications: A global perspective
Aluminiumverbundwerkstoffe für den Fahrzeugbau: Eine globale Perspektive
JOM - The Journal of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society ; 51 , 11 ; 54-58
1999
5 Seiten, 2 Bilder, 2 Tabellen
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch
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