The dent resistance of aluminum and steel autobody panels has been studied under controlled laboratory conditions and by field observations and measurements of actual hailstone damage. Analysis of the results shows that very nearly the same response occurred in the lighter weight aluminum components as occurred in the steel panels.The autobody components were all 1977 model year production panels. Laboratory testing included four steel and four aluminum hoods, both painted and unpainted. The hailstone damaged components included a steel hood, aluminum doors and an aluminum fender. The aluminum and steel panels were damaged in the same hailstorm during May 1977.The analysis of denting resistance presented in this paper is based on insight and experience gained from a four-year cooperative program of Reynolds Research and several automobile companies. The results given here supplement previously published laboratory data and confirm the conclusion that lighter weight aluminum autobody panels can be designed to give at least comparable, if not better, dent resistance than conventionally used steel panels, and at a weight savings of 50 percent.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Hailstone Response of Body Panels - Real and Simulated


    Additional title:

    Sae Technical Papers


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    1978 Automotive Engineering Congress and Exposition ; 1978



    Publication date :

    1978-02-01




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Hailstone Response of Body Panels - Real and Simulated

    Niemeier,B.A. / Burley,C.E. / Reynolds Metals,US | Automotive engineering | 1978


    Hailstone response of body panels - real and simulated

    Niemeier, B.A. / Burley, C.E. | Tema Archive | 1978


    Hailstone impact simulator

    ALFARO-BOU, E. | AIAA | 1972


    Hailstone impact simulator.

    Alfaro-Bou, E. | NTRS | 1972