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Automakers Drive Carbon Composites

Design News -- Long used in aircraft, strong, lightweight carbon fiber composites are still too expensive for high-volume, mainstream automotive manufacturing. Although volumes can't be manufactured fast enough to amortize their high materials cost, automakers are tempted: Carbon composites offer weight savings of 30 percent to 40 percent over metals. So composite manufacturers, often partnering with automakers, are working on lower-cost materials, processes better suited to high-volume manufacturing, and fabrication methods to cope with complex shapes.

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Submitted Sep 14, 2012 By: doeslayersr

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 18, 2012 12:01:03 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse another plastic bomber debacle waiting to happen?
sparky808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,008 Points:599,685 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 6:55:28 PM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse Thank you for posting.
jbrad4 All-Star Author Dallas Posts:801 Points:477,295 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 11:41:58 AM Ignore jbrad4 Report Abuse Carbon composites are stronger and lighter than a lot of metals, but they have to get the costs down.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,043 Points:2,346,485 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 10:01:00 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Produce vehicles with lighter frames, body’s and components – using carbon fiber, titanium, plastics or other light weight and strong materials. Lighter Weight –> Higher MPG! As high MPG vehicles are produced, the price for those vehicles will increase. High MPG vehicles, high vehicle price, high liquid fuel cost from Big Oil (not as much fuel is produced and Big Oil wants to maintain their profit income). Low MPG vehicles, low vehicle cost, high liquid fuel cost (Big Oil still maintains their profit income). Lighter EV vehicles, higher vehicle range and distance, smaller battery capacity needed, less electricity needed to fully charge that EV battery. Who knows what the local electrical utility will charge for an EV or Inbred that is recharged from the grid when there are more and more of them recharging at the same time. ALL auto or personal batteries will be REUSED or RECYCLED, they will not be thrown away into a land fill OR placed in storage and piled up! If more CNG vehicles are produced or more vehicles are converted to natural gas, more and more natural gas is used so expect that fuel to rise in price too. Lighter CNG vehicles, more distance for the same amount of fuel, expect higher fuel costs later. Improved light weight, high MPG, driverless vehicles to reduce the accident and death rates. Watch for sharp needles when the carbon fiber disintegrates and absorbs the force of the impact – spray with glue or other similar products to contain the fibers from inhalation or contact. Very sharp carbon fiber needles can pierce the skin without you knowing it. There are 'repair patches' available for repair areas as in the case of the lightweight 'plastic tank' which has carbon fiber and plastic too. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, has a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
Wizrd03 Champion Author Illinois Posts:8,157 Points:1,633,310 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 8:56:50 AM Ignore Wizrd03 Report Abuse Try and fix it after an accident, the insurance companies will be totaling a lot of cars and your insurance rates will more than offset the savings in gas.
yardslave Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:2,560 Points:597,780 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 7:05:23 AM Ignore yardslave Report Abuse Repost from yesterday...
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:4,083 Points:798,125 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 2:31:52 AM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse It will push the price up too much.
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,993 Points:1,113,430 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:26:29 AM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse The higher the price tag on cars the fewer the buyers...
unicornpmb Champion Author Buffalo Posts:8,496 Points:1,630,490 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:24:21 AM Ignore unicornpmb Report Abuse Good, but costly.
crreed1 Champion Author West Virginia Posts:1,990 Points:2,527,310 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:22:39 AM Ignore crreed1 Report Abuse can't afford one
chuckhermann All-Star Author New York Posts:967 Points:500,175 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:14:59 AM Ignore chuckhermann Report Abuse Lighter cars would have a huge impact on fuel economy. Its just hard to get people to spend more $$ up front and save more over the life of the car, especially if people are leasing a new car every 3 years.
heydano67 Champion Author California Posts:1,671 Points:358,510 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:14:53 AM Ignore heydano67 Report Abuse Sounds like a way to get better mileage
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:5,609 Points:800,300 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:14:45 AM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse this helps who?
judgemobile Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,575 Points:2,446,110 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:12:07 AM Ignore judgemobile Report Abuse marketplace should decide, not some bureaucratic hack like a car czar.
jkpsr Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,084 Points:1,102,880 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:10:09 AM Ignore jkpsr Report Abuse I has been over fifteen years since you could buy a four-passenger car in the US that weighed under 2000 lbs. Carbon Composites could make it happen.
pyndasky Champion Author Maryland Posts:10,005 Points:1,782,780 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:08:53 AM Ignore pyndasky Report Abuse "Carbon Composites my boy, Carbon Composites" .... doesn't exactly roll off the tongue like "Plastics my boy!"
heartbroken2010 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:4,349 Points:898,510 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:08:16 AM Ignore heartbroken2010 Report Abuse it is what it is.
ican2step Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:1,686 Points:428,375 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:07:40 AM Ignore ican2step Report Abuse Okay
52MPG Champion Author Dayton Posts:7,267 Points:1,742,680 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:07:01 AM Ignore 52MPG Report Abuse I think this is good technology.
tman70 Champion Author Georgia Posts:1,765 Points:735,025 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:06:26 AM Ignore tman70 Report Abuse Ok
SaturnSC Champion Author Columbus Posts:1,051 Points:833,475 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:04:23 AM Ignore SaturnSC Report Abuse Hmmmm
kassie1203 Champion Author California Posts:1,385 Points:255,235 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:04:04 AM Ignore kassie1203 Report Abuse ok
TFowler513 Champion Author Memphis Posts:3,824 Points:1,414,860 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:03:35 AM Ignore TFowler513 Report Abuse Good stuff, high costs and high to repair. I don't think it is enough to offset the fuel savings.
jem069 Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,543 Points:688,055 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:03:07 AM Ignore jem069 Report Abuse Ok
rahcat Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:2,473 Points:663,925 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:02:50 AM Ignore rahcat Report Abuse Great, if they can lower the cost. No subsidies!!!!!
skybiker Champion Author South Carolina Posts:7,297 Points:1,560,265 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:02:01 AM Ignore skybiker Report Abuse Collision repairs will be expensive...
Mr Tex All-Star Author Dallas Posts:877 Points:2,494,385 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:01:29 AM Ignore Mr Tex Report Abuse Does "lower-cost" mean "lower-quality"?
Matt G Champion Author Boston Posts:4,538 Points:2,774,015 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2012 12:01:09 AM Ignore Matt G Report Abuse Good
defiancegasman Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,080 Points:1,323,260 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:57:29 PM Ignore defiancegasman Report Abuse Lighter than steel, but not as forgiving in a accident!
SkooterG Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,359 Points:329,335 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:53:54 PM Ignore SkooterG Report Abuse Carbon fiber for the mainstream is getting closer. Which is a good thing.
WIPACKERFAN Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,809 Points:1,844,425 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:50:20 PM Ignore WIPACKERFAN Report Abuse Ok
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,310 Points:1,638,920 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:49:41 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse COOL!
LiquidGold2011 Sophomore Author California Posts:101 Points:202,840 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:44:47 PM Ignore LiquidGold2011 Report Abuse Eventually methods will be developed that will reduce unit cost. However, these vehicles might be more expensive to insure, as repair costs will dramatically increase after a severe accident. Nano-fiber manufacture may ultimately be the answer, and a better solution for large volume manufacture ...
humancry Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,618 Points:1,002,455 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:42:40 PM Ignore humancry Report Abuse ok
txkrb Champion Author Texas Posts:1,563 Points:639,665 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:41:31 PM Ignore txkrb Report Abuse To bonzoon: Vehicles are not yet made of carbon fiber the manufacturers are researching the possibility read the article
MDTDriver Champion Author California Posts:9,729 Points:2,155,620 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:40:35 PM Ignore MDTDriver Report Abuse It is all plastic in the end.
iamforiu Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,575 Points:711,740 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:39:32 PM Ignore iamforiu Report Abuse hmmmmm
bonzoonfmb Champion Author Florida Posts:1,787 Points:645,560 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:37:16 PM Ignore bonzoonfmb Report Abuse The best automobiles are made with lightweight carbon fiber composites.
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:7,927 Points:1,575,955 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:36:41 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse interesting
steben11 Veteran Author Montreal Posts:382 Points:484,965 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:30:58 PM Ignore steben11 Report Abuse interesting
livedream Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,690 Points:756,035 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:30:42 PM Ignore livedream Report Abuse I'm more interested to read how this will impact safety in a much lighter vehicle. What are the added safety features, if any? How does it hold up in crash tests?
Ray_10589 Champion Author New York Posts:4,951 Points:1,183,960 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:30:39 PM Ignore Ray_10589 Report Abuse Link not workong
letterchunker Champion Author Texas Posts:2,245 Points:667,675 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:30:20 PM Ignore letterchunker Report Abuse ok
pgerassi Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:10,901 Points:2,132,580 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:30:16 PM Ignore pgerassi Report Abuse OK
bra0712 Champion Author Arizona Posts:3,665 Points:769,320 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:29:27 PM Ignore bra0712 Report Abuse Oh
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,071 Points:1,732,210 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:27:07 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse disappointed
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,857 Points:1,613,225 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:25:44 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse I would like to read the article but Design News has some weird setup. The link just leads to a blank page. :-(
mcmonsta Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,232 Points:819,520 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:21:05 PM Ignore mcmonsta Report Abuse just a matter of time till it becomes reality
camel1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:8,270 Points:2,266,615 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:19:37 PM Ignore camel1 Report Abuse ok
seahawks Champion Author Washington Posts:3,232 Points:1,964,720 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 11:18:41 PM Ignore seahawks Report Abuse interesting!!!