Collision protection and self-healing structures

While some people enthuse about the “steel of the 21st century”, others warn against expecting too much from the use of carbon fibre materials in large-scale motor vehicle production for reasons of technology and cost.

While proponents provide proof of feasibility with automotive bodies manufactured entirely from carbon fibre reinforced plastic and/or individual bumper beam or tailgate components made from this material, the devotees of conventional materials tend to be dismissive, saying it is too expensive, not suitable for large-scale production and too difficult to recycle. Nevertheless, both sides are aware that textile research institutes have had encouraging research successes.

Some of these institutes will be represented at this month’s Techtextil trade fair along with their industrial partners.

For the full story, see the June 2013 edition of MobileTex. Not a subscriber? Click HERE