Strength of Materials

1
Strength of Materials Daniel Toney, University of
West Georgia
Discussions After the characteristics
and properties of the materials were tested the
results could be used to relate their uses to the
present day automotive industry and possible
future uses.
Introduction and Objectives At the start of this
project the main goals were to understand the
properties and chacteristics of the three basic
materials used in the automotive industry.These
materials consist of metal, plastic, and ceramic.
To help in understanding the properties of these
materials test where preformed. These test
focused on the strength, chemical resistance, and
conductivity of the material. By learning the
chacteristics of these materials this would allow
the literature research on the materials uses in
the auto industry clearer. The strength test will
measure by the amount of pressure that a sample
can withstand. Chemical test will simulate
weathering conditions found in our daily lives.
Conductivity test show if the materials will make
better conductors or insulators of electricity.
Knowing these variables makes understanding the
uses of these materials recognizable.
Study conclusions and ideas for new
research Ceramics the Material of the Future.
Ceramics are lightweight, wear and corrosion
resistant. Ceramics have excellent thermal
insulating properties. These properties make
ceramics a material that has many applications in
the automotive industry. The fact that ceramics
have high working temperatures and thermal
conductivity allow for more uses in the
automotive industry. Much work is being done to
make ceramics tougher and to join ceramics to
metals to have strength and increased heat
resistance. Ceramics are being used in components
of automobiles such as clutches, catalytic
converters, and spark plugs. In addition,
engineers have been trying to make a ceramic
engine strong enough to resistant the strain and
vibration that daily driven vehicle experience.
Ceramic brakes are already in use, but their cost
is an average of 6000 per car. Testing has
confirmed the heat resistant properties of
ceramics, slow dissipation of heat, and good
insulation properties. In its pure form ceramic
has poor resistance to strong acid. Yet, ceramic
is show to be resistant to strong bases. However,
it is sensitive to oxidation agents causing it to
discolor. However, ceramic has some problems
that have yet to be resolved. If the automobile
industry is to make best use of ceramics, the
following problems need a solution. Improve
reliability, by increasing the strength of the
material. Reduce the number and size of flaws in
the ceramics by developing better methods of form
the ceramic products. Develop methods to test
mechanical behavior to understand the material
flaws of the ceramics. Most reduce the cost of
production for the benefit of the common
people. Metals in the Auto Industry The use of
lightweight material in manufacturing a car is
important for many reasons. The need for good
fuel economy is a driving force in the
development of lightweight materials. The largest
growing metal used in the automotive industry is
high strength steel (HSS). Aluminum, magnesium,
and other alloys are being used in the industry,
but HSS has had the greatest increase in the
light vehicle market. Steel had always been a
major part of the automobile, and it will always
be included in some way. However, the steel
industry realized the need to develop new steels.
The properties of HSS allow thinner gauges of
steel in the small cars. This lowers the weight
of the cars without reducing the strength of the
cars. HSS is five times stronger than mild
steels. The HSS have made cars lighter, safer,
more fuel efficient at a price the average care
buyer can afford. There is also a lot of aluminum
in the average car. The aluminum found in the car
is mostly in the engine blocks and cylinder head
that were once made of cast iron. Aluminum can be
found radiators and heat exchangers. HSS is
found mostly in the body of the car on in body
components, because it is still the cheapest
material to use. There is strong competition to
the primary material for the production of the
automobile. The rivalry is not just for the
bodies of the cars but there is also competition
for the engine and other components of the engine
compartment. Magnesium is a possible material for
a lightweight replacement for cast iron and steel
parts. Magnesium and its alloys could be used in
the seat frames, instrument panels, steering
wheels, as well as engine and transmission
components. There is a problem with magnesium in
the untreated form magnesium has poor corrosion
resistance. Magnesium is also more expensive than
steel. HSS has many advantages it is lightweight,
strong. x x
Methodology The graph were obtained through the
use of logger pro data collector combined with a
force meter to determine the maximum load the
materials listed could withstand.

Plastics the Material of the Present. Lightweigh
t, good insulator, and highly corrosion resistant
are characteristics of plastics. They are
flexible and able to retain their shape when
placed under different stresses. Plastics with
the addition of certain material can be made
stronger than most metals. In some forms they can
be stronger than steel and lighter than
aluminum. Plastics are an important part of our
daily lives, especially plastics used in the
automotive industry. One of the most important
applications of plastic is in the front and rear
fascia and other side body panels. In addition to
saving weight, plastics lower the risk of
damaging a vehicle in minor collisions and road
debris due to its ability to flex and maintain
its original shape. Plastics are also used in the
interior of the vehicle primarily to lower
production cost of most vehicles. Plastics will
always be weight saver compared to any other
material on the market. Besides interior and
exterior paneling on vehicles, plastics serve
other important function such as insulators.
Plastic not only has the ability to insolate
metal wire for electrical components it is
flexible enough too routed with ease through out
the vehicle. Plastic is taking the place of glass
in many new vehicles in part to its translucent
properties. Headlights are able to produce with
clear plastic, and taillights can be form from
transparent plastic with added red tint.
Plastics, though durable, whether resistance,
and corrosion resistant are not perfect. Plastics
do not have the structure to withstand high
temperature or the ability to be flam resistant.
These inabilities render plastic useless in the
structure of an internal combustion engine.
Leaving plastic good for light weight body
components and insulators.
Funding Source NSF STEP grant DUE-0336571