Overview of automotive structural composites technology developments in Japan

• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2017.09.015
• Publication Date: 2017-09-18T22:46:11Z
• Authors: Takashi Ishikawa; Kazuaki Amaoka; Yuichi Masubuchi; Tetsuya Yamamoto; Atsuhiko Yamanaka; Masahiro Arai; Jun Takahashi
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology

The recent status of Japan's government-driven project to establish carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites (CFRTP) technology for automotive applications conducted in the National Composites Center (NCC) Japan is introduced first. baseline discontinuous (C-LFT-D: – long thermoplastic-direct) using press compaction. All components target car chassis made aluminum alloy are replaced by C-LFT-D and a 10% weight reduction with same rigidity has been verified. basic physics length distribution mechanism experimental procedures measure distributions proposed. A theory predict flow behavior extruded raw material mixture melted resin thermoplastics proposed, sophisticated CAE software patterns established. Measured elastic moduli processed LFT-D plates show strong dependency on local orientations correlations between bending strengths modulus found. Hence, prediction orientation compaction key point design components. viscoelastic properties materials characterized established theories. Certain important parameters, such as shift factors, identified experiments. concepts joining also established, where ultrasonic fusion bonding selected primary method. Joining defined mechanical joints evaluated. essence other University Tokyo CFRTP automobiles introduced. Several new developed evaluation technologies developed.