Reinforced Materials

So far, we are more familiar with metal as a material for making automobile parts. In fact it is. Because the amount of metal used to manufacture the car almost reached 80% of other materials used. But a shift began to occur. The most significant example found on the race car, call F1.

Car body is usually made of metal, but replaced with other materials. It is clear that race car requires a light weight. Materials suitable for construction is no longer metallic. Material in the form of fiber to be the best current alternative materials, easily shaped, and has the strength and stiffness which turned out better than metal. Such material is commonly called fiber reinforced plastics (FRP).

Reinforced Materials

FRP has been widely used in the racing world. The main reason as mentioned above is the ease of this material to be formed. Curve model can easily be made without a difficult process. The tools used are also not very specific. Even here also much needed individual expertise to form the desired design, think like an expert maker cleaver. Because the process is relatively easy and simple tools that are used, then the cost can be suppressed. Primarily, because the power is exactly like a racing car makers.

Of FRP family there are some descendants who actually is not foreign to the ear. Call of glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) or known by the nickname of fiber glass. This material has been found since the second world war. The material is easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and the strong calculated weight ratio. In 1960 this material has been used for racing cars.

The second material is aramid fiber. Originally derived from aromatic polyamide bond. Aramid still in touch with nylon, but have slightly different chemical composition. The advantages of these materials contained on a high strength, as well as rigidity but relatively low densities. In addition the level of resistance to abrasion low.

Carbon fiber material so the next alternative. Initially this material is used in the base material of filament bulbs (incandescent lamps). Later developed into the materials used in aircraft structures and continues in the racing world. Carbon fiber is formed from the thermal treatment of organic material containing carbon. With heat treatment to 3,000 º C is very high specific stiffness character. Stiffness associated with the density. Performance is highly resistant to corrosion or fatigue symptoms (fatigue). Still, on some carbon fiber contained characters, in particular resistance to impact, which is lower than the aramid or glass fibers.

Carbon Kevlar

From the material above there are many more descendents. His character is determined by combining with other chemical elements. From here can be produced better materials or suitable to the needs. The combination is extremely varied and have different advantages. For example carbon kevlar which have high strength to absorb the collision or fire resistant.

This material is widely used in the racing world, for example for the racing suit, so that when an accident which caused the fire, the drivers can survive in the clothing until a certain time. Carbon kevlar are also used for bullet-proof clothes. Because it is elastic enough, can reduce carbon kevlar bullet attack.

In the world of modified cars in the country, began to widely used carbon kevlar. Slowly plate originally attached to the body left out. The reason is because this material is relatively light, where the weight is one third the weight plate. Its strength is also very calculated. So many cars now use it with a new pretext, such as safety issues.

In addition to the above advantages, style and color that is displayed can beautify the appearance. Without a mixture of resins used as a reinforcing material, the carbon kevlar material can coat the interior. This material is actually like ordinary cloth, pliable and easily shaped to adjust the design. Carbon kevlar is also widely used to coat the dashboard or steering wheel. The result is no less beautiful than other materials.

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