MATERIAL WORLD
Save for catastrophic mechanical failure, one of the single biggest contributing factors to poor automotive performance is excessive weight (we’re talking about the car, not your recently gained ‘lockdown padding’!). When all is said and done, it doesn’t matter how much power your Porsche is putting out, a lighter car will be faster than the same specification vehicle carrying extra bulk. Removing weight and retaining strength in a car, however, is no mean feat. This is why composites, including Kevlar, carbon-fibre and fibreglass have proved immensely popular in recent years.
These materials are much lighter than steel and aluminium, but offer excellent strength-to-weight properties. There are, of course, variables affecting the characteristics of each composite; the materials used, manufacturing processes, the number of layers and the choice of resin will all have a dramatic effect on the final product. Read on to discover more about wicked weaves and the ways they’re moulded.
WHAT IS A COMPOSITE?
A composite is a material combining two or more substances. These ingredients are selected for their different qualities, giving the finished composite its characteristics. One of the simplest composite materials is
