When talking about the bodywork of a car, we can imagine those models that we like so much and catch our attention. It is one of the fundamental pieces of these vehicles to charm and hook customers around the world. However, its function goes far beyond just being a sales hook.
The bodywork is the crucial structure that allows building the cabin where the passengers and the cargo will be housed. In addition, it allows giving it an aesthetic focused on providing aerodynamic mobility and certain functionality. Something we should know is that many different models start from the same chassis or platform for current cars.
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What materials are used in the automotive industry?
The materials used for the bodywork of a car today are extremely diverse. This is because each of them has a unique set of advantages, qualities or characteristics that must be used to achieve specific construction objectives.
As a result, it is common to find structures or bodyworks that combine a large number of qualities, which adapt to a wide diversity of customers and needs.
This method of vehicle construction fundamentally responds to the need to reduce weight, while increasing resistance and overall safety through the use of lighter materials, without sacrificing the ideal strength that can provide safety to the driver and other passengers.
Main materials used in car bodywork
As time has passed, different alloys and metals have gained popularity and name due to the characteristics they offer for cars. However, the following are the most used body materials in recent years:
Steel, along with alloys with iron content.
The aluminum alloys.
Alloys with a concentration of magnesium.
Plastics and their alloys, with or without reinforcement.
Thermosetting resins made of glass or fiberglass or carbon.
Although there is a wide range of options, steel is the most used and traditional material for car bodies, followed by plastic, aluminum and fiberglass, which is currently out of use in utility vehicles.
However, some high-end cars are beginning to incorporate magnesium and carbon fiber components to provide higher level aerodynamic features.
Function of these materials in the industry
Regarding the function of each material, steel is found in the vast majority of cars, especially in low and medium range ones. Some aluminum parts, like the hood, are also common in vehicles in this price range.
However, when it comes to high-end vehicles, aluminum gains prominence, so there are vehicles on the market with bodies made mostly of aluminum, like the Audi TT, the Audi Q7 or the Range Rover Evoque.
Another aspect to consider when talking about these materials are the tires. To draw attention to the car's wheels, the rims can be made of forged steel, adorned with plastic hubcaps or protected with aluminum or magnesium.
The use of various materials for car bodywork responds to the need of manufacturers to adapt to the specific functions of each piece of the vehicle. In addition to ensuring the safe manufacture of vehicles.
On the other hand, strict anti-pollution regulations require reducing the weight of vehicles, which has resulted in the introduction of new metal alloys and synthetic materials. This variety requires manufacturers to have deeper knowledge to properly work with the different alloys.
At Ulbrinox we have more than 25 years of experience working with different alloys and materials such as aluminum and stainless steel. Check out our products or request a quote on this website! We are the national supplier with global solutions.
