In the automotive industry’s push toward energy conservation, emission reduction, and lightweight design, the advantages of carbon fiber composite materials in automotive parts are becoming increasingly evident. Nowadays, carbon fiber composite materials are being widely used in the production of various automotive components, including brake pads, drive shafts, body panels, fuel tanks, and battery enclosures. Looking ahead to the development trends in the automotive sector, the application of carbon fiber composite materials in automotive parts is expected to grow significantly, with broad prospects. Below is an analysis of specific application scenarios.
Carbon fiber composite materials are being applied in automotive battery enclosures. As a key power component of new energy vehicles, power batteries are protected by battery enclosures, which are typically installed on the underside of vehicles to shield lithium batteries from external corrosion and damage. Traditional battery enclosures made of metal can increase the weight of new energy vehicles, thereby reducing their range. In contrast, carbon fiber composite materials offer lightweight and high-strength properties. Using them to manufacture automotive battery enclosures achieves significant weight reduction. Additionally, the excellent characteristics of carbon fiber composites, such as corrosion resistance, low creep, and anti-aging properties, provide robust protection for batteries.
Carbon fiber composite materials are also used in car seats. The internal support structures of conventional car seats are predominantly steel-based, which can be relatively heavy. The shock-absorbing devices within seats are mostly springs, which are prone to rust over time, leading to reduced shock absorption performance and significant resource waste. Carbon fiber composite seat frames boast advantages like impact resistance, corrosion resistance, high strength, and fatigue resistance. They not only meet the demands of complex operating conditions but also enhance safety.
Carbon fiber composite materials can be utilized to manufacture car rearview mirror housings. While the weight reduction benefit is not substantial, the primary purpose is to cater to customer demand for carbon fiber automotive products and enhance aesthetics. Similar applications include carbon fiber license plate frames and interior components.
Carbon fiber composite materials excel in anti-collision beams and energy absorption boxes. These components are part of the bumper system designed to absorb energy during collisions. Traditional anti-collision beams and energy absorption boxes are often made of metal materials such as steel and aluminum, which limit vehicle lightweighting. Carbon fiber composite materials demonstrate exceptional energy absorption rates during collisions, surpassing those of steel, aluminum, and other materials by over four times. This makes them ideal for vehicle components prone to collisions, such as front anti-collision beams and energy absorption boxes. Using carbon fiber materials for automotive energy absorption boxes reduces component weight by 60%–80% compared to traditional metal materials. In low-speed collisions, elastic deformation becomes the primary deformation mode, thereby improving energy absorption efficiency.
