Research into the manufacture of lightweight automobiles is driven by the need to reduce fuel consumption to preserve dwindling hydrocarbon resources without compromising other attributes such as safety, performance, recyclability and cost. Materials, design and manufacturing for lightweight vehicles will make it easier for engineers to not only learn about the materials being considered for lightweight automobiles, but also to compare their characteristics and properties.Part one discusses materials for lightweight automotive structures with chapters on advanced steels for lightweight automotive structures, aluminium alloys, magnesium alloys for lightweight powertrains and automotive structures, thermoplastics and thermoplastic matrix composites and thermoset matrix composites for lightweight automotive structures. Part two reviews manufacturing and design of lightweight automotive structures covering topics such as manufacturing processes for light alloys, joining for lightweight vehicles, recycling and lifecycle issues and crashworthiness design for lightweight vehicles.With its distinguished editor and renowned team of contributors, Materials, design and manufacturing for lightweight vehicles is a standard reference for practicing engineers involved in the design and material selection for motor vehicle bodies and components as well as material scientists, environmental scientists, policy makers, car companies and automotive component manufacturers. - Provides a comprehensive analysis of the materials being used for the manufacture of lightweight vehicles whilst comparing characteristics and properties - Examines crashworthiness design issues for lightweight vehicles and further emphasises the development of lightweight vehicles without compromising safety considerations and performance - Explores the manufacturing process for light alloys including metal forming processes for automotive applications

Lightweight alloys have become of great importance in engineering for construction of transportation equipment. At present, the metals that serve as the base of the principal light alloys are aluminum and magnesium. One of the most important lightweight alloys are the aluminum alloys in use for several applications (structural components wrought aluminum alloys, parts and plates). However, some casting parts that have low cost of production play important role in aircraft parts. Magnesium and its alloys are among the lightest of all metals and the sixth most abundant metal on earth. Magnesium is ductile and the most machinable of all metals. Many of these light weight alloys have appropriately high strength to warrant their use for structural purposes, and as a result of their use, the total weight of transportation equipment has been considerably decreased.

There is growing interest in light metallic alloys for a wide number of applications owing to their processing efficiency, processability, long service life, and environmental sustainability. Aluminum, magnesium, and titanium alloys are addressed in this Special Issue, however, the predominant role played by aluminum. The collection of papers published here covers a wide range of topics that generally characterize the performance of the alloys after manufacturing by conventional and innovative processing routes.

The goal of Interface Science and Composites is to facilitate the manufacture of technological materials with optimized properties on the basis of a comprehensive understanding of the molecular structure of interfaces and their resulting influence on composite materials processes. From the early development of composites of various natures, the optimization of the interface has been of major importance. While there are many reference books available on composites, few deal specifically with the science and mechanics of the interface of materials and composites. Further, many recent advances in composite interfaces are scattered across the literature and are here assembled in a readily accessible form, bringing together recent developments in the field, both from the materials science and mechanics perspective, in a single convenient volume. The central theme of the book is tailoring the interface science of composites to optimize the basic physical principles rather than on the use of materials and the mechanical performance and structural integrity of composites with enhanced strength/stiffness and fracture toughness (or specific fracture resistance). It also deals mainly with interfaces in advanced composites made from high-performance fibers, such as glass, carbon, aramid, and some inorganic fibers, and matrix materials encompassing polymers, carbon, metals/alloys, and ceramics. Includes chapter on the development of a nanolevel dispersion of graphene particles in a polymer matrix Focus on tailoring the interface science of composites to optimize the basic physical principles Covers mainly interfaces in advanced composites made from high performance fibers