Composites reinvent automotive
To celebrate National Composites Week, CW shares some of the latest innovations in automotive composites, from new process technologies to novel commercial applications.
.jpg;width=70;height=70;mode=crop;format=webp)
Source | Porsche, Alia Mentis, SABIC, Aptera
Composite materials have proven their advantages — especially their light weight, durability, corrosion resistance, and tunability compared to traditional metals — in a variety of automotive applications from high-end luxury vehicles to high-performance race vehicles to high-volume commercial applications.
Every day of National Composites Week, CW is highlighting content about a different end market in which composites are “reinventing” the industry and driving innovation. See yesterday’s “Composites reinvent aerospace, AAM and space” and follow along the rest of this week for more.
What are some of the latest ways composites are reinventing the automotive industry?
Bio-inspired rollover cage
Porsche worked with Action Composites to design and manufacture an innovative carbon fiber safety cage option to lightweight one of its series race vehicles, built in a one-shot compression molding process.
Keys to success? A multi-tier, bio-inspired design approach.
Innovations in automotive body panels
CW contributing writer Peggy Malnati sheds light on the history of automotive composite body panels — and their challenges — and explains a versatile sandwich panel technology developed to solve decades-long exterior automotive challenge.
Want more content and the latest news about composites technology used in the automotive industry, or in other end markets? Visit CW’s Markets page.
About National Composites Week
The goal of National Composites Week (NCW) is to celebrate and bring attention to the ways that composite materials and composites manufacturing contribute to the products and structures that shape the American manufacturing landscape today.
NCW takes place each year in the final week of August and celebrates a specific theme.
The 2024 theme was Composites Reinvent the World. See what companies and individuals shared on LinkedIn and read more from the CW editorial team:
Related Content
Swancor applies EzCiclo recycling resin to Liux EV prototype
Cooperation with Spanish automotive startup has achieved automotive parts comprising EzCiclo RH512 thermoset resin and linen fiber that can be fully separated, adjusted and returned into circularity.
Read More
Trinseo demonstrates DLFT, PC for electric vehicle battery packs
The DLFT production process enhances polycarbonate’s performance qualities through high thermal stability that next-gen battery packs demand.
Read More
AZL launches three Joint Partner Projects, welcomes composites leaders participation
New initiatives kicking off mid-July 2025 explore fire testing safety for EV battery cases, holistic TPC pressure vessel strategies and exploring and quantifying composites in space and defense.
Read More
On the radar: Innovations in composite battery enclosures
A look at recently reported design, material and process innovations for composites-intensive battery enclosures, developed to support the ramp-up of EV and AAM vehicles.
Read MoreRead Next
How are you celebrating National Composites Week?
The composites industry will be shining a light on the importance of composites this Aug. 26-30, 2024. Save the date, and help us promote how #CompositesReinventTheWorld.
Read More
Composites reinvent aerospace, AAM and space
Celebrating National Composites Week, CW shares ways in which composites continue to make a significant impact in aerospace and space market developments.
Read More
Dialing in composites performance via dynamic digital twins
Sport Dynamics Lab uses Flexdynamics testing, digital models and AI tools to compare designs, materials and systems, enabling optimization with potential for propellers, drones and vibrational structures.
Read More
