Aluminium Matrix Composite Materials for Vehicle Weight Reduction - Technology Refinement and Production Readiness

Two SME’s, Composite Metal Technology Ltd and C&J Antich & Sons Ltd, will bring their knowledge and skills in composite castings and technical weaving to a project with Jaguar Land Rover, to develop ground-breaking woven 3D reinforcement systems for automotive components. CO2 emissions can be directly addressed by using lightweight, low inertia materials, such as aluminium matrix composites (AMCs), which can combine the strength and stiffness of steels with the weight of aluminium. This work builds on a previous TSB project, which proved the feasibility of using AMC inserts, incorporating 3D woven fibre preforms, cast inside an aluminium component. The project will develop a suspension upright, along with design proposals for a number of other automotive components. The work will include optimisation studies for insert designs, to reduce cost and maximise functional efficiency, rendering the technology suitable for widespread adoption by the automotive industry.