What is carbon fiber made from? Carbon fiber is a composite material that is made of long strings of molecules attached together by carbon atoms and resin. The majority of carbon fibers produced are derived from polyacrylonitrile (PAN). The other 10% is composed of rayon or petroleum pitch. As a result, carbon fiber is a high-performance…
Heat transfer is a branch of thermal engineering that deals with the production, utilization, transformation, and interchange of thermal energy caused by variations in temperature, leading to changes in temperature distribution. The field of transport phenomena explores the transfer of momentum, energy, and mass through conduction, convection, and radiation. Heat Transfer Background In the early…
Solidification of metal is a complex process where molten metals and alloys turn into solid forms. It includes dendrite formation, compositional segregation, zone formation in the final casting structure, and the creation of microporosity due to shrinkage. What is Solidification Solidification refers to the process of a substance changing from a liquid to a solid…
Metalworking is the art of shaping metals into various tools, equipment parts, and structures. It involves forming, cutting, and joining metal pieces using techniques like welding, casting, and molding. In the industrial age, metalworking has developed into a sophisticated science. The industrial revolution has led to exponential growth in the scale of modern metalworking processes,…
Spot welding, also known as resistance spot welding, is a type of resistance welding. It is mainly used to join two or more metal sheets by applying pressure and heat from an electric current to the weld area. Spot welding is extensively used in the automotive industry to create strong and aesthetically pleasing welds. RSW…
What are common engineering materials and why are they important? Throughout history, the significant accomplishments of each era have consistently revolved around the development of new materials, playing a pivotal role in the advancement, prosperity, safety, and overall well-being of humanity. Since the dawn of civilization, it has consistently been the introduction of innovative materials…
Crashworthiness refers to a structure’s ability to reduce the number of fatal and serious injuries that occur in an impact/ accident. Most commonly assessed in aviation and automotive safety. Various criteria determine crash safety, depending on impact type and vehicle. Evaluation can be performed through finite element analysis which is a form of computer-aided engineering…
Modern cars have become significantly heavier due to a combination of safety requirements, consumer demands, and technological advancements. Enhanced safety features, including reinforced body structures and advanced systems, have added considerable weight to vehicles. Additionally, comfort and convenience features such as air conditioning, infotainment systems, and electric windows further contribute to mass increases. The integration…
What is a bucket-style seat? One of the more important interior components of a vehicle is the seat. The seat is unique because it is one of the 4 components a driver will interact with every time they drive a vehicle. Seats are in constant contact with the user while operating a vehicle, making seat…
Background of Chevrolet Corvette: The first generation (C1) Chevrolet Corvette made its official debut on January 17, 1953, making it one of the longest-running nameplates in automotive history. The Corvette was the first American-made sports car and was created to compete with the European sports cars which the American soldiers became accustomed to while overseas…