Lightweight Materials for Automobiles

This paper deals with vehicle lightweighting, as a strategy to help attain sustainability in the automotive industry by facilitating improved fuel economy. We reviewed innovative materials appropriate for the manufacturing of low-carbon vehicles (LCVs), such as advanced high-strength steel (AHSS), aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, as well as novel composite materials commonly used for lightweight construction applications. Research shows that vehicle curb weight greatly affects fuel consumption. Primary weight reduction refers to body-in-white (BIW), which can subsequently lead to secondary weight reductions in terms of engine and powertrain size. This review takes into account the environmental aspect of the car body material and the possibility of closed-loop recycling, especially for aluminum and magnesium alloys.