Cars are motor vehicles that are driven on wheels. They are generally used to transport people from one location to another. Some cars are also used for transportation of goods.
Steel
Steel is the material of choice for the majority of car body panels. During the early part of the 20th century, steel was used in the construction of automobiles for its strength, durability and low cost. But as cars became more sophisticated, the industry began to explore new high strength steels.
These new materials provide benefits that go far beyond tensile strength. The microstructure of these new materials has been improved for fire resistance, dimensional stability, and sustainability. Combined with the ability to disperse the force of an impact, these new high-strength metals can be utilized in the automotive industry.
In the early 2000s, the tensile strength of the steels in use in car production averaged 500 megapascals. Although this number may seem impressive, it doesn’t come close to the tensile strength of modern high-strength steels.
Aluminum
Aluminum is the fastest evolving material in the automotive industry. Its use in automobiles has increased steadily over the last two decades.
Aluminum is light weight and has excellent corrosion resistance. The auto industry has used aluminum for car bodies, engine blocks, wheels, transmission castings, suspension joints, radiators, heat exchangers, and more.
The use of aluminum in automobiles is projected to increase at a rapid pace over the next decade. Increased demand for battery electric vehicles and motor housing will fuel the growth.
Several large manufacturers are developing new innovations in aluminum alloys. Among them are Novelis, Alcoa, Norsk Hydro, and Constellium.
Despite some early setbacks, the aluminum automotive industry has seen its share of market share grow over the past few years. Aluminum is not only lighter than steel, it is also recyclable.
Windshields
Windscreens are one of the most important parts of your vehicle. They help protect you from flying debris and also provide you with a panoramic view. Thankfully, today’s windscreens are more durable than their predecessors. The latest models are able to withstand the force of a crash, dissipating the impact throughout the chassis.
In fact, they are designed to be less susceptible to shattering than ordinary glass. That’s because they are comprised of two layers of glass, with a laminated material in between.
The trick is to keep the windshield clean and free from debris. Otherwise, a crack can develop and become more costly to repair.
The best way to keep your car windscreen in tiptop shape is to have it inspected by a trusted company. You may even want to have it replaced, if you’re planning on selling it soon.
Gasoline-powered cars
Gasoline-powered cars have long played a vital role in our nation’s culture and economy. They were fast, affordable and easy to maintain. The convenience of mass-produced cars gave consumers the flexibility they needed to go where they wanted.
However, gasoline-powered cars have also contributed to a variety of environmental problems, including air pollution, smog and climate change. In the past century, the United States and other countries have imposed bans on these vehicles.
The California Air Resources Board announced plans to phase out the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles in the state starting in 2035. It also set a goal to make at least 35% of new car models zero-emission by 2026.
Diesel cars
If you’re like most Americans, you’ve probably heard of diesel cars. They’re great for fuel efficiency, but the record on environmental impact isn’t all that great.
In the early 1990s, diesel cars accounted for 10% of the car fleets in Europe and Japan. As the oil crisis approached, the United States sold several hundred thousand diesel cars. These cars have a lot of power, but also a lot of carbon emissions.
There’s a lot of controversy over the environmental impact of these vehicles. The biggest concern is the excess black carbon emissions emitted by diesel engines.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified the exhaust of gasoline and diesel vehicles as “probably carcinogenic to humans” in 1988. This classification has been maintained for several decades.
Automobile industry in China
China’s automobile industry has been developing successfully in the last decades. It is one of the most influential driving forces of economic development in China. However, the Chinese automobile industry faces challenges in the present era. These challenges have to be addressed, especially since the country is about to enter the 21st century.
The first automobile industrial policy in China was initiated in 1987. The strategy was to protect the market, while giving competitive edge to local manufacturers. In 1994, the policy was extended. This allowed all new automotive plants to be built by Chinese workers, based on existing auto plants.
However, as the demand for automobile products soared, shortages in production capacity arose. In order to meet this demand, the government decentralized production. At the same time, provincial governments stepped in to facilitate further investment.