ABSTRACT
Automobile companies are responding to progressively stringent fuel economy requirements by applying several lightweighting strategies. Consumers, on the other hand, demand improved interior comforts and advanced electronic systems for safety, navigation, and entertainment; most of which contribute to weight increase. New materials are being considered for incorporation into vehicle designs if they provide benefits at an affordable cost. To meet these challenges, automotive manufacturers are increasingly opting for lightweight metals with higher strength-to-weight ratios. A comprehensive review of the current and potential application for Al and Aluminum Matrix Composite (AMCs) in the automotive industry has been provided here and primarily discusses the tribological behavior of AMCs. The key benefits of application of AMCs in the transportation sector are lower fuel consumption, less noise, and lower airborne emissions. In an automobile body structure made from steel, the vehicle consists of stamped body panels spot welded together to which stamped steel fenders, doors, hood, and deck lid are bolted.
