Lightweight hybrid composite b-pillars for automotive applications; Flexural performance evaluation
An automobile’s B-pillars are specifically intended to effectively absorb collision energy while minimizing deformation to ensure minimal intrusion into the vehicle’s interior. This study investigates the development of automotive B-pillars using different composite materials to enhance structural p...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Conference or Workshop Item |
| Language: | English |
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IOP Publishing
2025
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45783/ |
| _version_ | 1848827509408268288 |
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| author | M. I., Ibrahim Mohd Ruzaimi, Mat Rejab Nasrul Azuan, Alang M. F., Rani |
| author_facet | M. I., Ibrahim Mohd Ruzaimi, Mat Rejab Nasrul Azuan, Alang M. F., Rani |
| author_sort | M. I., Ibrahim |
| building | UMP Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | An automobile’s B-pillars are specifically intended to effectively absorb collision energy while minimizing deformation to ensure minimal intrusion into the vehicle’s interior. This study investigates the development of automotive B-pillars using different composite materials to enhance structural property and mechanical performance, aiming to reduce component weight as an alternative to traditional steel. Specifically three combinations of hybrid composite B-pillars were fabricated using 3 layers of carbon fibre as base material. The components were reinforced at the critical area with different and hybrid configurations: two aramid fibre interlayers, two glass fibre interlayers, and a hybrid patch comprising carbon and glass fibre layers. Fabrication process employed a conventional hand lay-up technique producing a full-size B-pillar of an A-segment vehicle. Weight reduction of the fabricated composite-based pillars is between 33% to 56% lighter than original steel pillar. Experimental three-point flexural tests with incorporation of strain gauges were conducted to evaluate flexural characteristics and strain responses. Results indicate that interlayer-reinforced composite pillars demonstrated superior flexural resistance compared to lightest patch-reinforced pillar, which exhibited lower energy absorption capabilities. The CGCGC configuration shows the greatest force resistance, with a peak force only 2% higher than the CACAC. Additionally, CGCGC withstands a 9% greater displacement before failure. Strain measurements confirm the observed load-displacement behaviours across all samples. The CGCGC hybrid B-pillar demonstrates significant potential for future applications, offering a 43% weight reduction and a 50% increase in energy absorption. This research highlights the viability of composite materials, particularly those utilizing interlayer hybrids, as robust and lightweight alternatives to steel for automotive B-pillar applications. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T04:01:51Z |
| format | Conference or Workshop Item |
| id | ump-45783 |
| institution | Universiti Malaysia Pahang |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T04:01:51Z |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | IOP Publishing |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | ump-457832025-10-01T02:53:10Z https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45783/ Lightweight hybrid composite b-pillars for automotive applications; Flexural performance evaluation M. I., Ibrahim Mohd Ruzaimi, Mat Rejab Nasrul Azuan, Alang M. F., Rani T Technology (General) TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics An automobile’s B-pillars are specifically intended to effectively absorb collision energy while minimizing deformation to ensure minimal intrusion into the vehicle’s interior. This study investigates the development of automotive B-pillars using different composite materials to enhance structural property and mechanical performance, aiming to reduce component weight as an alternative to traditional steel. Specifically three combinations of hybrid composite B-pillars were fabricated using 3 layers of carbon fibre as base material. The components were reinforced at the critical area with different and hybrid configurations: two aramid fibre interlayers, two glass fibre interlayers, and a hybrid patch comprising carbon and glass fibre layers. Fabrication process employed a conventional hand lay-up technique producing a full-size B-pillar of an A-segment vehicle. Weight reduction of the fabricated composite-based pillars is between 33% to 56% lighter than original steel pillar. Experimental three-point flexural tests with incorporation of strain gauges were conducted to evaluate flexural characteristics and strain responses. Results indicate that interlayer-reinforced composite pillars demonstrated superior flexural resistance compared to lightest patch-reinforced pillar, which exhibited lower energy absorption capabilities. The CGCGC configuration shows the greatest force resistance, with a peak force only 2% higher than the CACAC. Additionally, CGCGC withstands a 9% greater displacement before failure. Strain measurements confirm the observed load-displacement behaviours across all samples. The CGCGC hybrid B-pillar demonstrates significant potential for future applications, offering a 43% weight reduction and a 50% increase in energy absorption. This research highlights the viability of composite materials, particularly those utilizing interlayer hybrids, as robust and lightweight alternatives to steel for automotive B-pillar applications. IOP Publishing 2025 Conference or Workshop Item PeerReviewed pdf en cc_by_4 https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45783/1/Lightweight%20hybrid%20composite%20b-pillars%20for%20automotive%20applications.pdf M. I., Ibrahim and Mohd Ruzaimi, Mat Rejab and Nasrul Azuan, Alang and M. F., Rani (2025) Lightweight hybrid composite b-pillars for automotive applications; Flexural performance evaluation. In: Journal of Physics: Conference Series. 3rd International Postgraduate Conference on Mechanical Engineering 2024, IPCME 2024 , 3 October 2024 , Virtual, Online. pp. 1-12., 2933 (012002). ISSN 1742-6588 (print); 1742-6596 (online) (Published) https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2933/1/012002 |
| spellingShingle | T Technology (General) TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics M. I., Ibrahim Mohd Ruzaimi, Mat Rejab Nasrul Azuan, Alang M. F., Rani Lightweight hybrid composite b-pillars for automotive applications; Flexural performance evaluation |
| title | Lightweight hybrid composite b-pillars for automotive applications; Flexural performance evaluation |
| title_full | Lightweight hybrid composite b-pillars for automotive applications; Flexural performance evaluation |
| title_fullStr | Lightweight hybrid composite b-pillars for automotive applications; Flexural performance evaluation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lightweight hybrid composite b-pillars for automotive applications; Flexural performance evaluation |
| title_short | Lightweight hybrid composite b-pillars for automotive applications; Flexural performance evaluation |
| title_sort | lightweight hybrid composite b-pillars for automotive applications; flexural performance evaluation |
| topic | T Technology (General) TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics |
| url | https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45783/ https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45783/ |