Johann Maaß

Intrinsic Lightweight Steel-Composite Hybrids for Structural Components

Multi-Material Design has been identified to be an important enabler for lightweight structures, especially with regards to the goals for the large-scale implementation of e-mobility concepts. A novel 3D-Hybrid technology has been developed to combine the advantages of metal and fibre-reinforced thermoplastics in one structural part. This leads to significant weight reduction in combination with an increase in functionality. Additionally, the amount of single parts can be reduced; these factors combined make the technology competitive with conventional steel-sheet design. Investigations on basic profiles showed the feasibility of the technology in single stage production processes and proved the superior performance of the structure compared to conventional design. Finally, a B-pillar demonstration structure was produced in a highly automated process and investigated in side-impact related component tests.