Nanocomposites for vehicle structural applications

Advancements in the nanotechnology industry promise to offer improvements in capabilities across a spectrum of applications. This is of immense strategic importance to the high performance sector which has historically leveraged technological advances. The uses of polymer nanocomposites in structures have several predictable impacts on structural design and applications, primarily by providing a safer, faster, and eventually cheaper transportation in the future. In this chapter, special attention is focused on the reinforcement of key properties of polymer nanocomposites for potential high performance structural applications. Further insight is provided on developments in both theoretical and experimental investigations providing valuable fundamental elements in strength and stiffness, impact resistant and energy absorption performance, thermal properties, age and durability performance and structural health monitoring of polymer nanocomposites for vehicular structural needs. A brief overview of modeling and simulation of nano-reinforced materials is also given reflecting its importance in vehicular structures.