SAE International Offers New Learning Academy on Automotive Composites

SAE International's new "Automotive Composites Technology Engineering Academy" will provide an overview of different composite materials in terms of material types such as carbon, glass and natural fibers. The focus, however, will be on carbon fiber processes, typical applications, benefits and shortcomings and limitations. Participants will become familiar with different composites terminology, quality issues, costs and automotive market needs and will gain a holistic understanding of automotive carbon fiber applications.

The Academy will run Oct. 22-26, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., at SAE International's Automotive Headquarters in Troy, Mich.

With the significant weight savings associated with composites, it is essential for automotive engineers to become knowledgeable about this technology which may revolutionize the way carbon fiber is used in automobiles and ultimately be instrumental in meeting government mandates for fuel economy.

By attending this course, participants will be able to:
Describe the benefits of composites technology in automotive weight savings applications,
Choose composites manufacturing processes that can influence quality,
Identify engineering modeling methodologies for composite material and structural performance,
Specify common methods for characterization of anisotropic composite materials,
Evaluate the latest developments in non-destructive test methods for composite materials and structures,
Identify and contrast damage and crush characteristics for composites vs. metals,
Identify assessment approaches to durability in composites,
Identify recent developments and applications of composites in the automotive industry,
Summarize the opportunities for weight savings with composites.