Simulation and Experimental Study of Modern Fiber Metal Laminate Panels Used in Auto Body to Reduce Vehicle Weight

Automobile body plays crucial role in preventing the collision energy transfer in severe accidents to the passengers. If the collision energy is dissipated or saved in bumper or chassis, the amount of damage to the occupants would be minimized. Using novel laminated panel (Fiber Metal Laminate) in auto body, and considering the characteristics such as high energy absorption, strength, high dent resistance, and very light weight, has caused significant reduction in injury to the car passengers. One of the major plans in auto industry is to lessen emission and fuel consumption using light weight material in auto body, which is recently achievable by replacing multi light layers with single metal layer panels, in auto body. These panels are usually made of two thin metal layers surrounding the core composite. The first point regarding panels is their strength against depression which is so called Dent Resistance. Weight reduction of panels should not sacrifice dent resistance of panels. The purpose of this paper is to investigate fiber metal laminate panels, dent resistance analysis and the amount of energy absorption of these panels, in order to implement in auto body. Strength, high dent resistance, and very light weight of such panels may lead into substantial reduction in crash injuries during car accidents.