Fiberglass and Composite Materials

For many years, race cars of all types have been constructed with lightweight materials other than aluminium or steel. These include fibreglass, polymers, carbon fibre, kevlar and reinforced plastics. The application of this technology is also becoming more widely used on street cars as stronger materials, are developed, costs become lower and techniques are simplified. But the most widespread automotive application is still racing, and the equipment and technology available today now make it possible for racers to repair, and even construct their own lightweight body panels using these mateials. This text is a comprehensive technical handbook on the most current technology behind fibreglass and other composite materials. It should be of interest to racing or automotive enthusiasts as well as the automotive engineering or design students and professionals.