Development of a new car C-pillar made of sandwich structures

This article presents the experimental-numerical analysis carried out in order to achieve a new automotive component, consisting of a C-pillar constituted by sandwich structure made of steel skins and a rigid foam core. The objective was to achieve a lighter component than the corresponding reference configuration, yet fulfilling mechanical requirements related to stiffness and strength. In fact, the new C-pillar should be at least stiffer and stronger than the reference component. In addition, the final price of the new C-pillar should be in the same range as the price of the initial component, which made it impossible to apply expensive materials such as carbon fiber composite materials.

Automated summary

This article presents an experimental-numerical analysis on a new automotive component with a sandwich structure made of steel skins and a rigid foam core. The objective was to achieve a lighter yet stiffer and stronger C-pillar within the same price range as the reference component.