I remembered that in class we saw a few samples of shape-memory alloys, which return to their cold-forged shape when heated up. I was wondering if it would be possible to use these metals in vehicle bodies in areas that are statistically prone to dents, such as bumper corners or doors. These could perhaps be layered along the inside of a car’s body along locations prone to dents. If a dent were to occur in one of these areas, then the dent could perhaps be fixed by heating the layer of memory shape alloy, which would in turn pop out the dent on the vehicle. This is obviously a wild idea that came out of the depths of my mind, but do you guys think this could actually work? I know the samples we saw in class were small wires, but could strips or sheets of shape-memory alloys be created? Would they be strong enough to pop out dents on vehicle bodies?
Thursday, April 26, 2012
A POTENTIALLY CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE TO CAR DENT REPAIR post by Luis Seminario
Nobody likes it when their car is
hit by another car or foreign object that results in a dent. Some dents are
minor and can be easily popped back out, but others are serious and require
expensive replacements or shop work. Last year someone backed into my car in my
apartment complex parking lot and left a huge dent around my license plate
area. I tried popping the dent out but there was damage done to the car’s body
that would require more than brute force to fix.
I remembered that in class we saw a few samples of shape-memory alloys, which return to their cold-forged shape when heated up. I was wondering if it would be possible to use these metals in vehicle bodies in areas that are statistically prone to dents, such as bumper corners or doors. These could perhaps be layered along the inside of a car’s body along locations prone to dents. If a dent were to occur in one of these areas, then the dent could perhaps be fixed by heating the layer of memory shape alloy, which would in turn pop out the dent on the vehicle. This is obviously a wild idea that came out of the depths of my mind, but do you guys think this could actually work? I know the samples we saw in class were small wires, but could strips or sheets of shape-memory alloys be created? Would they be strong enough to pop out dents on vehicle bodies?
I remembered that in class we saw a few samples of shape-memory alloys, which return to their cold-forged shape when heated up. I was wondering if it would be possible to use these metals in vehicle bodies in areas that are statistically prone to dents, such as bumper corners or doors. These could perhaps be layered along the inside of a car’s body along locations prone to dents. If a dent were to occur in one of these areas, then the dent could perhaps be fixed by heating the layer of memory shape alloy, which would in turn pop out the dent on the vehicle. This is obviously a wild idea that came out of the depths of my mind, but do you guys think this could actually work? I know the samples we saw in class were small wires, but could strips or sheets of shape-memory alloys be created? Would they be strong enough to pop out dents on vehicle bodies?
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It seams like current memory alloys would be to soft. They seem pretty easy to bend which means it would be way easier to damage them. Also cars can get pretty hot during the summer which might cause the memory alloy to set into a new position. I think stronger memory alloys would have to be researched if they were to be used in car bodies
ReplyDeleteThey could be applicable to cars, but when something is struck quickly and hard, it tends to get micro cracks within the material. With multiple layers of a material that react differently to stress, I don't think it would be a very effective way of fixing dents because the way the two layers are stuck together would be changed or broken.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alex that the shape memory alloy could potentially be broken due to quick, intense stress. However, I see potential in not making the body out of the alloy, but possibly layering it behind. The body of a car really isn't that strong, so I think that the shape memory alloy could have enough power to force out dents if installed correctly.
ReplyDeleteI think that the only reason they are making car bodies from fibers and other soft material is for two reasons. first is that they are cheap and secondly is because those materials are generally light in weight, which also implies less gas money because it will need less force to move it. back in the days they used steel to make car bodies. which was then proven to be a huge waist of money. although it was much safer than materials they use now a days still cost and performance were two good reasons to change it. coming back to the post main question. I think memory shape alloy can not be used for the same reasons(its more expensive and more heavy) one more thing is that car engines produces a great amount of heat that will of course have an effect on the car body if it is made from a material that is that sensitive to heat.
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