Aluminium and carbon fibre: The perfect diet for a car

Aptera body stands on a scale and a hand with a hammer

Aluminium is a lightweight metal that has high strength and corrosion resistance. It is often used in the aerospace and automotive industries. Aluminium has the advantage that it is easy to process and recycle. However, aluminium also has some disadvantages, such as lower stiffness and higher thermal expansion than steel.


Carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) are composite materials that consist of carbon fibers and a plastic matrix. They are characterized by high specific strength and rigidity, i.e. they are very light and stable. CFRPs are also used in the aerospace and automotive industries, particularly for high-performance vehicles.

CFRP fibers have the advantage that they are much lighter than all other materials due to their high (tensile) strength and can be used in many different ways for the desired purposes due to the fiber structure. High rigidity through multi-layer weaving or as rods for reinforcements. Perfect resistance to environmental influences and no change.


However, CFRPs also currently have There are still some disadvantages, such as higher costs in (mass) production development, including machines, and also because of the necessary recycling capability in the process and in repairs.


The comparison of aluminum and CFRP for car body production depends on various factors, such as the design, the area of application and the requirements of the vehicle.


It's all in the mix, and Aptera combines both materials with their advantages in the right places. High energy absorption in the crash areas in the front section in aluminum and floor, and the high-security cell, keyword BinC in CFRP, as a survival space for the passengers in the worst accident scenarios in the lightest version. Formula 1 & E showed the way, the manufacturer CPC is now doing it for the Aptera too.


The Aptera BinC passenger cell is as simple as possible, up to seven times more stable than, for example, steel, many times cheaper than one made of magnesium or just cheaper and lighter than one made of aluminum. If you do it right, like Aptera with CPC.

About the Author

Lehre Nachrichtengerätemechaniker & Funkelektroniker

8 Jahre Bundeswehr, Heeresflieger, Pilot & Kommandant auf Bo 105 PAH, danach PPL-A C172, PA28, DR400

Studium Dipl. Ing. (FH) Kommunikations & Hochfrequenztechnik

27 Jahre Lufthansa Technik AG, Weight & Balance Softwareingenieur "LoadControl" PC-Programme für die Bodenabfertigung & Weight & Balance Ingenieur zu Load Control Themen im Lufthansa Konzern.

25 Jahre Ehemann einer leitenden Greenpeacerin, daher schon immer sehr nahe an allen Technikthemen von Greenpeace dran. Daher meine besondere Zuwendung an allen Themen betreffend der Energiewende und Expertise.

Und daher keine Zeit für mein eigentliches Hobby, mein Selbstbauflugzeug nach 16 Jahren endlich mal fertig zu stellen. Noch keine Elektrifizierung in Sicht, was ich neben neuen Motoroptionen mal gehofft hatte. Hoffnungsschimmer, sind die jetzt aufkommende neue Batterien und Fertigungstechnologien.

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