Trucking is one of the most critical industries in the US, playing a crucial role in every key supply chain, from medical to defense. The industry is constantly searching for ways of improving overall vehicle efficiencies without compromising long life cycles. For example, reducing weight provides fuel savings which can be converted into better efficiency or increased cargo loads, and materials which provide better thermal insulation can further improve fuel efficiency. This whitepaper explores how using composites in truck and trailer bodies can help the American trucking industry improve its fuel efficiency and transport more cargo.
Traditionally, truck and trailer manufacturers use extruded aluminum profiles in their designs because the price per kilo is less than composites like carbon fiber, glass fiber, or hybrid composites. However, what is considered less often is the overall cost of ownership of composite profiles compared to aluminum for truck bodies and trailers. Swapping out steel and aluminum parts in truck bodies and trailers with composite parts provides several key advantages, such as weight savings, improved corrosion resistance, and improved thermal insulation.
Read the full feature article in the MAG Online Library here
