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      The Development of a Lightweight Electric Vehicle Chassis and Investigation into the Suitability of TiAl for Automotive Applications

      Lovatt, Carl Ryan
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      Lovatt, C. R. (2008). The Development of a Lightweight Electric Vehicle Chassis and Investigation into the Suitability of TiAl for Automotive Applications (Thesis, Master of Engineering (ME)). The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10289/2524
      Permanent Research Commons link: https://hdl.handle.net/10289/2524
      Abstract
      A lightweight chassis for a battery electric vehicle being developed at the University of Waikato was required. The chassis was designed around a predetermined body shape and suspension setup. A chassis, built from 20mm thick aluminium honeycomb sandwich panel, was designed and built to LVVTA standards allowing the car to be driven on public roads. The chassis weighs a little over a third the mass of a mass production car chassis. The car has been driven over 1800km with only one minor problem, indicating the chassis is reliable and well suited to its purpose.

      Titanium aluminide properties were researched to identify where titanium aluminides could be used in an automobile. Titanium aluminides have a specific strength and stiffness near to steel yet only half the density making it an ideal replacement for steel components. Automotive applications identified that could benefit from the use of TiAl include valves, brake rotors and inside 'in-wheel' electric motors.
      Date
      2008
      Type
      Thesis
      Degree Name
      Master of Engineering (ME)
      Publisher
      The University of Waikato
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      All items in Research Commons are provided for private study and research purposes and are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated.
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      • Masters Degree Theses [2388]
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