Journals / International Journal of Automotive Engineering and Technologies / 2026 / Cilt: 15 Sayı: 3

Study on the overmolding of aluminum with thermoplastics for automotive lightweight applications

Otomotiv Hafif Uygulamaları için Termoplastiklerle Alüminyumun Üst Kalıplama Çalışması

Biniyam Ayele Abebe(sakarya university of applied science)0000-0002-2935-4254
Recep Kılıç(SAKARYA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES)0000-0003-1580-1997
Pages
151–161
Publication Date
2026-09-27
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

To achieve the objective, FEM simulation of an open box model made up of aluminum alloy and PP with overall thickness of 2 mm was done using ANSYS.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:The current research aims to determine the influence of thermoplastic overmolding on the impact response of aluminum alloys.
📊
Key Findings & Data:To achieve the objective, FEM simulation of an open box model made up of aluminum alloy and PP with overall thickness of 2 mm was done using ANSYS.
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Conclusion & Impact:Based on thickness comparison, 1 mm aluminum alloy with 1 mm polymer overmolding yields the best results in terms of stress reduction and deformation control.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Üst kalıplama · Alüminyum · Otomotiv

Abstract

The current research aims to determine the influence of thermoplastic overmolding on the impact response of aluminum alloys. The objective of the study is to improve the impact response of lightweight automotive components. The paper assesses the influence of adding polypropylene (PP) to aluminum alloy on the redistribution of stress and strain and energy absorption during impact loads. To achieve the objective, FEM simulation of an open box model made up of aluminum alloy and PP with overall thickness of 2 mm was done using ANSYS. In addition, the impact load of 10 m/s was simulated on the box. The results show that there is a significant reduction in the peak von Mises stress from 72 MPa in monolithic aluminum alloy to 52 MPa when the aluminum alloy is overmolded with PP. This is an indication of improvement in stress redistribution in the material. On the other hand, energy absorption improves when there is an overmolded polymer in the material since the impact load is absorbed better. However, the amount of deformation increases owing to the higher ductility of the polymer. Based on thickness comparison, 1 mm aluminum alloy with 1 mm polymer overmolding yields the best results in terms of stress reduction and deformation control.

Özet

Bu çalışma, otomotiv endüstrisindeki uygulamalarına odaklanarak, üst kalıplama yöntemi kullanılarak alüminyum parçaların plastiklerle entegrasyonunu araştırmaktadır. Alüminyumun hafif ve yüksek mukavemetli özelliklerini plastiğin çok yönlülüğü ile birleştirmek, gelişmiş darbe direnci, yapısal bütünlük ve ağırlık azaltma gibi sayısız avantajlar sunmaktadır. Sonlu elemanlar analizi simülasyonları aracılığıyla, kalıplanmış alüminyum-plastik model, kalıplanmamış alüminyum yapılara kıyasla gerilim azaltma ve enerji emme performansı açısından üstün darbe dayanımı performansı sergilemektedir. Bu bulgular, alüminyum-plastik kalıplamanın otomotiv bileşen tasarımını iyileştirme potansiyelini vurgulamakta ve üreticilerin güvenlik, dayanıklılık ve genel araç performansını optimize ederken mukavemet performansı gereksinimlerini karşılamalarını sağlamaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Abebe, B. A., Kılıç, R. (2026). Study on the overmolding of aluminum with thermoplastics for automotive lightweight applications. International Journal of Automotive Engineering and Technologies, Cilt: 15 Sayı: 3, 151–161. https://doi.org/10.18245/ijaet.1877826

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