Automotive Industry Thermoset Composites

Advanced Composite Machining for the Automotive Industry

Today’s automotive vehicles must look sleek, have high fuel efficiency, and receive excellent safety ratings. Thermosets in automotive applications allow automakers to achieve all those goals. Composite materials aren’t new to the automotive industry — General Motors rolled out composites in the Corvette in 1953. As fuel efficiency requirements have become more stringent in recent years, more automotive manufacturers have added plastic automotive components and thermoset composites to their vehicles.

Atlas Fibre offers North America’s largest thermoset and plastic automotive parts inventory. We’ll work with you to custom-fabricate parts as needed.

Benefits of Composites in the Automotive Industry

Custom plastic and composite parts for the automotive industry have several benefits. They offer a high strength-to-weight ratio, which allows them to:

Improve fuel efficiency: Thermoset composites weigh much less than steel, the metal most often used in automobile construction. The reduced weight means there is less for a car’s engine or motor to move, which in turn helps to improve a car’s fuel economy. Better fuel economy is critical with today’s high gas prices and ever-evolving fuel rating requirements.
Better crash safety: Today’s vehicles are much safer than the cars and trucks made in the past. One reason for that improved crash safety is that composites can withstand force and damage much better than metal in certain applications. When designed for this purpose, composites can absorb energy more efficiently and are more likely to fail in a controlled manner.
Battery Materials: Composite materials in EV batteries enhance performance by reducing weight, thereby improving vehicle range and efficiency. They are crucial in electrodes and separators for better conductivity and thermal stability, essential for fast charging and longevity. Additionally, these materials are used in battery casings for protection and efficient heat management, supporting the overall sustainability of EVs.

Reduce cost: Composite materials help reduce vehicle ownership costs by lowering fuel requirements. Thermoset composite parts also frequently have longer service lives.
Aesthetic appeal: Cars and trucks manufactured 30 or 40 years ago look clunky and oversized compared to today’s sleek models. Composite materials help to enhance the aesthetic appeal of vehicles.
Reduce corrosion: Salty roads can corrode metal components. Thermoset composites are inert and do not corrode due to water, salt, gasoline, or other fluids typically used or encountered by an automobile.
Increase durability: Composite material’s ability to resist damage and corrosion resistance helps to increase vehicles’ durability. Increasing components’ longevity can contribute to a vehicle’s perceived quality.

Robotic arms welding parts on cars in a production line

What Composites Are Used in Cars?

Various types of thermoset composites can be used in the production of vehicles, including:

Glass epoxy – G10 and FR4
Glass silicone – G7
Glass melamine – G9
Phenolic – Linen or canvas phenolic
Carbon fiber
Matrix HT

Atlas Fibre can help you determine which material will work best for your application.

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Car in an automatic manufacturing product line

How Are Composites Used in the Automotive Industry?

Composite materials are increasingly being used in automotive manufacturing to enhance performance, durability, and weight reduction. These advanced materials are ideal for producing a variety of components, including A-pillars, bumpers, fenders, dashboards, and decklids. They also offer advantages in structural and aesthetic parts such as door panels, fairings, grilles, and roofs. Additionally, composite materials contribute to improved thermal and impact resistance in applications like heat shields, hoods, and steering wheels. More specialized uses include thermoset slot wedges and lightweight yet strong wheels, demonstrating the versatility of composites in modern vehicle design.

Certified for Quality, Compliance & Precision

As an AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certified company, Atlas Fibre ensures strict quality management, traceability, and continuous improvement across all operations. Our ITAR registration further reinforces our ability to support defense-related applications with regulatory compliance. These credentials reflect our commitment to delivering high-performance thermoset composite materials and precision-machined components—on time and to the highest standards.