Optimal Bonding Thickness for Vehicle Stiffness

It is known that improved vehicle stiffness will improve the ride, handling, and acoustical performance of the vehicle. Structural cavity reinforcement foams are used as bonding and reinforcing agents for this purpose although thorough understanding of the application and design parameters of the reinforcing material has not been reached. This paper will help understand the optimums for stiffness of the metal/reinforcing material composite through the use of laboratory three-point bending experiment. Various thickness and configurations of the metal and material will be included, as well as the rate of deformation.