Automotive Materials-Past, Present and Future

Material usages from 1900 are traced with emphasis on introduction of new materials and alloys. The historic prospective taken also extrapolates current developmental trends into the future. The paper is divided into three periods---1900-1940-THE PAST, after World War II to 1978-THE PRESENT, and THE FUTURE. The future segment examines questions to be considered by today's corrosion engineer for future developments and progress.