MOTOR-VEHICLE CORROSION

The author describes a study of the premature aging and reduced energy absorption of passenger cars as a result of structural corrosion caused by design shortcomings. Photographs illustrate typical design faults leading to the corrosion of the particular part or member of the vehicle, eg sills, wings, box members and jacking points, and it is suggested that irrespective of the make of vehicle the particular characteristics are the same - water ingress, slight pressure changes which alter the movement of the 'mist' or boxes which offer a perpendicular face to the road spray. Each design defect is discussed in relation to conventional design, the manufacturing process, corrosion reaction and the ingress of water. Proposed designs which it is suggested would inhibit corrosion are illustrated and discussed. Data obtained as a result of the frequency of remarks made about structural corrosion at Swedish MOT tests are presented, to indicate a possible correlation between the number of accident victims with age of car in which the killed or injured occupant was travelling. It is shown that the frequency of remarks increases with the age of the vehicle, and that the data correlates well with the results of a similar American study. It is suggested that motor manufacturers should pay more attention to corrosion design and the airflow within panels before offering better surface treatments and rust-protection procedures, which cannot compete with out-of-sight microclimates which favour localised corrosion. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00137782
• Corporate Authors:

  Design Council

  29 Haymarket
  London SW14 4SU,   England 
• Authors:
  • McArthur, H
• Publication Date: 1979-10

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: p. 1308
• Serial:
  • ENGINEERING
  • Volume: 219
  • Issue Number: 10
  • Publisher: GILLARD WELCH LIMITED
  • ISSN: 0013-7782

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Corrosion; Corrosion protection; Crash exposure; Deflection; Design; Manufactures; Motor vehicle bodies; Prevention; Vehicle design; Water
• Uncontrolled Terms: Exposure
• Old TRIS Terms: Automobile bodies
• ITRD Terms: 1356: Body (car); 1243: Car; 5252: Corrosion; 9011: Design (overall design); 3647: Manufacture; 9149: Prevention
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Vehicles and Equipment; I94: Vehicle Corrosion;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00308785
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 22 1980 12:00AM