Introduction
摘要
This chapter presents an overview of the materials used in the automotive industry, presenting their evolution and current trends. It highlights transitioning from traditional steel-based construction to a mixed-material approach, followed by performance, safety, fuel efficiency, and regulatory pressures. Key materials include various grades of steel, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, composites, and smart materials. The shift toward lightweight, high-strength materials aims to reduce vehicle weight by up to 75%. However, cost, manufacturing complexity, and joining techniques remain critical challenges. Steel maintains dominance due to its strength and cost-effectiveness despite the rise of advanced materials. The chapter concludes that future automotive design will integrate diverse materials optimized for specific applications, supported by new manufacturing technologies and joining methods to meet evolving industry demands.