Life-Cycle Integration of Titanium Alloys into the Automotive Segment for Vehicle Light-Weighting: Part II - Component Life-Cycle Modeling and Cost Justification

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2012

Publication Title

International Journal of Materials and Manufacturing

Publisher

SAE

Abstract

To warrant the substitution of traditionally used structural automotive materials with titanium alloys, the material substitutional and redesign advantages must be attainable at a justifiable cost. Typically, during material replacement with such ‘exotic’ aerospace alloys, the initial raw material cost is high; therefore, cost justification will need to be realized from a life-cycle cost standpoint. Part I of this paper highlighted the redesign, fabrication, and validation of an automotive component. Part II details the particulars of constructing the total life-cycle cost model for both prototypes (P1, P2). Considerations in the model include adaptation to a high volume production scenario, availability of near-net size plate/bar stock, etc. Further, response surfaces of fuel costs savings and consequent life-cycle costs (state-variables) are generated against life-cycle duration and unit fuel price (design-variables) to identify profitable operating conditions. In conclusion, it is evident that total life-cycle costs (primary metric) are closely comparable to that of the original component, thereby cost-justifying the redesigns as well as substantiating the practicality of replacement.

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