Thermoplastic Materials for the Metal Replacement of Non-Structural Components in Marine Engines

Metal replacements for automotive and aerospace components are already a consolidated reality, in light of the advantages offered by fibre-reinforced polymers, consisting reduced costs, weight, environmental impact. As result, engineering has been studying possibility replacing currently used metallic alloys with alternative materials, such as thermoplastic manufacturing non-structural sections marine engines. Given peculiar characteristics working environment parts, i.e., ship engine spaces, strict requirements regarding safety, selection polymer must be properly performed through tailored material design process. Consequently, redesign carried out aim exploiting best materials’ properties while ensuring correct resistance simplifying installation operations. In this framework, finite element simulations may represent suitable approach to validate conformity proposed design. paper, methodology is applied camshaft cover four-stroke engine, made aluminium alloy. A 30% wt GFs/PA6,6 was identified most promising novel plastic proved guarantee an important reduction processing required energy.