Material Choice

Owned by Tian Xing Zhang (Deactivated)
Last updated: Nov 23, 2019 by Renzo Villanoy

Names:

Tian Xing Zhang (Deactivated)

Former user (Deleted)

Renzo Villanoy

Shi Jing Yang (Deactivated)

Vaishala Saam

Link to corresponding Trello card:

Problem:

HDW choose materials that are aesthetically pleasing, utilitarian, and are good for ventilation?


Ideation:

Here would be some sketches and some explanation as to the ideas we generated

Usual choices:

  • Nylon (Nylon looks like fabric and is common because it’s durable and inexpensive. it’s porous so dirt tends to get stuck)(It's also used in car seats)
  • Polyester (microsuede, which looks and feels like suede to give a car a more luxurious interior. It might look nice, but it can be tough to clean; even water can stain!)

Less conventional choices:

  • Synthetic Fabric (breathable fabric, can absorb sweat very easily to keep sportsmen cool 

  • Stay away from rubber or plastic based material which do not allow evaporation of sweat and make you overheated.

  • Miracle Microfiber (constructed of nylon or polyesters or both. The fabric can wick moisture easily and spread it through its entire surface.

  • Cotton (wick away sweat readily and allow you to feel comfortable while exercising. Water evaporates)

  • Calico( Unprocessed cotton: soft, breathable fabric is highly absorbent and environment-friendly. AKA mutton cloth or muslin cloth)

  • Spandex, also referred to as elastane, is a type of elastometric fiber which can expand more than 500% without suffering a tear. 

  • Alacantra (same deal as microsuede in polyester but more expensive AND fire retardant) might be a good bonus

  • Vinyl (retains heat and essentiallY horrible for comfort on hot days, but great for practicality as far as cleaning)

  • Faux leather (Visual appeal of leather interior and easy to clean)

  • Aerogels (Insulating and ultralight)

  • See thru-materials i.e.Use window material for interiors which might potentially need molds

  • Soft materials i.e. not carbon fibre everything, but breathable version since it often makes car hot

  • Working with carbon fibre: Since it's abrasive when skin contact (micro-abrasion) so not the most comfortable material

    • What can we layer on top? Furnish?

  • Seating with mesh – less material, lighter, less expensive (power mesh fabric ~ $4.00/yard)

  • Trend: using raw materials, glass, recyclable materials, naturals
  • Plastics: thermoform

Considerations:

Lightweight

Materials with lower heat capacity

Cost, mechanical properties i.e. what shape can we get with it

Consider what further work we need to do to implement the specific materials i.e. panels require further mold-making

Prioritize material qualities that can be made to be aesthetic?

Avoid: Porous material that might dirty fast

Lighter colours to reflect heat


References:

Idea Selection:

These are the top 3 ideas we'll be pursuing


Next Steps:

These are the next steps that will be taken to solve this problem