Maybe Mo_Gearhead can tell Porsche they also made a mistake with the Carrera Gt, as they didn't use "all steel" roll over protection.
Carbon fiber race car technology hits the streets : CompositesWorld
Quote:
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Setting the evolutionary pace is the car's unique "rolling chassis" design. The Carrera GT represents the first-ever use of a carbon fiber monocoque chassis in a production automobile, a structure that incorporates the windshield frame and the A and B pillar rollover structure.
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They did use a little steel, perhaps to make it bend? Then perhaps aluminum could also be enhanced (laminated) in a similar manner?
Carrera GT
http://press.porsche.com/archive/products/press_kits/press_kits_2006/pdf/carrera_gt/carrera_gt_new_levels_2006.pdf
Quote:
On the Carrera GT, CFP is used for the chassis, which includes the windshield frame (which is
reinforced by a steel core) and supplemental safety bar system, engine/transmission support
frame, doors, hoods, fenders, underfloor tray and even in many interior components.
CFP is constructed from bonded layers of materials, including carbon fiber tissue, resin and aluminum
or plastic honeycomb material that can be nearly an inch in thickness. Aluminum inserts are laminated
at specific points so other components can be attached to the load-bearing monocoque structure
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Point is, if you were to take the best features of each material and combine them you might end up with a very light and expensive rollbar, might be worth doing if that's your muse in life.
I will not argue that steel is not the cheapest, and most widely acceptable roll bar material, as clearly it is. However if titanium of some other exotic combination of materials afforded an advantage, and cost was no object, then what the heck man technology marches on.
This is not the "most affordable material" roll bar thread is it?
Then lets discuss the past and present uses of aluminum without conducting an experiment into de-evolution and starting a poo tossing monkey fight.
Good article on the Carrera Gt's material's usage...............
for the intellectually curious.
http://cars-maniac.weebly.com/porsche-carrera-gt.html
Debunking Misinformation Surrounding the Paul Walker Porsche Carrera GT Crash
http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/debunking-misinformation-surrounding-the-paul-walker-po-1475054822
