So as I was looking at the skin radiator that Aptera is using, a thought occurred to me that I haven't been able to find an answer to. I know if varies depending on the composites used, but has there been any talk about the fatigue on the composite skin from the heating and cooling that will happen as it dissipates heat?
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Whenever possible (solar power, full battery, or plugged in), the Aptera will control the cabin and battery temperature to keep it in a much smaller range than a typical ICE car. Coolant dT should be pretty small for these small thermal loads. The coolant lines will probably reduce the dT across the internal composite layers, although it may increase the dT on the outside layer. Since the composite body is isolated from the road by the tires, springs, suspension members, and metal subframes, I would expect much less vibration than a boat hull, which has zero isolation. The aerodynamic design and laminar flow would also reduce direct wind buffeting and vibration. With a 500lb max load (passenger plus cargo) and the very light body itself, the composite body will be very minimally stressed compared to marine or aerospace applications.
So it sounds like there hasn't been any company communication on the subject. I guess we will have to wait for more materials tests as beta test proceed.
That is a very good concern; I have the same. Anytime one has a laminate with various temperatures, it will always be prone to delamination. Vibration, temperature variances, and material differential of heat and cold expansion, and load stress, will always present itself in general. No resin or additive will take that physics away, but the type of resin and additives may lessen the problem.
EV coolant temperatures are much less extreme compared to ICE vehicles. Even with the coolant lines running along the composite it will only be a few degrees above ambient.
Hopefully they considered that. But... they are going to crash test the production
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