[RedStallion]

From what I have read about the structural patches, I could understand below things:

- Structural patches are typically epoxy based with a glass fibre backing.

- If applied, they will provide only local stiffness of the part on which they are applied. IMO, it will not increase or support the structural stability in any manner.

- These patches will help to reduce the structural steel a lot. (at least ten times, this claim needs to be verified as it could be specific to some material)

- It will help to increase fuel efficiency due to reduced structural steel.

Cheers!

[Sutripta]

Originally Posted by Sankar

Shashi, is this piece the same as the one usually found stuck to the car floor below carpet? Any information regarding the base material these are made of?

I was thinking whether there is an advantage of sticking this liberally on the outer skin of the doors and whether to purchase the OE ones sold my MGP or go for dynamat or similar aluminium backed sheet.

Originally Posted by Leoshashi

What Maruti uses is some kind of reinforced fabric type of stuff, sorry I am not aware of the material and I am trying to find out more about the vendors, details etc.

Should be a woven roving mat. Most common would be glassfibre.

My (half baked) thoughts.
If used for structural, rather than vibration damping/ sound deadening purposes, the quality of the adhesive bond becomes critical. Means the adhesive should be fresh, and kept in a controlled environment, applied in cleanroom environment, and cured in a temp controlled facility, and specialised surface preparation. Think Airbus wing manufacture. Am sure for our vehicle use, some relaxation would be acceptable, but how much? DIY level? Don't know.

Also I would think that it would make sense where the expected load/ strain/ deformation would cause the patch to stretch, rather than compress. Experts on composites, please chip in.

Sheet metal is of uniform thickness. Which makes patches extremely attractive if one needs spot/ local 'strengthening'.

Please do keep us posted on your further research.

Regards
Sutripta