McLaren F1 materials?

[gtrgeneva]

I am doing a project for a class and part of it requires me figuring out what materials the McLaren F1 is made of... I know the body is mainly carbon fiber... As for the rest, I am clueless... Anyone know what other parts are made of? If it's say titanium (exhaust pipes) then is it an alloy? Thanks....

[amanichen]

Titanium generally is never used as a pure metal -- it's typically found as an alloy.

That said, there's steel, aluminum (alloys), magnesium, and titanium (alloys), in different amounts, and in different places.

The engine is aluminum (alloy); steel for the brake rotors; aluminum (alloy) for the front subframe; magnesium for the wheels; and I'd guess that the suspension parts and steering mechanism are also aluminum alloy.

[MalkaJB]

Download this video:

http://www.racingflix.com/getvideo.asp?v=250

It will teach you a lot. You have to register to download the video, but it's free and very much worth it. If someone has a mirror to the video that doesn't require registration, please post it.

[Peloton25]

Originally Posted by MalkaJB

If someone has a mirror to the video that doesn't require registration, please post it.

This one appears to be working still:

ftp://3siuser:[email protected]%20bbc.mpeg

>8^)
ER

[Menu dei Motori]

not to forgett the gold for heat isolation under the engine hood :-)

[gtrgeneva]

Originally Posted by Menu dei Motori

not to forgett the gold for heat isolation under the engine hood :-)

Haha, I know that for sure...
Thanks to everyone so far...

[maartenvanthek]

qoute: "an inconel-titanium exhaust system which is 67 kilo's lighter than normal steel"

[gtrgeneva]

Originally Posted by maartenvanthek

qoute: "an inconel-titanium exhaust system which is 67 kilo's lighter than normal steel"

Yeah. Well, any other materials involved for the other parts? I cited the exhaust only as an example...

[Mr. Bernoulli]

The chassis and bodywork (known collectively as the body-in-white) is made up of different orientations of weave of carbon fibre. These depend on the direction of forces the part will experience and whether the part is cosmetic or not.

The front and rear subframes are cast aluminium alloy and all metal suspension components are either cast aluminium, machined aluminium or cast magnesium iirc. The suspension compliance bushes are made from rubber. The wheels as mentioned are cast magnesium, the brake calipers are machined from aluminium alloy and the disks are cast iron (not very light!).

The engine is mainly cast aluminium alloy (block and heads) I think the valves are titanium but I can't honestly remember.

The interior has flourishes of thin Collonny leather, Alcantara with titanium and anodised aluminium pedals.

Just my . If you want better information, it might be an idea to explain how you intend to use this information specifically.

[gtrgeneva]

I need to write about where each of the materials comes from... How each material is made... Something along those lines.

[a5678]

I must say that the best source of information is Driving Ambition, obviously. If you are willing to spend the money, and have the time between now and when your project is due, I highly recommend purchasing the book. It is a bit costly, but some of us F1 fans would consider it a necessity. Just a suggestion.

[gtrgeneva]

Originally Posted by a5678

I must say that the best source of information is Driving Ambition, obviously. If you are willing to spend the money, and have the time between now and when your project is due, I highly recommend purchasing the book. It is a bit costly, but some of us F1 fans would consider it a necessity. Just a suggestion.

Well, I am an F1 fan, otherwise I wouldnt be doing the project on the McLaren I will look into it... I have seen the book before, but for some reason didnt buy it...

[ArchangelGTR]

Buy the book. A true McLaren fan has the book. A fanatic has the original release for his bookshelf and a reprint to thumb through and a few others for future gifts.

If you consider it, the book is relatively not that expensive considering that it costs less than a 1/18 UT model, or even less than some of the 1/43 models and of course way less than the 1/12 models.

You will not regret purchasing a copy of the book. You can find for around $69.00 unopened mint or $49.00 opened mint.