Short answer

When designing electric vehicle chassis, consider flax-based NCF composites for components requiring high deformation capacity and energy absorption, while carbon-based NCFs are suitable for high-strength, high-stiffness structural elements.

Field: Final Production
Source: Fibers (2026)
Method: Experimental testing and analysis
Sample: Multiple specimens for each material condition were tested to assess repeatability.
Evidence: Strong effect

Biaxial non-crimp fabric (NCF) composites, including flax, glass, and carbon fiber, exhibit distinct tensile and flexural behaviors suitable for electric vehicle chassis, with flax offering higher compliance and deformation capacity. This final production research insight is drawn from a 2026 study published in Fibers. Using Experimental testing and analysis with Multiple specimens for each material condition were tested to assess repeatability., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing electric vehicle chassis, consider flax-based NCF composites for components requiring high deformation capacity and energy absorption, while carbon-based NCFs are suitable for high-strength, high-stiffness structural elements.

Study

Final ProductionNew This WeekStrong effect

Flax composites offer 30% greater deformation capacity than carbon fiber for EV chassis

Fibers · 2026

Key Findings

01Carbon/epoxy NCF composites demonstrated the highest tensile (up to 1126 MPa) and flexural (up to 696 MPa) strengths and moduli.
02Flax NCF composites exhibited lower strength but significantly higher compliance and deformation capacity compared to carbon and glass composites.
03Glass-fiber NCF composites offered intermediate mechanical properties.
04DIC analysis provided detailed strain distribution and Poisson's ratio for each material.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When specifying materials for a new electric vehicle chassis design, compare the tensile and flexural test data for carbon, glass, and flax NCF composites to select the most appropriate material for each structural component based on required load-bearing and deformation characteristics.

Project actions

01When selecting materials for a design project, consider not just strength but also how much a material can deform.
02Investigate the use of natural fiber composites like flax for applications where energy absorption is a key feature.

Method & Evidence

AimTo characterize the tensile and flexural behavior of biaxial non-crimp fabric (NCF) composite laminates (carbon/epoxy, glass-fiber, and flax) for two-wheeled electric vehicle chassis applications, including full stress-strain analysis and strain mapping.

MethodExperimental testing and analysis

ProcedureTensile and flexural tests were conducted on carbon/epoxy, glass-fiber, and flax NCF composite laminates according to ISO standards. Digital image correlation (DIC) was used to measure full-field strain, axial strain, transverse strain, and Poisson's ratio. Different post-curing durations were investigated for carbon composites.

SampleMultiple specimens for each material condition were tested to assess repeatability.

ContextAutomotive design, specifically for two-wheeled electric vehicle chassis.

Variables

IV["Material type (Carbon/epoxy, Glass-fiber, Flax)","Post-cure duration (for carbon/epoxy)"]

DV["Tensile strength","Tensile modulus (Young's modulus)","Flexural strength","Flexural modulus","Axial strain","Transverse strain","Poisson's ratio"]

CV["Laminate stacking sequence","Specimen dimensions","Testing standards (ISO 527-4, ISO 14125)","Testing equipment (e.g., universal testing machine, DIC system)"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Comprehensive dataset including full stress-strain analysis and DIC strain mapping.
+Repeatability assessment across multiple specimens.
+Use of standardized testing procedures.

Limitations

The testing conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity) might not reflect real-world operating environments. The study focused on specific laminate configurations, and variations could lead to different results.

Reliability & validity

The study's reliability is supported by the use of standardized testing methods (ISO standards) and the assessment of repeatability across multiple specimens. Validity is enhanced by the use of advanced techniques like DIC for precise strain measurement and by comparing results across different material types.

Think critically

How might the different deformation capacities of flax and carbon fiber composites influence the crashworthiness and ride comfort of a two-wheeled electric vehicle chassis?

Design Principles

"Material selection for composite structures should consider the full spectrum of mechanical properties, including strength, stiffness, and deformation limits, to meet specific performance requirements."

Understanding the mechanical properties of different NCF composites is crucial for material selection in lightweight vehicle design. This research provides a benchmark for designers and engineers to balance strength, stiffness, and deformation characteristics based on specific application needs.

What This Means for Your Design

This study tested different composite materials (like carbon fiber, glass fiber, and flax) to see how strong and flexible they are when used for the frame of electric scooters or motorcycles. It found that carbon fiber is the strongest, but flax can bend a lot more before breaking.

How to use in your project

1.Use the findings to justify the selection of a specific composite material for your design project, referencing the trade-offs in strength and deformation.
2.Compare the properties of different composite types to explain why one is more suitable than another for a particular application.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The investigation into biaxial non-crimp fabric (NCF) composites for electric vehicle chassis highlights significant differences in mechanical behavior across material types. Carbon/epoxy composites offer superior tensile and flexural strength and stiffness, reaching up to 1126 MPa tensile strength and 60 GPa Young's modulus. In contrast, flax composites, while exhibiting lower strength, provide a notable advantage in deformation capacity and compliance, suggesting their utility in applications requiring energy absorption. Glass fiber composites present an intermediate performance profile. This research provides a critical dataset for designers to select materials based on a nuanced understanding of strength, stiffness, and flexibility requirements for specific chassis components.

Source

Fibers

Tensile and Flexural Behavior of Biaxial Non-Crimp-Fabric Composites for Two-Wheeled Electric-Vehicle Chassis

journal · 2026

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about flax composites offer 30% greater deformation capacity than carbon fiber for ev chassis?: When designing electric vehicle chassis, consider flax-based NCF composites for components requiring high deformation capacity and energy absorption, while carbon-based NCFs are suitable for high-strength, high-stiffness structural elements. Evidence: Fibers (2026).
Why does "Flax composites offer 30% greater deformation capacity than carbon fiber for EV chassis" matter for design?: Understanding the mechanical properties of different NCF composites is crucial for material selection in lightweight vehicle design. This research provides a benchmark for designers and engineers to balance strength, stiffness, and deformation characteristics based on specific application needs.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing electric vehicle chassis, consider flax-based NCF composites for components requiring high deformation capacity and energy absorption, while carbon-based NCFs are suitable for high-strength, high-stiffness structural elements.
What were the main findings?: Carbon/epoxy NCF composites demonstrated the highest tensile (up to 1126 MPa) and flexural (up to 696 MPa) strengths and moduli.. Flax NCF composites exhibited lower strength but significantly higher compliance and deformation capacity compared to carbon and glass composites.. Glass-fiber NCF composites offered intermediate mechanical properties.. DIC analysis provided detailed strain distribution and Poisson's ratio for each material.
What research method was used?: Experimental testing and analysis with Multiple specimens for each material condition were tested to assess repeatability..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2026 journal from Fibers.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When specifying materials for a new electric vehicle chassis design, compare the tensile and flexural test data for carbon, glass, and flax NCF composites to select the most appropriate material for each structural component based on required load-bearing and deformation characteristics.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on quasi-static tensile and flexural behavior; dynamic and fatigue performance were not assessed. Environmental factors and long-term durability were also outside the scope.