Increasing mechanical, economic and environmental requirements lead to multi material designs, wherein different classes of materials and manufacturing processes are merged to realize lightweight components with a high level of functional integration. Particularly in automotive industry the use of corresponding technologies will rise in the near future, as they can provide a significant contribution to weight reduction, energy conservation and therefore to the protection of natural resources. Especially the use of continuous fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) with thermoplastic matrices offers advantages for automotive components, due to its good specific characteristics and its suitability for mass production. In conjunction with isotropic materials, such as steel or aluminum, optimized lightweight structures can be produced, whose properties can be easily adapted to the given component requirements. The present paper deals with the development of innovative hybrid laminates with low residual stresses, made of thin-walled steel sheets and glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic (GFRP) prepregs layers. Thereby the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) was increased by an optimization of the FRP/metal-interfaces, carried out by examining the influence of several pre-operations like sanding, cleaning with organic solvents and applying primer systems. Based on these findings optimized compound samples were prepared and tested under realistic Cathodic dip paint conditions to determine the influence on the ILSS.

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Increasing mechanical, economic and environmental requirements lead to multi material designs, wherein different classes of materials and manufacturing processes are merged to realize lightweight components with a high level of functional integration. Particularly in automotive industry the use of corresponding technologies will rise in the near future, as they can provide a significant contribution to weight reduction, energy conservation and therefore to the protection of natural resources. Especially the use of continuous fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) with thermoplastic matrices offers advantages for automotive components, due to its good specific characteristics and its suitability for mass production. In conjunction with isotropic materials, such as steel or aluminum, optimized lightweight structures can be produced, whose properties can be easily adapted to the given component requirements. The present paper deals with the development of innovative hybrid laminates with low residual stresses, made of thin-walled steel sheets and glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic (GFRP) prepregs layers. Thereby the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) was increased by an optimization of the FRP/metal-interfaces, carried out by examining the influence of several pre-operations like sanding, cleaning with organic solvents and applying primer systems. Based on these findings optimized compound samples were prepared and tested under realistic Cathodic dip paint conditions to determine the influence on the ILSS.

Competitive and high-risk environments require complex high technology systems, which need to be supported and maintained over their respective life cycles. These systems often have a significant consequence of failure, and require complex management systems to achieve their operational objectives. Significant leadership and management challenges exist, not only in South Africa, but also in other developing countries, where systems may be utilised beyond the lifespan they were designed for and are susceptible to obsolescence. This study was conducted by following a structured process; the research consisted of three stages. The first stage dealt with the research problem, including the delimitations of the study. The second stage was further divided into three phases. The first phase deconstructed the appropriate literature, which included the interpretation of numerous definitions of logistics, integrated logistics support, and the integrated logistics support elements. In addition, the research was grounded in the fields of operations management, supply chain management and integrated logistics support. The second phase focused on the deconstruction of six case studies from four different high technology complex systems. From the analysis of the first two phases followed the third phase of research, which focused on the identification of areas requiring further research. Further research was conducted by means of a questionnaire, the results of which were analysed for variable dependency and variable association. The third stage of the research included the collation and analysis of the findings of the first two stages of research. The analysis utilised the principles of Mode 2 research and design science research, whereby an ILS framework and associated grounded technological rules have been recommended. These recommendations are robust in nature, as they can be applied in the most challenging environment and circumstances as identified. Furthermore, by grounding the theory in the disciplines of operations management, supply chain management and integrated logistics support, the reliability, validity, relevance, and applicability of the study could be substantiated. This implied that the generated theoretical knowledge could be transferred to and applied in practice, and as such, an organisation can reap substantial value added benefits, and gain considerable competitive advantage in the market place by applying this developed ILS framework and associated ILS grounded technological rules. / Business Leadership / D. BL.

Competitive and high-risk environments require complex high technology systems, which need to be supported and maintained over their respective life cycles. These systems often have a significant consequence of failure, and require complex management systems to achieve their operational objectives. Significant leadership and management challenges exist, not only in South Africa, but also in other developing countries, where systems may be utilised beyond the lifespan they were designed for and are susceptible to obsolescence. This study was conducted by following a structured process; the research consisted of three stages. The first stage dealt with the research problem, including the delimitations of the study. The second stage was further divided into three phases. The first phase deconstructed the appropriate literature, which included the interpretation of numerous definitions of logistics, integrated logistics support, and the integrated logistics support elements. In addition, the research was grounded in the fields of operations management, supply chain management and integrated logistics support. The second phase focused on the deconstruction of six case studies from four different high technology complex systems. From the analysis of the first two phases followed the third phase of research, which focused on the identification of areas requiring further research. Further research was conducted by means of a questionnaire, the results of which were analysed for variable dependency and variable association. The third stage of the research included the collation and analysis of the findings of the first two stages of research. The analysis utilised the principles of Mode 2 research and design science research, whereby an ILS framework and associated grounded technological rules have been recommended. These recommendations are robust in nature, as they can be applied in the most challenging environment and circumstances as identified. Furthermore, by grounding the theory in the disciplines of operations management, supply chain management and integrated logistics support, the reliability, validity, relevance, and applicability of the study could be substantiated. This implied that the generated theoretical knowledge could be transferred to and applied in practice, and as such, an organisation can reap substantial value added benefits, and gain considerable competitive advantage in the market place by applying this developed ILS framework and associated ILS grounded technological rules. / Business Leadership / D. BL.