Vehicle structural support member reinforced with ultra high strength laminate

A method of manufacturing a structural support member that is optimized for gross geometry and minimal mass, the method comprising:

• forming a first portion from one of an aluminum material, a magnesium material, a cold-formable steel material, a glass fiber composite material, or a plastic material;
• forming a second portion from one of an aluminum material, a magnesium material, a cold-formable steel material, a glass fiber composite material, or a plastic material;
• connecting the first portion and the second portion together such that the second portion is disposed in a tensile loading condition in response to an impact load applied to the first portion;
• and
• attaching a laminate layer directly to a surface of the second portion, wherein the laminate layer includes an ultra high strength material having a yield strength equal to or greater than fifteen hundred (1500) MPa, and wherein the laminate layer includes one of an iron based glassy metal foil, an iron based glassy metal foil fabric, or a fiber or iron based glassy metal foil reinforced polymer.

A structural support member for a vehicle, the structural support member comprising:

• a first portion;
• a second portion attached to the first portion, wherein the second portion is disposed in a tensile loading condition in response to an impact load applied to the first portion;
• and
• a laminate layer directly attached to a surface of the second portion, wherein the laminate layer includes an ultra high strength material having a yield strength equal to or greater than fifteen hundred (1500) MPa, and wherein the laminate layer includes one of an iron based glassy metal foil, an iron based glassy metal foil fabric, or a fiber or iron based glassy metal foil reinforced polymer.