A Comprehensive Review of Materials Used in Go-Kart Design and Manufacturing

Go-karts represent a fundamental platform in motorsports engineering, widely used for recreational racing,professional competitions, and educational purposes in mechanical and automotive engineering programs.Despite their relatively simple construction compared to full-scale race cars, go-karts are subjected tosignificant dynamic loads, vibration, thermal stresses, and impact forces due to the absence of suspensionsystems and the close proximity of components to the ground. As a result, material selection plays a criticalrole in determining the performance, safety, durability, and cost-effectiveness of go-kart systems.This review paper presents a comprehensive analysis of materials commonly employed in the design andmanufacturing of go-kart components, including the chassis, drivetrain, braking system, steering mechanism,and body panels. Emphasis is placed on evaluating material properties such as density, yield strength,stiffness, fatigue resistance, thermal conductivity, manufacturability, and economic feasibility. Traditionalmaterials such as mild steel, chromoly steel, cast iron, and aluminum alloys are examined alongsideadvanced materials including fiber-reinforced composites and hybrid material systems.The study also discusses the advantages and limitations of each material category in relation to performancerequirements, safety considerations, and competition constraints. Manufacturing aspects such as welding,machining, availability, and repairability are reviewed to provide a practical perspective relevant to bothstudent-built and professional go-kart designs. Furthermore, emerging trends in lightweight materials andfuture research directions are highlighted to address the growing demand for improved performance andsustainability in motorsports engineering.This review aims to serve as a valuable reference for students, researchers, and designers by providing astructured comparison of go-kart materials and offering guidance for informed material selection in go-kartapplications.