The emergence of aluminium became the stalwart of today’s industrial era. Its journey is very fascinating. Aluminium has been the industry innovation’s cornerstone for over a century, from redefining automotive manufacturing to enabling gravity-defying fed-of-human flights.
With ambitious environmental goals and high-performance vehicles today, aluminium alloys play an important role. They transform the automotive industry, driving it towards a more sustainable and efficient future.
Aluminium Alloy Types Used in the Industry
Aluminium alloys are categorised into different series. This depends on the alloying components that determine their mechanical components and suitability for various applications. These series include the following:
- 1000 series: We use these series in applications where conductivity and corrosion resistance are more crucial than strength. Perfect examples are electrical wiring and heat exchangers.
- 2000 series: The series have copper as the key alloying component. They provide good machinability and high strength, making them perfect for automotive applications.
- 3000 series: These have excellent formability and moderate strength, perfect for different automobile applications that need corrosion resistance and good workability.
- 5000 series: These are used in exterior and structural components. Examples are chassis parts and body panels.
- 6000 series: The series are used in the industry, thanks to their balance of machinability, strength, and corrosion resistance.
- 7000 series: These types are the strongest alloys available. Because of that, they are great for structural and high-performance applications.
Structures Utilising Aluminium Alloys
Before, using aluminium alloys for manufacturing cars was mostly applied to create smaller parts in a car’s structure. However, their popularity has increased steadily as modern testing proves they are more durable than their traditional counterparts.
In today’s automobile industry, they have emerged as the most preferred materials to construct car frames. Most vehicle manufacturers have already embraced lightweight aluminium qualities to manufacture chassis, replacing dominant iron. This shift results in great improvements in car performance while ensuring enduring strength.
In addition, aluminium’s glossy and natural polish appearance makes it an appealing option for vehicle interiors. Opting for the alloy for the car’s interior will improve the aesthetic appearance, ensuring the interior elements maintain a polished and fresh look.
Why Use Aluminium Alloys?
Because of the metal’s intrinsic properties and characteristics, commercial and passenger vehicle industries extensively use aluminium alloy. Here are the reasons:
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Strong & Safe
Aluminium as a metal has a high strength-to-weight ratio if compared to mild steel. This is why we use aluminium alloy in large crush vehicle zones. So, using it in a large crush zone doesn’t just improve safety. It also increases performance.
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Versatility
Naturally, aluminium is a versatile material. Its corrosion resistance and formability make working with the metal alloy easier for the industry. The metal is also available in different formats, such as aluminium plate, sheet, and coil.
In conclusion, aluminium alloy is the key element to the future of efficient and lightweight automobiles. Its use doesn’t just minimise the vehicle’s weight. It also improves fuel economy and performance while contributing to a greener automobile industry.