Aluminium Used in Cars

Amidst the rapid development of the automotive industry, material innovation remains a key driver of vehicle performance upgrades. Aluminum alloy, with its numerous advantages, such as lightweight, high strength, and corrosion resistance, has long played an irreplaceable role in many key automotive components.

Body Frame

The vehicle body frame is a core structure for ensuring driving safety and significantly impacts vehicle weight. Traditional steel bodies, while strong, are also heavy, increasing fuel and energy consumption. Aluminum alloy body frames perfectly address this dilemma.

Currently, many mid-to-high-end and new energy vehicle models utilize aluminum alloy body frames, such as doors, hoods, trunk lids, and the main body structure. For example, the common 6-series abs aluminum plate has a tensile strength exceeding 300 MPa, enabling a 30%-50% weight reduction compared to steel bodies while maintaining strength. Lightweight bodies not only reduce fuel consumption in combustion-powered vehicles (data shows that every 10% reduction in vehicle weight reduces fuel consumption by 6%-8%), but also extend the range of new energy vehicles. This is why aluminum alloy bodies are increasingly favored in new energy vehicles.

Furthermore, aluminum alloy exhibits excellent corrosion resistance, resisting rust even after prolonged exposure to the elements. This effectively extends the vehicle's service life and reduces maintenance costs. Furthermore, in a collision, the aluminum alloy body frame absorbs impact energy through optimal deformation, better protecting occupants and achieving the "double guarantee" of lightweight and safety.

Chassis System

The automotive chassis is a critical component that supports the vehicle body, transmits power, and ensures driving stability. It demands extremely high material strength, toughness, and wear resistance, and aluminum alloys are widely used in chassis systems.

Firstly, components such as chassis control arms and steering knuckles must withstand the various impact forces and torques experienced during vehicle operation. Aluminum alloys, such as the 7 Series aluminum alloy, offer excellent strength and fatigue resistance, ensuring stable performance over long periods of use and reducing the risk of component deformation or damage. At the same time, lightweight aluminum alloy chassis components can reduce the vehicle's unsprung mass, improving handling and comfort, and providing a smoother driving experience.

In addition, some models also utilize aluminum alloy for their chassis subframes. As a crucial structure connecting the chassis components to the body, the subframe requires sufficient rigidity and torsional resistance. Aluminum alloy not only meets these requirements but also further reduces chassis weight, contributing to the overall vehicle lightweighting.

Powertrain

The automotive powertrain is the "heart" of the vehicle, and its performance directly impacts its power output and fuel efficiency. Therefore, the use of aluminum alloy in the powertrain is crucial.

Among engine components, aluminum alloy is the most widely used. For example, core components such as the engine block and cylinder head are mostly made of aluminum alloy. This is because aluminum alloy has excellent thermal conductivity, allowing it to quickly dissipate heat generated during engine operation, preventing overheating and ensuring stable engine operation.

Furthermore, lightweight aluminum alloy engine components can reduce overall engine weight, minimize power loss, and improve engine power efficiency, resulting in stronger vehicle performance while also reducing fuel consumption. In addition to the engine, aluminum alloy is also commonly used in transmission cases. Transmissions generate a certain amount of heat and vibration during operation. Aluminum alloy not only effectively dissipates heat but also offers certain shock-absorbing properties, reducing noise and vibration during transmission operation and improving driving comfort. Furthermore, a lightweight transmission case further reduces the weight of the powertrain, contributing to the overall vehicle lightweighting.

Interior and Accessories

Beyond core components such as the body, chassis, and powertrain, aluminum alloy is widely used in automotive interiors and accessories, adding a touch of sophistication and practicality to the interior.

In automotive interiors, aluminum alloy is often used in decorative parts such as center console trim, door trim, and shift paddles. These aluminum alloy decorative parts not only have a metallic texture and a refined and beautiful appearance, enhancing the interior's sense of class, but also offer excellent wear and scratch resistance, maintaining their appearance over time and resisting fading or damage.

Aluminum alloy is also commonly used in automotive accessories. For example, most passenger cars on the market now use aluminum alloy wheels. Compared to traditional steel wheels, aluminum alloy wheels are lighter, reducing a vehicle's unsprung mass and improving handling and fuel efficiency. They also offer improved heat dissipation, effectively dissipating heat generated by the tires and brake system, reducing tire wear and the risk of brake overheating. Furthermore, aluminum alloy wheels come in a variety of shapes and designs, offering greater design flexibility to meet the personalized needs of different consumers.

Automotive aluminium is also commonly used in components such as sunroof frames and seat rails. These components require excellent wear resistance and smoothness, and aluminum alloy not only meets these requirements but also reduces component weight, improving user convenience and comfort.