Lightweight automobiles are the development trend of the automobile industry. Statistics show that every 1% reduction in the weight of general automobile parts can save 1% of fuel; every 1% reduction in moving parts can save 2% of fuel. Reducing the weight of automobiles can achieve huge economic and environmental benefits. Various new materials are used in the automobile manufacturing industry, of which aluminum is the most valuable one.
Aluminum is the second largest metal material used by human beings. One of the most obvious changes in car technology since the 1970s is the extensive use of lightweight materials, and more and more aluminum parts have appeared, mainly concentrated in the body. , engine, bumper, air conditioner, wheel hub, decorative parts, seat and so on.
The density of aluminum is only 1/3 of that of steel. On the premise that the quality and function of the car are not affected, the use of aluminum products can minimize the quality of parts to achieve the goal of energy saving and emission reduction. For passenger cars, in 1973, the aluminum alloy used in each car accounted for 5.0% of the total material used, which increased to 5.6% in 1980 and 9.6% in 1997. The rapid growth of the application of aluminum alloys in automobiles is a major trend in the development of automobile materials.
Due to the obvious lightweight effect, the application of aluminum alloys in the body is expanding. At present, the United States, Japan, and Germany are the countries that use the most aluminum alloys in automobiles, such as the German Volkswagen AudiA8, A2, and Japan's NXS. %. Some data show that replacing the traditional steel structure with an aluminum alloy structure can reduce the mass of the car by 30% to 40%, the production of the engine can be reduced by 30%, and the production of the wheel can be reduced by 50%.
Application of aluminum alloy in automobile
Aluminum alloys for automobile engines are the most lightweight, generally reducing weight by more than 30%. In addition, the cylinder block and cylinder head of the engine require materials with good thermal conductivity and strong corrosion resistance, and aluminum alloys have outstanding performance in these aspects. Therefore, various automobile manufacturers have carried out the research and development of the aluminum alloy of the engine.
Aluminum wheels have gradually replaced steel wheels because of their light weight, good heat dissipation and good appearance. In the past 10 years, the global aluminum alloy automobile wheel has grown at an annual growth rate of 7.6%. According to the analysis, by 2010, the aluminum alloy rate of the automobile wheel will reach 72% to 78%.
Aluminum alloys are also widely used in other parts of the car, such as: General Motors of the United States uses 7021 aluminum plate to make Smure car bumper reinforcement brackets, and Ford uses 7021 aluminum plate to make Lincoln Town car bumper reinforcement brackets. Aluminum alloy materials are also used in automobile suspension parts, which effectively reduces the quality of corresponding parts and improves the smoothness and stability of automobile driving, such as disc brake claws and power transmission frames produced with 6061 forgings. In addition, aluminum alloys are also widely used in automotive air conditioning systems. For example, Japan uses 6595 aluminum alloys for automotive radiators and refrigerator radiators.
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