Why Choose Aluminium for Automotive Parts?

The automotive industry is changing with the need for efficiency, performance, safety, and sustainability. Of the numerous materials utilized in the production of automobiles, aluminium is among the optional materials utilized in the production of most of the car components and parts. Aluminium finds application in the engine blocks and wheels, body frames and panels, among many others.

But why is aluminium so compelling for the automobile industry? In this blog, we discuss the reasons, with the guidance offered by Aluminium Auto Parts Manufacturers, for why aluminium is such a hot favourite material to be used in cars, how it is perfectly suited to car engineering, and why manufacturers are opting to embrace it for delivering performance, security, and greenness.

1. Lightweight Nature: Fuel Efficiency and Performance

Aluminium possesses one of the strongest characteristics, which is that of lightness. It possesses a near one-third average weight compared to steel, and it allows the motor vehicle companies to decrease the weight of motor vehicles to a great extent.

Why is That Necessary?

• Better fuel efficiency: There is less energy needed to move lighter vehicles, and that is as simple as it sounds, which means better use of fuel. It has been proven by research that weight on a vehicle can be minimized by 10% and that will result in 6-8% fuel efficiency gains
• Better acceleration and performance: The light parts make the vehicle more responsive and handy with a smoother and sportier drive.  
• Range extension of electric vehicles: Aluminium in electric vehicles saves the use of batteries for travelling longer distances.

Facing the spectre of stricter emissions regulation and global pressure towards being eco-friendly, automakers find themselves facing the challenge of reducing the environmental burden of their cars without compromising performance. Aluminium comes to their rescue.

2. Excellent Strength-to-Weight Ratio

Aluminium is not only light but, instead of weakening, possesses a very high strength-to-weight ratio and therefore is used in structural as well as functional parts of the vehicle.

• Crashworthiness: Aluminium is capable of absorbing crash impact energy and safeguarding the occupants while, simultaneously, allowing for faster collapse of the vehicle structure to a survivable form.
• Strength: Since it can withstand high-stress applications without fracturing, it is more appropriate for mission-critical parts like suspension parts and frame parts.

New aluminium auto alloys are as good as or even better in strength than certain steels, with good support and less weight.

3. Better Corrosion Resistance

Aluminium is likely to form a protective oxide layer on the surface that makes it highly corrosion and rust-resistant. This protective element is most useful in motor engineering where water, road de-icing salt, and changing climatic conditions cannot be avoided.

• Longer part life: Aluminium components last longer and require less maintenance and replacement.
• Fewer cycles of replacement and repair: Less opportunity for corrosion means fewer cycles of replacement and repair, and that is cost savings on the life of the car.
• Greater resale value: The not-worn-out-in-shape aluminium components in a vehicle equal greater resale values because they are in excellent condition.

Where rain or snow will be severe, such rust resistance is an asset.

4. Improved thermal and electrical conductivity

Aluminium has enhanced electrical and thermal conductivity, ideal for engine parts, radiators, and electric vehicle technology.

Use in automobiles:

• Radiator and heat exchangers: Aluminium is a heat conductor and thus temperature regulation of engines is manageable in that it will never get overheated. 
• Battery enclosures: In electric vehicle use, aluminium facilitates effective thermal management of battery systems.
• Electric wiring and circuits: Aluminium is increasingly used in electric wiring since it is conductive in nature and relatively light in weight as compared to copper.

The thermal properties of aluminium are becoming important with the increasing use of electric cars.

5. Ductility and Versatility in Design

Aluminium is highly ductile, i.e., it can be rolled out into very complex shapes without cracking or breaking. For that reason, it is versatile to a humongously vast majority of automobile components—ranging from smooth bodywork to complex engine components.

• Applications today: Aluminium is popular with designers as it can be moulded into curved air-flow profiles.
• Advanced manufacturing techniques: Aluminium enables die casting, extrusion, forging, and stamping operations, keeping production affordable and cutting-edge.  

Its formability also makes it extremely versatile in the production of precision-engineered and customized parts.

6. Green Advantage and Sustainability

In the era of global warming and sustainability, aluminium is a sustainable product.

• 100% recyclable: Aluminium can be recycled repeatedly without losing its characteristics, a true circular material. 
• Energy savings: Recycling aluminium saves 95% of the energy used to make it from raw ore.
• Lower carbon footprint: Aluminium cars release much lower levels of CO₂ throughout their lifespan.

Although it is right at the forefront of buyers' and manufacturers' minds, the low-impact characteristics of aluminium are still relatively niche.

7. Cost Effectiveness of the Vehicle throughout Its Life

While aluminium will probably cost more than steel per kg, aluminium's cost-effectiveness over the lifetime of a vehicle is incredible.

The reason being:

• The reduction in the quantity of fuel and energy used in the life of the vehicle offsets the extra material expense.
• Less upkeep and repair costs because of corrosion resistance.
• Simpler assembly as an alternative using lighter and more transportable components.
• Improved car performance contributes to improved marketability and customer satisfaction.

Therefore, from the cost of ownership perspective, aluminium is a wiser economic choice. 8. Increased Industry

8. Application and Testing Demonstrated Reliability

Aluminium is already in widespread use by leading automobile makers across the globe:

• Tesla employs big pieces of aluminium on Model S and Model X platforms to provide improved performance and range.
• Ford stole the limelight with its F-150 pickup that utilized high-strength aluminium to lose nearly 300 kg in weight.
• Audi has used aluminium in A8 and R8 vehicles for decades, praising its application in performance and luxury vehicles.

The trend is brushing aside the reliability and versatility of aluminium in harsh car conditions.

Conclusion

From being fuel-efficient and reducing weight to being recyclable and strong, aluminium possesses an extremely attractive set of benefits that make it the first choice for all auto components. With the industry shifting electric and green, the use of aluminium can only improve. In the years to come, using aluminium not only leads to improved performance and durable cars but also to a greener world.

Also Read: What is The Purpose of The Mounting Strap?