Aluminum Auto Parts: Slowly but Surely

Aluminum Auto Parts: Slowly but Surely. Many manufacturers of cars are experimenting on the utilization of aluminum auto parts. Some are also expanding their research to make it possible to utilize aluminum in all other weight-intensive gears of cars

So far, there has been a broad range of parts completed out of aluminum like engine blocks, cylinder heads, manifolds, wheels, and even body structures and closures. Carmakers are confident that soon, hoods, trunks, and other such heavy parts can also be shaped out of aluminum materials. The body alone accounts for about 25% of the whole weight of a vehicle. Using aluminum will considerably diminish the cost and offer enormous savings.

According to the Aluminum Association, Inc., the use of aluminum for automobiles doubled between the years 1991 and 1999. This is estimated to double by early 21st century. So far, aluminum has already exceeded plastic use in vehicles and is now ranking third after iron and steel.

Average weight of aluminum is expected to be one-third that of an equivalent volume of steel. There is about 60% weight reduction with the use of aluminum in vehicles instead of steel and cast iron.

Although there are so many returns in using aluminum, several engineers in car manufacturing are still yet to be persuaded about swapping steel with this metal. They put stress on aluminum being tricky to weld and that this metal has a dissimilar reaction to stress than steel.

Aluminum auto parts are seeing some use and for sure, as technology advances, there will be more use for aluminum in car manufacturing.