The Importance of Aluminium in Automotive Industry
Used extensively in the automotive industry, aluminium offers numerous advantages for the manufacturing of vehicular components:
Lightweight: As a significantly lighter alternative to steel, manufacturing automotive parts from aluminium can reduce overall vehicle weight, whilst retaining strength. In personal and commercial vehicle use, this can help to improve fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions, with minimised fuel consumption required to move the vehicle. For high-performance automotive requirements, aluminium components can additionally increase the power-to-weight ratio of vehicles, resulting in enhanced acceleration and handling performance.
Corrosion Resistance: When exposed to the atmosphere, aluminium forms a natural, protective layer of aluminium oxide (Al2O3) on the surface of the substrate. The layer of aluminium oxide protects the structural integrity of automotive components manufactured from aluminium, preventing further oxidation and corrosion. This property results in enhanced durability, remaining resistant to harsh environmental effects such as rain, road surface water and road salts. As a result, aluminium is ideal for use in automotive manufacturing, ensuring high performance and durability in uses such as chassis manufacturing, body panels and wheels.
Heat Conductivity: With the ability to transfer heat through a material from hotter to colder regions, aluminium exhibits excellent heat conductivity properties. Aluminium is rendered an ideal substrate for use in automotive component applications where efficient transfer of heat is required. As a result, aluminium is often selected for use in automotive manufacturing processes for vehicle radiators/heat exchangers, cylinder heads, engine blocks and exhaust manifolds, minimising the risk of overheating to enhance vehicular performance.
Versatility and Formability: Aluminium exhibits high formability properties, maximising its versatility for use in automotive component manufacturing. Subject to complex design specifications, aluminium is suitable for a diverse range of fabrication and engineering processes to produce complex componentry through extrusions, CNC milling and turning (milling machines and lathes), and fabrication processes.
Precision Aluminium Componentry for the Automotive Sector
At Edmo, we are equipped with the expertise and state-of-the-art engineering technology to support your aluminium manufacturing needs.
Contact our specialist team today to discuss your automotive component requirements.