Why is aluminum being used more in vehicle production?
Aluminum usage in the automotive industry has almost doubled during the last decade. It is aluminum’s superior corrosion resistance and low density that make it highly suitable for the automotive and aircraft industries. In the automotive industry, both financial issues and environmental priorities have prompted a push for lightweight cars and trucks. According to the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), every pound of aluminum that replaces two pounds of steel in a vehicle saves 20 pounds of carbon dioxide over the vehicle’s lifetime. Substituting steel components with aluminum alloys greatly reduces a car’s weight without reducing its size. With every 10 percent reduction in vehicle weight, a 6 percent to 8 percent decrease in fuel consumption results. Gradually iron-based autobody panels are being replaced with aluminum-based alloys, such as aluminum-magnesium-silicon (AlMgSi) 6000 series. Because aluminum is highly recyclable, it is good for the environment, and producing it fr
