Road Transport
The features of aluminium lend it perfectly to road transport applications - truck and car engine blocks and cylinder heads, heat exchangers, transmission housings, engine parts and wheels.
Strength
It is strong enough to be used in rugged vehicles like the Land Rover and the Hummer military vehicle.
Lightweight
Aluminium's lightweight makes it ideal for cast components - engine blocks and cylinder heads. Using aluminium components can cut 2,000 kilograms from the weight of average articulated truck. This means the truck can carry a bigger load without exceeding weight limits.
Strength
On smaller commercial vehicles, aluminium bodies may weigh 45 per cent less than steel bodies, so more can be carried on a smaller chassis, which reduces costs and improves energy efficiency.
Safety
Aluminium used as crash management systems - bumpers - and in frames and wheels helps to improve safety as the metal absorbs kinetic energy.
Performance
The use of aluminium reduces noise and vibration. Its use significantly improves vehicle handling.
Non-corrosive
.jpg)
Aluminium does not rust like steel. An aluminium vehicle body outlasts a steel chassis and tractor unit by three or four times. In addition, it does not react with most common materials, so it can haul many bulk cargoes, including coal, chemicals and food, without harm.
Energy efficiency
Every tonne of aluminium that replaces a tonne of traditional heavier materials has the potential to save 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents over its lifetime.
Recyclable
A high proportion of end of life vehicle scrap is recycled.
Further Information on the use of aluminium in automobiles and its inherent advantages visit the following sites:
- Auto Aluminum Alliance - www.autoaluminium.org
- EAA Aluminium Automotive Manual - www.eaa.net/aam
