Lightweight Aluminum Alloy Cars and Their New Welding Technologies (Part One)
Abstract: In the context of rapid economic development, people's demand for automobiles is gradually increasing, which promotes the rapid progress and development of the automobile industry. The aluminum alloy is the direction of lightweight automobile development and has become one of the widely used materials in the automobile industry. The use of aluminum alloy can effectively reduce the overall body weight of automobiles and energy consumption, which is in full compliance with the development goals of energy-saving and environmental protection in China. Also, the reasonable use of the new welding technology provides technical support for the lightweight of automobiles, which is of great significance to the sustainable development of the automobile industry. In this article, the characteristics of aluminum alloy are briefly summarized; the application of aluminum alloys in lightweight automobiles is analyzed and the new welding technology of aluminum alloy automobiles is studied.
1. Features of aluminum alloys
Aluminum alloy has the characteristics of good corrosion resistance, low costs, recyclability, easy processing and light weights. Its application in the production of automobiles can effectively reduce energy waste, and it accounts for up to 60% of the raw materials of automobiles. As far as corrosion resistance is concerned, the surface of aluminum is easy to generate corresponding oxide films. Its anti-oxidation ability is good, which can effectively reduce the corrosion degree of automobiles. Aluminum alloy is especially suitable for the parts where the anti-corrosion materials can't be used for automobile bodies. It can not only enhance the service life of the car, but also improve the beauty and comfort of the car. In addition, most of the aluminum used in China is recycled aluminum, which can effectively reduce energy loss. Recycling can effectively reduce energy loss by more than 95%, which is in full compliance with China's requirements for conservation and environmental protection. At the same time, the use of aluminum alloy in the production of automobile bodies can effectively take advantage of the extrusion technology of aluminum, thereby effectively reducing the number of welding spots, reducing the processing procedures of the automobile to a certain extent, and comprehensively improving the assembly efficiency of automobile production.
1. Features of aluminum alloys
Aluminum alloy has the characteristics of good corrosion resistance, low costs, recyclability, easy processing and light weights. Its application in the production of automobiles can effectively reduce energy waste, and it accounts for up to 60% of the raw materials of automobiles. As far as corrosion resistance is concerned, the surface of aluminum is easy to generate corresponding oxide films. Its anti-oxidation ability is good, which can effectively reduce the corrosion degree of automobiles. Aluminum alloy is especially suitable for the parts where the anti-corrosion materials can't be used for automobile bodies. It can not only enhance the service life of the car, but also improve the beauty and comfort of the car. In addition, most of the aluminum used in China is recycled aluminum, which can effectively reduce energy loss. Recycling can effectively reduce energy loss by more than 95%, which is in full compliance with China's requirements for conservation and environmental protection. At the same time, the use of aluminum alloy in the production of automobile bodies can effectively take advantage of the extrusion technology of aluminum, thereby effectively reducing the number of welding spots, reducing the processing procedures of the automobile to a certain extent, and comprehensively improving the assembly efficiency of automobile production.
2. Applications of aluminum alloys in lightweight automobiles
Lightweight automobiles are to reduce the overall weight of the automobile while ensuring the strength, performance, safety and stability of the journey, making sure that the automobile's fuel can be fully utilized and the use efficiency is maximized, which can not only provide greater power support, but also effectively avoid the use of energy materials by the car. Moreover, the pollutant gas emitted by the car can also be reduced, which is beneficial.
2.1 Applications of aluminum alloys in the car body
The body occupies more than 30% of the weight of the entire vehicle, and consumes more than 70% of the energy, which consumes the most energy. Therefore, if you want to reduce energy, you must reduce the weight of the body. In the actual production of vehicles, the effective use of aluminum alloy for the production of the body can not only reduce the overall weight of the vehicle, but also reduce the investment for vehicle costs. For example, Audi A8 is made from all aluminum. After comparing with traditional cars, it is found that the body weight of A8 has been significantly reduced, and the overall weight is reduced by over 40%. There will be a certain difference in the collision resistance for the car body made from aluminum alloy and non aluminum alloy for the same model. The car body made from aluminum alloy has better collision resistance than non aluminum alloy.
2.2 Applications of aluminum alloys in the chassis
In the process of reducing the weight of the car, the optimization of the chassis cannot be ignored, and it is also a relatively easy position to achieve. In the suspension system of the chassis, the use of aluminum alloy has gradually attracted attention. Compared with the traditional iron brake disc, the weight of the aluminum alloy brake disc is significantly reduced by about 70%. Although the cost of aluminum alloy is higher than that of iron, the service life of the car has been increased by twice. The cost performance of aluminum alloy is very good from the overall point of view. Therefore, the application of aluminum alloy to the chassis of the vehicle not only satisfies the lightweight of the car, but also prolongs the service life of the accessories.
2.3 Applications of aluminum alloys in the engine
At this stage, many automobile manufacturers have used aluminum alloys for the production of engine parts. As far as the piston is concerned, the aluminum alloy piston can not only reduce its own weight, but also improve the crankshaft's counterweight and the inertia of the piston, thereby continuously improving the use efficiency of the piston. The aluminum alloy has extremely good thermal conductivity, which can be used in ultra-high temperatures while maintaining good mechanical properties. It can also effectively improve the noise, fuel consumption and vibration of the car, having a certain promotion effect on the comfort of the car.
2.4 Applications of aluminum alloys in wheels
In the weight of the entire vehicle, the wheel occupies a relatively high proportion. Therefore, the overall weight of the vehicle can be reduced by reducing the mass of the wheel. The manufacture of aluminum alloy wheels will be simpler than traditional wheels and they have advantages of shock absorption, corrosion resistance and durability. Under normal circumstances, a reduction in the weight of a wheel by one kilogram will cause the vehicle to travel about 800 meters. Reducing the use of fuel can reduce energy consumption and emissions of the polluting gas, which completely meet the requirements for energy saving and environmental protection.
2.1 Applications of aluminum alloys in the car body
The body occupies more than 30% of the weight of the entire vehicle, and consumes more than 70% of the energy, which consumes the most energy. Therefore, if you want to reduce energy, you must reduce the weight of the body. In the actual production of vehicles, the effective use of aluminum alloy for the production of the body can not only reduce the overall weight of the vehicle, but also reduce the investment for vehicle costs. For example, Audi A8 is made from all aluminum. After comparing with traditional cars, it is found that the body weight of A8 has been significantly reduced, and the overall weight is reduced by over 40%. There will be a certain difference in the collision resistance for the car body made from aluminum alloy and non aluminum alloy for the same model. The car body made from aluminum alloy has better collision resistance than non aluminum alloy.
2.2 Applications of aluminum alloys in the chassis
In the process of reducing the weight of the car, the optimization of the chassis cannot be ignored, and it is also a relatively easy position to achieve. In the suspension system of the chassis, the use of aluminum alloy has gradually attracted attention. Compared with the traditional iron brake disc, the weight of the aluminum alloy brake disc is significantly reduced by about 70%. Although the cost of aluminum alloy is higher than that of iron, the service life of the car has been increased by twice. The cost performance of aluminum alloy is very good from the overall point of view. Therefore, the application of aluminum alloy to the chassis of the vehicle not only satisfies the lightweight of the car, but also prolongs the service life of the accessories.
2.3 Applications of aluminum alloys in the engine
At this stage, many automobile manufacturers have used aluminum alloys for the production of engine parts. As far as the piston is concerned, the aluminum alloy piston can not only reduce its own weight, but also improve the crankshaft's counterweight and the inertia of the piston, thereby continuously improving the use efficiency of the piston. The aluminum alloy has extremely good thermal conductivity, which can be used in ultra-high temperatures while maintaining good mechanical properties. It can also effectively improve the noise, fuel consumption and vibration of the car, having a certain promotion effect on the comfort of the car.
2.4 Applications of aluminum alloys in wheels
In the weight of the entire vehicle, the wheel occupies a relatively high proportion. Therefore, the overall weight of the vehicle can be reduced by reducing the mass of the wheel. The manufacture of aluminum alloy wheels will be simpler than traditional wheels and they have advantages of shock absorption, corrosion resistance and durability. Under normal circumstances, a reduction in the weight of a wheel by one kilogram will cause the vehicle to travel about 800 meters. Reducing the use of fuel can reduce energy consumption and emissions of the polluting gas, which completely meet the requirements for energy saving and environmental protection.
