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What Are Metals Used in Cars

Among the many metals used in automobiles, aluminum alloy, with its dual advantages of "lightweight + high strength," is gradually replacing some traditional steel materials and becoming the mainstay in key components such as body and chassis.

Why do cars favor aluminum alloy?

Firstly, it offers significant weight reduction: Aluminum alloy has a density of approximately 2.7g/cm³, only about one-third that of steel. Replacing 100kg of steel with aluminum alloy reduces fuel consumption by 0.3-0.5L per 100km. For new energy vehicles, this can directly increase range by 10-20km.

Secondly, it offers strong corrosion resistance: Steel easily rusts when exposed to rain and dust. However, aluminum alloy forms a dense oxide film on its surface, effectively resisting corrosion and extending component life.

Finally, it offers flexible formability: Different aluminum alloys can be formed into complex body panels or structural parts through processes such as stamping and welding, meeting the diverse needs of automotive design.

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Aluminum Alloy 5052

If you've ever noticed a fuel tank, radiator housing, or the fenders on the inside of a car door, you've likely encountered aluminum alloy 5052. It's an aluminum-magnesium alloy (containing approximately 2.5% magnesium). Its greatest strength is its exceptional corrosion resistance—even prolonged contact with fuel and coolant doesn't corrode it.

In addition to corrosion resistance, 5052 also has remarkable toughness: its tensile strength is approximately 230-280 MPa. While lower than high-strength steel, its excellent ductility allows it to withstand deformation from minor collisions without breaking. For example, a car's fuel tank needs to maintain its shape under bumpy conditions and withstand minor impacts. 5052 perfectly meets this demand for durability and resistance.

Furthermore, 5052 has excellent weldability, with minimal loss of strength after welding, making it suitable for parts that require splicing, such as the underbody panels and battery pack housings (commonly used in new energy vehicles) found in some models.

Many family cars are now switching from traditional plastic fuel tanks to 5052 aluminum alloy, primarily for its safety and durability. Welcome to inquire wholesale price 5052 aluminum plate from us directly.

Aluminum Alloy 6016

6016 aluminum is primarily used for exterior automotive body panels, such as hoods, door panels, and trunk lids. A member of the aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloy family, its greatest strength lies in its perfect balance of formability and strength.

Automotive body panels undergo complex stamping processes—for example, the hood must have a smooth curve, and doors must conform to the body's lines. This requires the material to possess excellent ductility, allowing it to be pressed into various shapes without cracking. With an elongation of over 25%, 6016 aluminum is less prone to wrinkling or cracking during stamping, making it easy to achieve the designer's desired shape.

More importantly, en aw 6016 is a "heat-treatable" alloy: through high-temperature heating and rapid cooling, its tensile strength can be increased from an initial 180 MPa to over 280 MPa, comparable to some mild steels. This means that a hood made of 6016 is both lightweight (40% lighter than steel) and durable against minor everyday scrapes and scratches, preventing it from easily deforming.

Original Source:https://www.autoaluminumsheet.com/a/what-are-metals-used-in-cars.html

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