Aluminum alloy has high specific strength and cost performance, making it the first choice material for automobile light weighting. The density of aluminum is about 1/3 that of steel, and its specific strength is about 50% higher than that of steel. In terms of cost performance, although the price of aluminum alloy is about 150% higher than that of steel, it is much lower than that of carbon fiber composite materials. Although magnesium alloy prices are similar to aluminum alloys, they are not as corrosion-resistant as aluminum alloys and are difficult to apply on a large scale in the automotive industry. Therefore, aluminum alloys are the best lightweight materials at this stage. Aluminum alloys can be used in structural parts and components such as car bodies, engines, wheels, etc. This article will introduce you to the aluminum alloy plates commonly used in the transportation industry:
Aluminum Sheet For Automobiles
Aluminum alloy medium and thick plates are widely used in the field of transportation. They have the advantages of high strength, good extrusion, good weldability, and good corrosion resistance. They are especially suitable for use as aluminum car bodies, chassis, and frames. The most commonly used aluminum alloys in the automotive industry are 5000 series and 6000 series aluminum alloys. Other alloys such as 1060 aluminum sheets are commonly used in bus interiors, auto parts, signs, bus luggage racks/floors/pattern plates, etc.; 1060 medium-thick aluminum sheets are generally used in car radiators and new energy vehicle charging piles. Aluminum-manganese anti-rust alloy 3003 aluminum plates are commonly used in bus skins, vehicle power battery casings, etc. Other alloys are as follows:
Series |
Alloy |
Usages |
1000 Series |
1100 |
It mainly used for thermal insulation. |
3000 Series |
3003 |
It is used in automotive piping, paneling, and power castings. |
3004 |
It is used for the cowl grille and radiator. |
|
3105 |
It is used in automobile body panels, fenders, doors and floor paneling. |
|
5000 Series |
5005 |
It is used in body panels, fuel tanks, steering panels and pipes. |
5052 |
Car engine outer panels, bus trunk panels, bus anti-skid decorative panels, aluminum sheets for automobile fuel tanks, etc. |
|
5083 |
Aluminum alloy tank car body/tank body, automobile fuel tank, gas tank, bus skin, C82 coal truck, car roof/bottom guard, etc. |
|
5182 |
It is used in body structure pillars. |
|
5754 |
Railway passenger car interior and exterior wall panels, floor panels, carriage panels, etc. |
|
6000 Series |
6016 |
It is used on body panels, doors, trunks, roofs, fenders and exterior panels. |
6061 |
Passenger car decorative sheets/embossed sheets, automobile chassis protection parts, automobile four-door and two-door covers, automobile wheels, automobile seats and other fields. |
|
6082 |
It is used in load-bearing frames. |
|
6181 |
It is used in body paneling. |
Marine Aluminum Sheet
The material selection of marine aluminum sheets are relatively strict, and 5083 is currently used more often. As a typical marine aluminum plate, 5083 aluminum alloy has the characteristics of high strength, corrosion resistance, light weight, etc., and is widely used in yachts, cruise ships and other hulls. In addition, there are also 5086, 5454, 5754, 6061 aluminum sheet and other aluminum alloy products. For example, 5086 aluminum plate has good ductility and corrosion resistance, and is often used to make ship bottoms and stern plates; 6061 aluminum sheet plate has high bending strength and ductility, and is mainly used for components such as cantilevers and bridges.
Alloy | Applications |
5052 | Mainly used for yacht hulls and hull parts. |
5083 | In the field of shipbuilding, 5083H116/H321/H112 aluminum plates are mainly used for ship decks. , engine base, ship side, bottom outer plate, etc. |
5086 | 5086 is mainly used for weldable parts of ships, yachts, small aluminum boats or large yachts. |
5154 | Marine grade aluminum plate 5154 is commonly used in welded structures such as pressure vessels and ships. |
5454 | Marine grade aluminum plate 5454 is an aluminum plate with high strength, corrosion resistance and good weldability developed for the internal structure of ships. Its strength is 22% higher than 5052, it has strong corrosion resistance, strong weldability, and generally strong formability. |
5456 | Marine grade aluminum plate 5456 is used in structural applications and can be cold worked to produce a stronger but less ductile steel. |
5754 | Marine grade aluminum plate 5754 has excellent corrosion resistance and is stronger than 5251. This high strength makes 5754 ideally suited for marine applications requiring strength and corrosion resistance in seawater. |
Railway Industry
Aluminum sheets are commonly used in the manufacture of rail vehicle bodies, carriage sidings, ceilings, floors, guardrails, etc. 6061 aluminum alloy is commonly used to manufacture the body, interior parts and brackets of rail vehicles; 6082 aluminum plate has excellent corrosion resistance and strength, and is suitable for manufacturing rail and railway equipment components that require high strength and rigidity, such as baffles, guards, etc. plates and luggage racks, etc.; 7075 aluminum alloy is suitable for manufacturing rail and railway equipment components that have high requirements for weight and strength, such as body structures and brackets.
Advantages of Aluminum Sheets For Transportation Industry
- Lightweight: Compared to steel, aluminum is significantly lighter while still offering strength and durability.
- Corrosion Resistance: Unlike other metals like iron or steel, aluminum does not rust when exposed to moisture or harsh weather conditions. This makes it ideal for exterior car parts that come into contact with water or salt on the road.
- Formability and Flexibility: Aluminum sheets can be easily formed into complex shapes using various techniques such as stamping or bending without compromising their structural integrity.
- High Thermal Conductivity: Aluminum sheets can be used to make radiators, which effectively manage temperature levels, improve the efficiency of the cooling system and prevent overheating by dissipating heat from engine components such as radiators or intercoolers.
- Recyclable: Aluminum is a recyclable material with high recycling value. The use of aluminum sheets can reduce resource consumption and environmental impact, and is in line with the principles of sustainable development.
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