Automotive Aluminum

Aluminum content in North American vehicles, as measured by average pounds in use per car/light truck, has risen for over 35 consecutive years. By 2010, aluminum content in North American vehicles averaged roughly 350 lbs. and globally was the second most-utilized material in light vehicles.

Automakers have turned to aluminum for the many advantages it confers, including weight savings, recyclability, parts consolidation, and crashworthiness. Below are some facts about aluminum and the automotive industry.

Use
From 1994 through 2008, the transportation industry represented the largest end-use market for aluminum—with light vehicles (cars and trucks) accounting for the bulk of those shipments. The year 2009, however, marked the worst year for auto sales since 1982 and, as such, transportation applications accounted for only 23.7 percent of all aluminum shipments—4.22 billion pounds in all. Nonetheless, aluminum continued to increase its penetration into the light vehicle market in applications ranging from wheels to frames to suspension components, brake calipers, engine blocks, cylinder heads, body panels, and bumpers.

Environmental Strengths
More than 85 percent of post-consumer automotive aluminum scrap, and virtually all post-manufacturing automotive aluminum scrap, is recycled. A study by Ducker Worldwide indicates that, among North American vehicles, 57 percent of of all automotive aluminum was sourced from recycled metal. Aluminum has "sustained recyclability"—which means it can be recycled again and again without a decline in material performance or quality. Secondary aluminum requires just 5 percent of the energy needed to produce primary aluminum and generates just 5 percent of the emissions. Aluminum recycling is a successful enterprise without the need for government incentives or regulation.

Advantages
Today, aluminum accounts for approximately 10 percent of a vehicle's total weight, but it represents 35-50 percent of the total material scrap value at the end of its useful life. Aluminum has one-third the density of steel, which means a component can be 1.5 times thicker than a steel version while remaining 50 percent lighter. It can absorb twice as much energy as steel at the same weight. It is corrosion resistant, unlike steel which must be coated with other metals like zinc to improve its resistance to corrosion. Aluminum's lighter weight and stiffness can enhance a vehicle's acceleration and handling, and reduce its noise, vibration, and harshness characteristics.

For more information on aluminum in autos, visit www.drivealuminum.org.

Autolightweighting
AutomotiveAluminumAlloysAndApplications
Autorepair
Crashworthiness
HandlingAndPerformance
JoiningTechniques
Manufacturability
RecyclabilityAndScrapValue