May 2022 Volume 4

MATERIALS

Roadmap For Automotive Aluminum: Sustainable Pathways to Advance Aluminum Adoption in the Forging Industry and Beyond By John Weritz

Industry Impact The Aluminum Association is the leading voice for the domestic aluminum industry. Together with more than 120 member companies, the Association is committed to advancing mobility with the help of aluminum through its many real-world applications and with far-reaching programs including product standards, statistical data, critical research benchmarking, and more. The aluminum industry is a key contributor to the U.S. manufacturing sector and has invested more than $4 billion over the last decade to support growing demand for the metal. In the automotive market specifically, a 2020 survey of automakers conducted by Ducker, forecasts continued year over year material growth projected over the next decade. A multi-material vehicle

The transportation industry is rapidly evolving to keep pace with consumer preference and regulatory standards. Automakers are guided by clean energy priorities and focusing on design practices to enhance fleetwide efficiency without compromising vehicle safety and performance. Aluminum, the fastest growing automotive material, preferred by engineers for both internal combustion engine (ICE) and battery electric vehicles (BEV), will drive the design of next-generation mobility solutions. Against this backdrop, I’ve been along for the ride for nearly five decades to witness this phenomenal evolution of aluminum’s growth. Today, the Aluminum Association’s members across the entire value chain—the manufacturers and fabricators of the metal—are committed to ongoing, pre-competitive collaboration to fuel industry innovation.

construction and the onslaught of electrified powertrains and BEV platforms drive aluminum’s increased market penetration. Ducker also forecasts an increase in aluminum extrusions by four pounds per vehicle (PPV), with 10 percent utilization increase for crash management systems applications. Forgings increased two PPV with a seven percent increase in vehicles utilizing forged control arms as well as two percent growth of vehicles using forged steering knuckles. As electrification grows, the analysis confirms demand for aluminum extrusions and high-pressure aluminum diecast parts will grow due to increased use in applications like battery housings, motor housings and body structural components.

Photo credit: Commonwealth Rolled Products

FIA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022 38