Lightweight metals manufacturer Alcoa has developed a new Micromill technology that will enable the production of lighter but stronger aluminum automotive parts.
According to Alcoa, the aluminum alloy produced from Micromill has 40% greater formability and 30% greater strength than the current models. Also, the automotive parts made with Micromill material will be twice as formable and at least 30% lighter than those made from high strength steel.
Alcoa chairman and CEO Klaus Kleinfeld said: "Alcoa Micromill represents a major breakthrough in aluminum materials.
"This technology will unlock the next generation of automotive products with strength, formability and surface quality combinations never before possible.
"It will allow our customers to redefine the boundaries of vehicle design, supporting the creation of lighter, more fuel efficient, safer and more stylish vehicles for the future."
Micromill will enable car manufacturers to replace the use of steel with formable aluminum sheets for intricate forms such as the inside panels of automobile doors and external fenders.
The material strength of the product will improve dent resistance.
Alcoa has run trials of the mill at its pilot facility in San Antonio, Texas, and also at customer facilities. The company said it is qualifying the material for use in next-generation automotive platforms.
The technology reduces production time and energy costs as it turns molten metal into coil in 20 minutes, as against 20 days taken by the traditional methods.
Micromill and the differentiated metal produced by it are covered by more than 130 patents around the world, Alcoa said.
The company expects to tap increasing demand for aluminum automotive sheet through the new technology, which can be put to use in industrial and packaging sectors as well.
Image: Micromill technology reduces production time and energy costs. Photo: courtesy of Alcoa.
