Automotive & Transportation
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Aluminium is a strong, durable and light material. Aluminium enters into the automotive industry once the usage of the light materials in the automobiles becomes widespread. Parallel to this development, aluminium parts are commonly used in the automobiles.
Increasing global competition and environmental awareness prompts the usage of the aluminium by the motor vehicle producers due to the added values provided by aluminium.
Aluminium is one of the important materials in vehicle production in the transportation sector. Approximately 25% of the aluminium belongs to vehicle production.
The lighter the vehicle is, the less energy it will need to propel it. Nowadays, 50 kg of aluminium is used in an automobile. Thus, approximately 100 kg of iron, steel and copper material are saved. As a result of the calculations and experiences, it has been understood that an automobile which contains aluminium consumes 1500 liters less fuel than an automobile which does not contain enough aluminium over its economic life.
This situation has many benefits for both the economy of the drivers as it decreases the fuel costs and the environment as it minimizes waste exhaust.
For the vehicles which move and stop frequently like bus and train, it is important that the vehicle is lightweight. Nowadays, significant amount of fuel saving is obtained thanks to the aluminium used in the big vehicles such as bus, train or truck.
Moreover, aluminium usage becomes more common in the traffic and direction signing system in highways, highway parapets and bridges. In marine vessels, particularly boats, position of the center of gravity is lowered with the aluminium super structure systems; therefore, balance of the boat is increased and more volume is obtained. Poles of small boats and yachts are made of aluminium. 70% of an airplane by weight consists of aluminium. Lightness as well as the hardness of the aluminium alloys contributes to the development of airplanes, thus the aviation sector. Following the Duraluminium (aluminium-copper) alloys, the most important airplane material will be aluminium-lithium alloys in future. It is possible that the airplanes will be 15% lighter with the aluminium-lithium alloys.
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