aluminium show | Inaugural Air Rail Line Launched with Impressive All-Aluminum Carriages
According to the data from the Aluminium show, China added a total of 3.71 million tons of new recycled aluminum capacity in 2023, including approximately 1.77 million tons of new recycled cast aluminum alloy and the total built-up capacity reaches 15.04 million tons, with an additional capacity of approximately 1.94 million tons for recycled deformed aluminum alloy.
Aluminum alloy, the most widely used non-ferrous structural material in industrial applications, is extensively used in aviation, aerospace, automotive, machinery manufacturing, shipbuilding, and chemical industries. The rapid development of the industrial economy has increased the demand for aluminum alloy welding structures, leading to deeper research into its weldability. Among the four light metal materials used today—aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and aluminum-based composites—aluminum alloy offers the best cost-performance ratio.
Aluminum alloy carriages, an intermediate product in vehicle lightweighting, use aluminum alloy materials for sub-beams, skeletons, and side panels, significantly reducing vehicle weight and representing the most substantial weight reduction in vehicles. To achieve the lightest possible design, air rail carriages, which are designed to be as light as possible, are made from lightweight metal materials. The recently launched "Guanggu Photon" carriage is entirely made of aluminum, meaning that under current technological conditions, all parts that can be made of aluminum alloy are used. This carriage utilizes aluminum alloys like 3003, 5083, 6063, 6N61, 7075, A390, achieving an aluminum utilization rate of over 89%, the highest current level. Besides their load-carrying and passenger-transporting functions, aluminum alloy carriages also play a role in protecting personal and property safety. As long as the strength is sufficient, the carrying capacity of aluminum carriages is comparable to steel ones, with superior rust resistance—even if the paint is scratched off, there's no concern about corrosion.
Due to the advantages of aluminum alloy materials, their application in vehicles is increasingly widespread. From aluminum radiators, aluminum wheels, aluminum engine blocks, cylinder heads, aluminum chassis steering knuckles, control arms, to aluminum engine covers, aluminum doors, and the aluminum body itself, aluminum alloys have transitioned from localized to comprehensive use. They have become the primary material for vehicle lightweighting, with a broad future prospect.