Title: Application of aluminium to body components: current trends and future prospects

Authors: T. Sakauchi, T. Kumamoto, K. Yamamoto

Addresses: Central Engineering Laboratories, Materials Development Department, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., 560-2 Okatsukoku, Atsugi-city, Kanagawa, 243-01, Japan. ' Central Engineering Laboratories, Materials Development Department, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., 560-2 Okatsukoku, Atsugi-city, Kanagawa, 243-01, Japan. ' Central Engineering Laboratories, Materials Development Department, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., 560-2 Okatsukoku, Atsugi-city, Kanagawa, 243-01, Japan

Abstract: This paper explains the current trends and future prospects for the application of aluminium to automotive body panels. In recent years there have been increasing demands for techniques of weight reduction. This has been necessary to comply with the U.S. CAFE standards and the so-called gas-guzzler tax and to improve dynamic performance. The use of aluminium for body components is especially effective in reducing vehicle weight and is expected to be a key technology in the coming years. The application of aluminium to certain body parts of the 300ZX and the Skyline GT-R models was examined from the standpoint of formability, spot-weldability, corrosion resistance and other performance requirements. Among other techniques described herein is a system of applying a conversion coating to car bodies made of dissimilar metals such as steel and aluminium.

Keywords: aluminium body components; automotive body components; corrosion resistance; formability; galvanic corrosion; material substitution; painting; spot welding; weldability; weight reduction; zinc phosphate coatings; automobile industry; car body panels.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.1992.036515

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 1992 Vol.7 No.4, pp.319 - 330

Published online: 04 Nov 2010 *

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