Often, the aluminum extrusion process is the quickest and most cost-effective path from design through to the final product. Several factors influence the actual cost and lead-time of a specific die. The best combination of product performance, quality, and cost is achieved when the product designer, the die maker, the extruder, and the purchaser recognize each other’s requirements […]
The Aluminum Association released the 2020 Aluminum Design Manual. Updated every five years, the manual is an essential reference for engineers, designers, detailers, and architects working with aluminum in structural applications. “For decades, the Aluminum Design Manual has been a critical resource for anyone designing or engineering a structure with aluminum,” said John Weritz, vice […]
A new study, “Aluminum Content in European Passenger Cars,” published by European Aluminium estimates that the average aluminum content of European produced cars will reach nearly 180 kg in 2019, a 20% increase since 2016. The study also forecasts the average aluminum content will further increase to almost 200 kg per vehicle by 2025. The […]
The Aluminum Association released its 2019 Molten Metal Incident Report, which covers incidents for calendar year 2018. The report is designed to provide information regarding hazardous events that occur at facilities melting aluminum, with the aim of sharing safety information among facilities. Failure to use proper procedures in melting and casting aluminum can be dangerous. Since the melt […]
The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) published Technology Roadmap: Materials and Manufacturing, which forecasts materials and manufacturing trends based on the CAR team’s internal research and a thorough analysis of available industry reports. The study conclusions were achieved with critical input from a group of subject matter experts. The Technology Roadmap notes that a number of […]
Aluminum cans continue to outperform competitive packaging types on a number of key sustainability metrics, according to a new report from the Aluminum Association and the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI). “The Aluminum Can Advantage: Key Sustainability Performance Indicators 2019” finds that consumers recycle aluminum cans at nearly double the rate of glass or plastic bottles. […]
The Center for Automotive Research’s (CAR) Coalition for Automotive Lightweighting Materials (CALM) released a Roof Lightweighting Study aimed at highlighting the possibilities of mixed-material for mass reduction. A 2011 Honda Accord with a 270 MPa mild steel roof was selected as the baseline for the study, because of its potential for multi-material solutions. The roof […]
The Aluminum Association released a brand-new roadmap — The Aluminum Agenda: A Policy Roadmap for a Competitive U.S. Aluminum Industry — which lays out principles and policy goals for a sustainable U.S. aluminum sector in the 21st century. “The aluminum industry is a real bright spot for U.S. manufacturing,” said Michelle O’Neill, senior vice president, global […]
