China Business Intelligence Network reported that at present, automotive lightweight technology is mainly divided into three aspects: structural optimization design, lightweight material application and the use of advanced manufacturing processes. Among them, the use of lightweight alternative materials is generally recognized in the industry and has the most promising lightweight technology. The lightweight materials currently used mainly include high-strength steel, aluminum-magnesium alloys, modified plastics and carbon-based composite materials.
Aluminum alloy is a metal material for automobiles second only to steel. It can be divided into three forms: die-casting, extrusion and rolling according to the different processing forms. Among them, die-casting parts account for the highest proportion in the automotive field, reaching about 80%, and the application proportions of extrusion parts and calendered parts in automobiles each account for about 10%. Magnesium alloy is the lightest metal structural material currently in use. The use of magnesium alloy can reduce 15%-20% on the basis of aluminum alloy. At present, 62% of magnesium alloy products are used in the automotive industry. The countries and regions where magnesium alloys are used in the automotive industry are mainly North America, Europe, and Japan. At this stage, the application of magnesium alloys in automobiles is mainly concentrated in three parts: body, engine and interior.
In recent years, my country’s aluminum alloy output has continued to grow. The output of aluminum alloy in 2016 was 74.5 million tons, and in 2020 it will increase to 9.64 million tons. From January to September 2021, aluminum alloy output was 8.35 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 19.2%.