Page 12 - MFi Vol.152 ATZ Extra Issue 2019

UACJ R&D Center
TE C H R E P O R T

Bringing out aluminum’s functionality

in vehicle manufacture

Motor Fan illustrated

Creating new forms to meet the demands of vehicle electrification
ALUMINUM AUTOMOBILE TECHNOLOGY
by fully using expertise as an aluminum materials manufacturer
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UACJ Corporation is one of the world’s manufacturer specializing in aluminum from the viewpoint of a materials
leading rolled aluminum manufacturers. rolled products, our aim is to develop manufacturer, thereby contributing to
The R&D Center actually goes back to aluminum alloys which are as easy to the creation of finished products. With
the former Furukawa-Sky Aluminum use as steel and carry out its high heat conductivity and radiation
Corporation and the light metal research technological developments in a performance, and good corrosion
team of Sumitomo Metal Industries Co. comprehensive manner to support our resistance, aluminum is used for most of
Ltd. In 1936, Dr. Isamu Igarashi customers’ vehicle production.” the heat exchangers of air conditioners,
invented ESD (Extra Super Duralumin), (Kazuhisa Shibue, Chief Executive, radiators, etc. UACJ has accumulated
the world’s strongest aluminum alloy as R&D Division) extensive knowhow for the development
a material for the production of aircraft. of members for heat exchangers,
As for aluminum alloy extrusions, in flux-free brazing, and surface treatment
The UACJ R&D Center has three bases addition to their light weight and high technology such as pre-coating.
today, in Japan, North America and rigidity, they have attracted attention for
Thailand, with 300 top researchers from their shock absorption characteristics,
the world’s aluminum rolling industry. and their use has been expanded to
In the production of cars, aluminum has bumpers and chassis members. Bumper
gradually taken over from steel. The use reinforcement ASSY is a typical example
of aluminum sheets began with of this. The Center designs members,
bonnets, and was then expanded to including bumper beams and crash
body panels, including fenders, trunk boxes, with an optimal cross-sectional
lids and doors. ɹ ɹɹɹɹɹɹɹɹɹ shape using CAE analysis technology.
“Capitalizing on our strengths as a It also gets involved in development

(Source: Motor Fan illustrated vol.151 2019)