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tion retention. Furthermore, development WOULD BE USE OF OUR COATING
of molding technology was required TECHNOLOGY TO SOLVE THE ISSUE
because European manufacturers, who OF ELECTROLYTIC CORROSION
are aggressively promoting the use of RESULTING FROM THE USE OF
aluminum, often carry out five or six MULTI-MATERIALS. ANOTHER
press processes, whereas domestic WOULD BE TO SUGGEST SOLUTIONS
manufacturers tend to use just four. FOR SURFACE TREATMENT,
PUTTING PARTS TOGETHER, AND
PRODUCING THEM IN PRESCRIBED
“CAPITALIZING ON OUR
SHAPES.”
STRENGTHS AS A MANUFACTURER
SPECIALIZING IN ALUMINUM (Yasuhiro Hosomi,
ROLLED PRODUCTS, OUR AIM IS Deputy Head of the R&D Center)
TO DEVELOP ALUMINUM ALLOYS
WHICH ARE AS EASY TO USE AS
The Innovation Area also displays a
STEEL AND CARRY OUT
battery housing which joins fistulous
TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
extruded members with a coolant flow
IN A COMPREHENSIVE MANNER TO
channel using FSW (friction-stir welding)
SUPPORT OUR CUSTOMERS’
technology.
VEHICLE PRODUCTION.”
(Kazuhisa Shibue, “THE MANY SAMPLES ON DISPLAY
Chief Executive, R&D Division) SERVE AS A SPRINGBOARD FOR
DISCUSSION. WE WOULD LIKE
As for aluminum alloy extrusions, in CUSTOMERS TO CONSIDER IF OUR
addition to their light weight and high PRODUCTS MEET THEIR NEEDS FOR
rigidity, they have attracted attention for MANUFACTURING VEHICLES AND
their shock absorption characteristics, LET US HEAR ALL THEIR
and their use has been expanded to REQUESTS.”
bumpers and chassis members. Bumper ture constant is extremely important.
(Kazuhisa Shibue,
reinforcement ASSY is a typical example
Chief Executive, R&D Division)
of this. “IT’S ESSENTIAL TO ADDRESS
The Center designs members, THERMAL MANAGEMENT. WE WANT
including bumper beams and crash Aluminum also plays an important role TO SUGGEST CUSTOMER-FRIENDLY
boxes, with an optimal cross-sectional as a material for the lithium-ion batteries SOLUTIONS BY COMBINING THE
shape using CAE analysis technology. which are widely used for peripheral TECHNOLOGIES THAT WE HAVE
It also gets involved in development materials, including the electrode foil for ACCUMULATED OVER THE YEARS.”
from the viewpoint of a materials current collectors, case materials, bus bar
manufacturer, thereby contributing to the materials, and tab terminal lead materials. (Yasuhiro Hosomi,
creation of finished products. Batteries always generate heat as a result Deputy Head of the R&D Center)
With its high heat conductivity and of being charged and discharged, so a heat
radiation performance, and good management system to keep the tempera-
corrosion resistance, aluminum is used
for most of the heat exchangers of air
conditioners, radiators, etc.
UACJ has accumulated extensive
knowhow for the development of
members for heat exchangers, flux-free
brazing, and surface treatment technolo-
gy such as pre-coating.

“AS A MATERIALS MANUFACTURER
WITH A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE,
WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE
APPROACHES TO CUSTOMERS
REGARDING OUR GREATER
INVOLVEMENT IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF VEHICLES IN
THE FUTURE. ONE EXAMPLE

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