Page 4 - Motor Fan illustrated Special Edition

Use of aluminum alloys in automobiles 2

DRIVETRAIN & POWERTRAIN

The frame to support the drivetrain and powertrain requires both high rigidity and light weight. For this reason, frame
structures using high-strength structural aluminum alloy sheet and extruded shapes are increasingly being used.
More aluminum forged products are also being used for the suspension, as well as parts such as brake calipers, hub
carriers, and steering knuckles.

Hub carriers
These components connect the
suspension arms with the brakes and
wheels.
Heat insulator
This is a heat shield that protects the
fuel system, brakes, and sensors from
the high heat of the engine exhaust
system.

Motor Fan illustrated
Suspension arms

As critical safety components, these
need to be highly reliable. The use of
high-strength forged aluminum parts is
increasing.

ALUMINUM AUTOMOBILE TECHNOLOGY

04

Aluminum wheels
Although both cast and forged aluminum
wheels are used, forged aluminum
wheels are lighter and stronger.

Brake calipers
PORSCHE PANAMERA As these are exposed to high temperatures,
while also being repeatedly subjected to
stress, they need high thermal stability and
good abrasion resistance.

Aluminum alloy is extensively used in
the hybrid body and platform of this
sports car. It adopts the standardized
MSB (Modularer Standardantriebs-
Baukasten) modular platform which is
shared by the PANAMERA and Bentley
Continental GT models.