BRAZILIAN ALUMINUM - solutions for sustainable living

BRAZILIAN ALUMINUM SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING 41 ALUMINUM AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING SOLUTIONS We still do not have answers for all those questions, yet projections have somewhat shown an increased use of aluminum in vehicles, making them safer and more efficient. Safety: given aluminum resistance and outstanding energy absorption during a collision, all aluminum-intensive vehicles that have so far undergone impact testing by the National Safety Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States, attained the maximum 5-star score. Efficiency: aluminum has about one-third the weight of the steel, which means the parts can be resistant while reducing the weight of vehicles, boosting fuel efficiency, minimizing operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Where can aluminum be used in automobiles? Lighter electric vehicles consume less energy, require more compact battery systems, thus decreasing their final cost. Worldwide, global manufacturers of automotive aluminum have built strategic partnerships with automakers to devise new alloys and designs that encourage recycling at the end of the vehicles’ life cycle. Yet promising, the transport market in Brazil demanded nearly 210,000 tons of aluminum in 2015. Whilst this segment accounts for nearly 26% of the total aluminum consumed worldwide, in Brazil, it has accounted for 16% of the domestic consumption of aluminum. As for per capita consumption, the following table shows Brazil being still at a large potential for growth, even when it is compared to countries with similar per capita income like Mexico and Argentina. Body structure Body skin sheet Suspension components Brake housing Airbag housings Trim Powertrain castings Bumper beams Heat exchangers Wiring Transmission components Wheels ©Ponto&Letra |dreamstime.com Driveshaft