Out of the need for environmental protection and energy saving, lightweighting is an inevitable trend in the development of automobiles. The lightweight of automobiles is essential to reduce the weight of the car body, reduce fuel consumption and reduce emissions. Automotive lightweighting can be achieved through advanced cnc machining processes, lightweight materials, and structural design. Lightweight materials include titanium, magnesium, ceramics, plastics, glass fibers, carbon fiber composite materials, and so on.
Considering the comprehensive performance of light weight, energy saving and environmental protection, titanium alloy is the first choice material for automobile lightweight. There have been many countries devoted to the research of titanium alloy for automobiles. Studies have shown that for every kilogram of titanium used in a car, a 2kg weight reduction effect can be obtained; for every 10% car weight loss, fuel consumption can be reduced by 6-8%, and exhaust emissions can be reduced by 4%.
Titanium alloy materials can be divided into deformed titanium alloys and cast titanium alloys. Among them, the deformed titanium alloy can be used in body system components, heat exchanger system components, vans, etc.; the cast titanium alloy can be used in engine systems, transmission systems, clutch pedals, steering wheels, etc. Titanium alloy has high specific strength, corrosion resistance and good formability. After heat treatment, the strength can be comparable to that of steel. Therefore, it can be used as an ideal lightweight material for automobiles. Titanium alloy materials are lightweight for current and future periods. Mainly choose alternative materials.
With the increasing weight of automobiles and the increasing demand for titanium alloys in new energy vehicles, PTJ profile machines also play an important role in the automotive industry. There are mature solutions for the processing of auto parts such as car luggage racks, bumpers, foot pedals, skylight guide rails, and decorative strips. Cabinet-type truck boxes, large pallet trucks, buses, and battery trays for new energy vehicles can also be further processed using PTJ equipment.
Compared with foreign advanced automobiles, there is still a big gap between the application of my country’s titanium alloy plates in the automobile field and the automobile manufacturing countries. In the developed countries of the automobile industry, 18% of machining titanium materials are used for automobile manufacturing. The average amount of titanium used in each car is about 140kg, and it is growing at a rate of 20%-30% per year. It is reported that my country has introduced relevant policies to support the industrialization of high-quality titanium alloy automobile plates.
In 2018, although my country’s domestic sales showed the first annual decline in many years, the annual output and annual sales are the first in the world. Especially in terms of new energy vehicles, it still maintains rapid development. According to the plan, my country’s new energy vehicles will reach 2 million in 2020. For new energy vehicles, lightweight technology is one of the core key technologies, especially in the environment of subsidized retreat, how to choose a suitable route, and also consider performance, battery life and cost, etc. The energy vehicle industry is a great challenge.
According to reports, the German SGL Carbon recently announced that it has reached a cooperation with NIO. SGL will develop a prototype of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic battery case for Weilai. The battery case is 40% lighter than a traditional titanium or steel battery case, has high rigidity, and has a thermal conductivity 200 times lower than that of titanium. It is understood that most of the power battery pack shells of electric vehicles are made of titanium and steel.
In the power battery, the tray takes up 20~30% of the weight of the battery system, which is actually the main structural part. Titanium alloy material can first meet the structural requirements of vehicle parts, including battery systems, and can replace some of the steel structure materials. The application of titanium alloys for vehicles mainly includes 5××× series (Al-Mg) and 6××× series (Al-Mg-Si), etc. The titanium pallet mainly uses 6 series titanium profiles (the application of materials requires further analysis And fumble).
6 series titanium alloy has moderate strength, good formability and corrosion resistance, excellent comprehensive performance, low yield strength after solution hardening and natural aging treatment, good stamp formability, and increased strength after baking paint treatment, anti-sag The ability is enhanced, so this material is the first choice for lightweight vehicles.
Car safety is not measured by the thickness of the iron sheet, but by the safety design of the body structure. In recent years, countries around the world have been developing lightweight bodies, reducing emissions, and promoting new energy sources. It is the development trend of automobiles that will make them lighter. As an important material for machining automotive lightweight, titanium alloy must be based on the global market and pay attention to its sustainable development for a long time.
