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Ford Looks to Put More Aluminum in its F-150s
09/21/2015 - Ford Motor Co. plans to incorporate more aluminum in its best-selling F-150 pickup truck, using a new alloy in certain structural parts and exterior panels.
Under a new supply deal with Alcoa Inc., Ford said it will begin adding certain aluminum parts made from Alcoa Inc.’s Micromill process.
Alcoa says the process yields an aluminum that is 40 percent more formable and 30 percent stronger than current automotive aluminum. It also takes much less time to make, Alcoa claims.
Ford is to begin using the material in the fourth quarter of 2015 for 2016 F-150 production. It said it eventually will increase its use in parts and in other vehicles.
Automotive News reported that Micromill aluminum will be used to make three tailgate-reinforcement parts and, eventually, others, including box cross-members and wheelhouses. All of those already are made of aluminum; however, the intent is to replace more high-strength steel with Micromill aluminum parts through future development work on the truck and on other vehicles, Automotive News said.
“The real flexibility is when we start designing parts specifically for this material,” said Raj Nair, Ford’s product development chief.
Alcoa says the process yields an aluminum that is 40 percent more formable and 30 percent stronger than current automotive aluminum. It also takes much less time to make, Alcoa claims.
Ford is to begin using the material in the fourth quarter of 2015 for 2016 F-150 production. It said it eventually will increase its use in parts and in other vehicles.
Automotive News reported that Micromill aluminum will be used to make three tailgate-reinforcement parts and, eventually, others, including box cross-members and wheelhouses. All of those already are made of aluminum; however, the intent is to replace more high-strength steel with Micromill aluminum parts through future development work on the truck and on other vehicles, Automotive News said.
“The real flexibility is when we start designing parts specifically for this material,” said Raj Nair, Ford’s product development chief.
