Material innovation for lightweight automotive construction

07.12.2021

TRIMET Aluminium SE has developed a new aluminium alloy. The trimal®-38 high pressure die cast alloy sees the aluminium specialist broaden its range of materials to meet the increasing material requirements in automotive construction and open up new application areas for light metal.

With the new trimal®-38 (AlSi8ZnMn) alloy, TRIMET provides a material that enables the achievement of further reductions in component weight while maintaining proven mechanical properties. The high pressure die cast alloy also achieves excellent castability and ductility during manufacture of large die cast structural components. “Modern vehicle construction offers new application options for aluminium as a material. The goal of achieving ever reduced weight while simultaneously maintaining mechanical properties makes very high demands on material design. We have succeeded in mastering this balancing act with our new alloys”, says Thomas Reuther, member of the Executive Board at TRIMET Aluminium SE. 

Despite its low silicon content of maximum 8.5 percent, the new alloy can be cast using the process parameters of the widespread trimal®-37 (AlSi9Mn) alloy, thus facilitating a change of alloy. Other alloy elements optimize its flowability, strength and die filling capacity and, simultaneously, minimize the adhesion tendency of the material. trimal®-38 is also extremely resistant to corrosion. Limitation of magnesium content to a maximum of 0.01 percent means that the material need not be heat treated to achieve the desired mechanical properties. trimal®-38 is particularly suitable for components in electric vehicles such as battery housings or structural components that must withstand crash load conditions without heat treatment and are joined through welding or with self-piercing rivets. 

trimal®-38 Product sheet

By: Wolfgang Nübold