The global initiative aimed at reducing CO2 emissions of motor vehicles calls for new applications of lightweight construction in all areas of a vehicle. The nineties saw a breakthrough in the use of aluminium in vehicle construction with the launch of the Audi Space Frame, giving new momentum to lightweight construction in the automotive industry. Systematic lightweight construction has since established itself with almost all vehicle manufacturers, and has been applied not just to the bodyshell, but also to the running gear or drive systems, and innovative lightweight solutions continue to be developed. Material developers are making an enormous contribution in this regard. A hitherto uncharted area on the lightweight construction map has been its utilisation in the crankshaft drive of a combustion engine. This field has so far been the preserve of steel. Nevertheless, the LEIBER Group has now succeeded in achieving its ambitious goal of modifying an aluminium alloy so that it can be used in the engine interior. Developing new ultra high strength aluminium alloys displaying strengths of up to 700 MPa and matching the material to the component configuration and innovative processes have cleared the way for new applications for aluminium within the combustion engine itself. An aluminium connecting rod for a 4-cylinder combustion engine has been developed. By matching material to the component design the LEIBER Group, working in conjunction with the University of Stuttgart, has managed to utilise the lightweight potential of ultra strong aluminium materials and to reduce the weight of the connecting rod in comparison with conventional steel connecting rods by about 45%. This corresponds to a weight reduction of about 1 kg in a 4-cylinder combustion engine. It marks a major advance in lightweight construction technology.
It depends on the material - Aluminium connecting rods
2012
13 Seiten, 10 Bilder, 1 Tabelle, 3 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Datenträger
Englisch
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