Cast aluminum lower control arm reduces weight by 40%.(Forming/Processing)

Advanced Materials & Processes,  August, 2004  

Tags: Alcoa Inc., aluminum

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An aluminum hollow rear control arm that reduces mass by 40% when compared with fabricated steel and up to 30% compared with solid aluminum has been cast by Alcoa Automotive Castings, Farmington Hills, Mich. The part was cast by Alcoa's vacuum-riserless-casting/pressure-riserless-casting permanent mold process, which produces thin-walled castings with the necessary properties.

Control arms essentially hold the rear wheels on the vehicle, and they affect ride and handling performance. The part yields an efficient transfer of load from the vehicle wheels to the subframe due to its ...

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