Journalists from around the world get their first look at the all-new Ford F-150 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, January 2013.
Ford Motor and Alcoa are working to produce next-generation automotive Micromill aluminum alloys that are more design-friendly the companies said today. Ford will use Alcoa’s Micromill aluminum in multiple components on the 2016 F-150, thereby becoming the first automaker to use what is called an advanced automotive aluminum commercially.
General Motors has decided to short cycle its recently revised Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks in response to Ford’s success with alternate materials and pending fuel economy regulations.
F-Series had its best August sales results since 2006, with total sales of 71,332 – a 5% increase in sales versus a year ago. F-150 EcoBoost sales also have been growing at 63% percent of F-150 retail sales in August and an 86% increase compared to EcoBoost sales a year ago.
Ford and Alcoa entered into a joint development agreement to collaborate on next-generation aluminum alloys for automotive parts using Micromill technology. The growing relationship covers current and future Micromill aluminum.
Ford will begin using Micromill material during F-150 production in the fourth quarter of 2015, and plans to increase its use over the next several years on a range of vehicle components and future platforms. Ford projects its use of Micromill aluminum on its vehicles will more than double from 2016 to 2017.
Alcoa’s Micromill technology, announced in December 2014, produces an aluminum alloy that is 40% more formable than today’s automotive aluminum. The increased formability of Micromill aluminum makes it easier to shape into intricate forms, such as the inside panels of automobile doors and external fenders. The increased material strength allows for the use of thinner aluminum sheet without compromising dent resistance.
Micromill is claimed to be the fastest, most productive aluminum casting and rolling system in the world by combining multiple technologies into a streamlined production system. A traditional rolling mill takes around 20 days to turn molten metal into coil; Micromill does it in just 20 minutes according to Alcoa.
“This high-tech aluminum will give Ford a true material edge enabling greater design flexibility and better vehicle performance – making the concept cars of tomorrow a reality,” said Klaus Kleinfeld, Alcoa chairman and chief executive officer.
“Alcoa’s breakthrough Micromill technology offers highly differentiated automotive material with strength, weight, formability and surface quality combinations previously impossible.
See:
- Aluminum Ford F-150 Top IIHS Safety Pick, but Criticized, not for the First Time on Repair Costs, which could be Premature
- Ford Approves Collision Repair Tools for Aluminum F-150
- Ford F-150 Aluminum Pickup Sheds 700 Pounds Late this Year
