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Aluminum: New challenges in downstream activities

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Abstract

During its history, aluminum’s attractive features, such as high strength-to-weight ratio, good electrical mass conductivity, and unique corrosion behavior, have led to a spectacular expansion in its use. The role of aluminum in non-aluminum-based materials is also very important; its contribution to the improvement of magnesium and titanium alloys and to highly complex packaging materials are some of the noteworthy examples. Significant cost reductions on the basic metal production level, near-to-shape fabricating methods, and the well-functioning recycling system are also major contributors to aluminum success. Imminent challenges for the industry are the need for products with very close tolerances on a mass fabricating repetitive basis and just-in-time delivery to original-equipment manufacturers and small users through distributors. A significant part of the challenges remains in the applications area, particularly automotive and aerospace.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. SNC-Lavalin, USA

    Miklos N. Becker (project engineer)

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  1. Miklos N. Becker
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Author’s Note: This article, dealing with current trends in downstream activities and the challenges the aluminum fabricating industry is facing, serves as a follow-up to the article “Aluminum: Approaching the New Millennium,” by H.A. Øye et al., which appeared in the February 1999 issue of JOM.

For more information, contact M.N. Becker, SNC-Lavalin, Aluminum Division, 455 Boulevard Rene-Levesque West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2Z 1Z3; (514) 399-1658; fax (514) 395-1323; e-mail mxbecker@bechtel.com.

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Becker, M.N. Aluminum: New challenges in downstream activities. JOM 51, 26–38 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-999-0220-6

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