Aluminum alloy sheets are increasingly being used for automotive bodies to reduce their weights and are required to have excellent mechanical properties, joining performance and corrosion resistance. For outer panels, Kobe Steel has been working to improve the performance of 6000 series (Al-Mg-Si) alloys in bake hardenability, formability, and surface quality after stamping. For inner panels and structural members, the application of Ti/Zr surface treatment is being promoted to meet the requirements for the durability of adhesive bonding, which are mainly adopted by non-Japanese automakers. This paper introduces developments in the application of aluminum alloy sheets to automotive bodies and developments for overcoming technological issues.
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