What are the applications of titanium alloy in automobile?
I. Advantages of titanium and titanium alloy
Advantages of titanium metal: high strength, light weight, high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance. Modulus of elasticity is about half of steel, low coefficient of thermal expansion, about 50 % of stainless steel and aluminum, non-magnetic, low thermal conductivity, corrosion-resistant, non-polluting to the environment. Therefore, not only the aerospace industry and the chemical industry has been a large number of titanium, and as an automotive material has long attracted people's attention. Automobile titanium can greatly reduce the weight of the car, reduce fuel consumption, improve efficiency, improve the environment and reduce noise.
II. The application of titanium alloy in the car
1. Engine Connecting Rod
Engine connecting rods made of titanium alloys can effectively reduce engine mass, improve fuel utilization and reduce exhaust emissions. Compared with steel connecting rods, titanium connecting rods can reduce mass by 15% to 20%. The application of titanium connecting rods was firstly realized in the new Ferrari 3.5LV8 and Acura NSX engines in Italy. The materials used for titanium connecting rods are mainly Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al, Ti-3Al- 2.0V and Ti-4Al-4Mo-S n-0.5S i.
2. Engine Valves
Automobile engine valves made of titanium alloy can not only reduce the quality and extend the service life, but also reduce fuel consumption and improve the reliability of the car. Titanium valves compared with steel valves, the quality can be reduced by 30% to 40%, the engine limit speed can be increased by 20%.
3. Valve Spring Seat
High strength and fatigue resistance is the valve spring seat must have the performance of β titanium alloy for heat treatment type alloy, can be solid solution aging treatment to obtain high strength, the corresponding more suitable materials are Ti - 15V - 3Cr - 3Al - 3Sn.
4. Titanium Alloy Spring
Titanium and its alloys relative to steel materials have a lower modulus of elasticity, σs/E value is large, suitable for the manufacture of elastic components. Compared with steel car springs, under the premise of the same elastic work, the height of titanium springs is only 40% of steel springs, and the quality is only 30% to 40% of steel springs, which facilitates the design of the car body. In addition, titanium alloy excellent fatigue performance and corrosion resistance can improve the service life of the spring.
Titanium is used in large quantities in the exhaust systems of automobiles. Titanium exhaust systems can reduce mass by about 40% compared to steel exhaust systems. Titanium mufflers have a mass of only 5 to 6 kg, which is lighter than stainless steel and other mufflers. The replacement system has the same strength and makes the car faster, more maneuverable and more fuel-efficient. The titanium used for the muffler is also primarily industrially pure titanium.
6. Body Frame Section
In order to improve the safety and reliability of automobiles, consideration needs to be given to the design and manufacturing aspects, especially the materials used in manufacturing. Titanium is an excellent material for body frames, not only for its high specific strength, but also for its good toughness.
7. Other Titanium Components
In addition to the above components, titanium is also used in engine rocker arms, suspension springs, engine piston pins, automotive fasteners, lug nuts, automotive door protruding beams, automotive gear brackets, brake caliper pistons, pin pins, pressure plates, shift buttons and automotive clutch plate and other automotive parts.
