Metals for AutomotiveAlloys and metals, which are used by our foundry customers today to service the different applications within the automotive sector, are a far cry from the castings used in the cars of yesteryear.Where cast iron plates and rivets once ruled supreme aluminium, magnesium, titanium, and high strength low alloy castings have now taken over to meet the casting needs of today’s modern vehicles. The incorporation of once specialised items such as turbo chargers into main stream production vehicles allied to advances in braking systems, gearboxes, bearings and manifolds have demanded their own specific design and alloying challenges. In addition, as the drive for lower emissions and greater fuel efficiency continues, pressure mounts on manufacturers to provide vehicles that can use alternative fuels such as electricity and liquefied petroleum gas. This means further changes to the nature and specification of automotive components look set to emerge. Of course, the automotive industry is not just confined to cars. In the agricultural and construction sector we also see the need for castings that can withstand the adverse environments that these machines are designed to work in. Engines aside, there is also a need for high integrity precision castings. These are required to cope with the demands of high pressure hydraulic systems, impact, wear and abrasion resistant castings. An example would be castings containing manganese and molybdenum required by dragline and diggers, track parts with high chromium and nickel contents, which can help power the machines through freezing snow and arid deserts. From cars to cranes, camshafts through to crankshafts, valves, engine and gearbox casings and turbochargers, today William Rowland Limited are market leaders in the supply of many alloys and metals. The quality of metals we provide, combined with our standard of service, enables foundry customers to produce the rich variety of alloys required for the many different applications used within the automotive sector today. |
