Aluminum Processes

Heat-Treatable Alloy Arrives for N. American Automakers

A world leader in aluminum rolled products recently announced the North American availability of a heat-treatable alloy, its latest addition to a series designed to provide greater flexibility for automakers and other industries.

Novelis Inc. unveiled the Advanz™ 6HF – e/s200, a high-formable aluminum alloy that is distinctive for its superior formability, strength performance, and weight savings for outer and inner applications. The material has sustained successful application in Europe.

The 6xxx-series alloy enables new opportunities to use aluminum for body sides, door inners, decklid outers and inners, and other closure panels. The alloy can also be used in designs and applications that required bending without the risk of cracking. In addition, Advanz™ 6HF – e/s200 creates a weight savings of nearly one-third over steel in inner door applications, benefitting vehicles that need to achieve weight reduction per customer specifications.

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Novelis, Kobe Steel Join Forces with South Korea Heat-Treat Facility

Novelis Inc. announced in May that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with Kobe Steel, Ltd., a producer of aluminum rolled products in Japan. The joint venture, to be named Ulsan Aluminum, Ltd., will be formed by Novelis selling Kobe Steel 50 percent of its ownership interest in its Ulsan, South Korea facility for US $315 million. Through the venture, Novelis and Kobe Steel will jointly own and operate the Ulsan facility, with each company remaining responsible for its metal supply and commercial relationships.

Located in the industrial hub of Korea, Novelis’ Ulsan facility currently focuses on the production of rolled aluminum sheet for a variety of markets in Asia. The plant recently completed a major expansion, adding a new three-stand hot finishing mill as well as a pusher furnace and annealing furnaces.

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