Aluminium Conference | China Aluminium Material Institute Empowers Yunnan Aluminum Zexin to Lead with High-Strength 6xxx Aluminum Alloy Rods

Recently, the "Development of High-Quality Ingot for High-Strength 6xxx Aluminum Alloy and Integrated Technology for High-Strength Ultra-Light Forged Wheel Hub Preparation" project, developed collaboratively by the high-strength and tough forging alloy research team at China Aluminum Materials Institute and Yunnan Aluminum Zexin, was evaluated by authoritative institutions. The project's technological achievements have been rated as "internationally advanced overall, with some technologies at the global forefront."

Aluminum alloy wheel hubs have shown rapid development in China's non-ferrous industry, presenting vast market prospects. Through a collaborative approach, China Aluminum Materials Institute and Yunnan Aluminum Zexin leveraged their respective strengths to effectively address two significant technical challenges: enhancing the quality of high-performance 6xxx aluminum cast rods without skin removal and maximizing weight reduction in commercial vehicle forged wheel hubs. To break the foreign monopoly, the team overcame numerous challenges, starting from developing high-performance aluminum alloy materials, optimizing imported oil and gas sliding equipment, perfecting integrated ingot preparation technology, and innovating lightweight designs for forged wheel hubs. After years of dedicated research, the team achieved several breakthroughs. One notable achievement includes developing a high-tensile strength 6xxx aluminum alloy and its premium casting rod preparation technology, which enhances strength by 15% compared to high-strength alloys used in American wheel hubs. Another is creating a lighter, longer-lasting, and more cost-effective high-performance forged wheel hub for commercial vehicles, surpassing similar advanced international products. With the successful implementation of this technology at Yunnan Aluminum Zexin, the company swiftly captured a significant share of the domestic forged wheel hub market, securing its leadership in the industry and generating tens of millions of yuan in direct economic benefits.

According to the Aluminium Conference, China Aluminum Materials Institute continues to explore cooperative development models between academic and corporate entities, focusing on becoming a hub for pioneering original technologies. Through continuous technological innovation and application of findings, it provides comprehensive technical support and new product development services across the entire production chain to aluminum processing companies within the China Aluminum Group. This sustained effort in value creation plays a crucial role in supporting the China Aluminum Group's mission to establish itself as a top-tier global non-ferrous metal enterprise.