Alcoa Components Add Zing to the Z06 Corvette
A key structural element of the sleek, new General Motors Z06 Corvette body structure is its full-length aluminum frame rails, engineered as a performance enhancer over the base C5 steel rails.
Frame rail extrusions
Alcoa provides the aluminum extrusions for two, full-length aluminum frame rails and the roof-bow, which are main structural elements of the vehicle's aluminum spaceframe. The aluminum components are produced at two of Alcoa’s U.S. automotive units located in Cressona, Pennsylvania and Auburn, Indiana. Use of weight-saving materials, such as aluminum, helped the Z06 Corvette break the four-second barrier from 0 to 60, with a time of 3.7 seconds.
Weighing approximately 50 pounds each at 6 inches in diameter and 14 feet long, the aluminum frame rails are some of the largest ever used for this type of application, according to Dave Dobson, president of Alcoa Engineered Products.
“By working closely with our customer on their specifications, GM did not need to retrofit their tube bending, or hydroforming equipment, to accommodate aluminum,” said Dobson, explaining that Alcoa agreed to supply extrusions that would fit into GM's existing hydroforming process. “Hydroforming of Alcoa's large diameter seamless tube represents an exciting new application for both Alcoa and GM.”
Suspension fasteners
In addition, the Z06 Corvette is also using Alcoa Fastening Systems' Recoil brand screw thread inserts to strengthen the threads where the suspension components attach to the car's chassis.
Alcoa wiring
In addition to Alcoa being sourced for these various lightweight aluminum components, Alcoa is also supplying the power and signal distribution system essential for the high-performance vehicle.
“AFL Automotive designed the distribution system for the 2005 Corvette; we enhanced that system to meet the high-performance requirements of the Z06,” said Bob Alexander, vice president of Alcoa and presidentof AFL Automotive.
The Z06 Corvette is scheduled to debut later this year.
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Recoil brand screw thread inserts
Contact Alcoa Fastening Systems
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Power and signal distribution systems
Contact AFL Automotive
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Automotive aluminum extrusions
Contact Alcoa Engineered Products
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Aluminum spaceframe design
Contact Alcoa Advanced Transportation Systems
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Alcoa has been sourced for lightweight aluminum components and the power and signal distribution system for the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, scheduled to debut soon.
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