Aluminium—the material of the future

Aluminium piston

There are many reasons for using aluminum alloys in pistons for gasoline and diesel engines: low weight, high thermal conductivity, simple production, high reliability, very good recycling properties. And not forgetting the high fatigue resistance with optimized conditions in respect to chemical composition, production and heat treatment.

Aluminum is continually progressing
Although pioneering materials such as carbon, magnesium and powder-metallic aluminum for pistons are investigated as part of MAHLE R & D, one thing is clearly discernible: Progress with cast and forged aluminum alloys reveals that this piston material still offers great opportunities—and will continue to play a dominant role as piston material in the future.