Novelis launches high-strength aluminum automotive body sheet for next generation cars

Novelis, the world leading aluminium rolling and recycling company has announced the launch of Advanz™ 6HS-s650, a specialized aluminium automotive body sheet product with extraordinary strength, lightweighting, formability, performance and structural integrity. It is the strongest 6xxx series product with a 15 to 25 per cent in-service strength advantage in comparison to other high strength aluminium alloys. The alloy has excellent crash behaviour and corrosion resistance.

It is a part of the Novelis Advanz™ product portfolio and will be available globally. Through 6HS-s650, Novelis reiterates its commitment to deliver a variety of strong, formable and lightweight aluminium products for its automotive customers for a more efficient future. The alloy is suitable for high-strength automotive applications like A and B pillars, floors, tunnels, rockers, side impact door beams, bumper beams, roof rail inserts, under-body frames and electric battery enclosures' components.

6HS-s650 is 45% lighter in weight than high strength steel and helps in reducing process costs and complexity in many applications as it does not need post-form heat treatment. 6HS-s650 joins effectively with other automotive structural materials and provides better shelf life characteristics.

"Automakers demand the highest-strength solutions for substantial lightweighting, and s650 meets that requirement in a very efficient way," said Pierre Labat, Vice President Automotive, Novelis Inc. 

"By providing a product that is stronger than existing aluminium alloys without sacrificing formability, automotive designers and engineers will have even more flexibility to lightweight the cars, trucks and SUVs of the future.”

Novelis has also commercialized 6HS-s650 as part of its Alumineering™ electric vehicle battery enclosure solution and as a structural component for a major electric vehicle platform.

6HS-s650, can be easily recycled into new high-strength aluminium products as part of a closed-loop recycling. This helps in optimising product value, reducing CO2 and transportation costs and minimizing environmental impact through the supply chain.