Transportation

To produce industrial aluminum of this caliber, Novelis begins by carefully controlling the composition of the alloy, then taking exceptional care in the casting procedure to avoid non-metallic impurities. The surfaces of the aluminum ingots are then sawed and scalped to remove any new impurities before rolling. These ingots are preheated for long periods for optimal homogenization of the metal structure, then hot- and cold-rolling procedures achieve high surface quality. “Bright rolling” delivers the highest possible surface consistency and reflectivity. The result is an aluminum surface reflective enough to be used as a mirror.

At Novelis, we know that renewable sources of energy hold the key to the future, and we stand ready to do our part to make these energy sources as effective, efficient and safe as possible. An essential part of harnessing renewable energy is finding ways to store and transport it. We’ve partnered with automotive manufacturers and battery suppliers to help create superior aluminum energy storage solutions. Aluminum foil is important in lithium-ion batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles because it can serve as the cathode layer. At the same time, aluminum cartridges and cooling plates provide effective housing for the lithium-ion batteries, cooling them and protecting them from the elements.

The key to successful power generation through wind is efficiency, and industrial aluminum is playing a key role in making wind turbines lighter. Working together with our partners, we’ve created a smaller, lighter tower casing behind the rotor blades, as well as an innovative aluminum enclosure for the turbine’s generator that is lighter and more efficient than fiberglass composite housings used previously. This housing reduces fire risk thanks to aluminum’s incombustibility and helps cool the generator due to aluminum’s thermal conductivity, extending the aluminum enclosure’s functional life. It also maximizes the unit’s recyclability and protects the generator from lightning, since the aluminum acts as a Faraday cage and is non-combustible in the event of a lightning strike.

By creating specialized aluminum alloys, pioneering new treatments and combining aluminum components with other materials such as paper, plastic and fiberglass, Novelis has become the global quality leader for the transportation manufacturing industry. We have created a range of transportation manufacturing products that provide insulation against heat, sound and gases, high strength so components remain effective under pressure, and superior flexibility for a full range of designs and implementations. Key Novelis aluminum components include heat exchangers, heat protection mats and sleeves, energy absorption elements, hoses, silencers and flexible tubes, including heat protection tubes, air ducts and exhaust pipes. Novelis is a leading supplier of light-gauge, narrow-slit aluminum fin stock (bare and clad) and brazing sheet used in the production of heat exchangers.