The biggest difference between engine block cast iron and aluminum alloy is weight and capacity. Cast iron: It is resistant to high temperatures and is not easily deformed. After the cast iron engine is worn, it is easy to repair and the cost is low. Aluminum alloy is lightweight, heats up quickly, and lightweight aluminum engines can effectively reduce the weight of the engine itself and achieve relatively fuel-saving purposes. Materials for engines are now mainly divided into two types. One is aluminum alloy and the other is cast iron. The advantages of aluminum alloy are that the cylinder block is lighter and generates better heat.
The biggest advantage of lightweight is more flexible operation. Theoretically, if the mass is lighter, fuel consumption will be reduced. The only advantage of cast iron blocks is that they are stronger. In other words, for car owners with higher performance requirements, the cast iron engine block may be refurbished rather than aluminum alloy. The cooling performance of aluminum alloy is very good, which is unmatched by cast iron. Cast iron has particularly strong resistance to deformation. Cast iron has a large thermal load bearing capacity, which is unmatched by aluminum alloy materials.
Compared with cast iron, the high cost of aluminum alloy raw materials is the biggest disadvantage. In terms of structural strength, corrosion resistance and wear resistance, aluminum is inferior to cast iron. The advantages of cast iron materials are low cost, low price, mature manufacturing process, cylinder strength and wear resistance. And the corrosion resistance is better than that of aluminum alloy, and it has better engine output. The disadvantages of cast iron materials are that the cast iron production line occupies a large area, it pollutes the environment, the processing technology is complex, the heat dissipation performance is poor, and the engine weight is too heavy. Due to the advantages and disadvantages of both Differently, cylinders made of cast iron can be used more widely. Most diesel engines are made of cast iron. Some advanced automobile engines can use aluminum alloy materials.