Automotive

High-silicon aluminum--aluminum that consists of at least 11.8 percent silicon--has qualities such as lightness and strength that appeal to automakers. The abrasives nature of the material, however, makes it difficult to machine. The author offers suggestions for milling, tapping, drilling, turning and grinding high-silicon aluminum.

In 1995, the Big Three automakers dropped their individual quality programs and requirements for suppliers and adopted a common program based on ISO 9000. This article discusses how the automakers' standard, called QS-9000, was developed and how they plan to implement and enforce it. Some advice for suppliers planning to earn QS-9000 registration is also given.