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by maxerickson 3394 days ago
The recent Ford F-150s with aluminum bodies were huge news. The frame is still steel.

Personal vehicles are mostly made of steel.

1 comments

And steel actually produces even more CO2 to cast. Carbon steel, melting point 1500C vs aluminium, just 600C. http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/melting-temperature-metals...
The specific heat is also important, not just temperature.

You also have to look at refining (it takes a huge amount of energy to produce raw aluminum) and recycling (steel is really, really recyclable).

Well they both take more energy to cast than my average bowl of mashed potatoes and peas that's for sure!