What's the difference between an iron engine and an aluminum engine? What are the pros and cons?

At present, gasoline engine cylinders are divided into cast iron and cast aluminum. In diesel engines, cast iron cylinder blocks account for the vast majority. From the use point of view, the advantage of cast aluminum cylinder is light weight, which saves fuel. In addition to the difference in weight, there are many differences in production technology between cast iron cylinder and cast aluminum cylinder. The cast iron production line occupies a large area, pollutes the environment and has complex processing technology. The production characteristics of cast aluminum cylinder block are just the opposite.

The physical properties of iron and aluminum are different. Cast iron cylinder block has stronger thermal load capacity and greater potential in engine power. Aluminum cylinder engine also has some cast iron materials, especially the cylinder, which should be cast iron. The disadvantage of aluminum engine is firstly the volume.

Because the specific gravity of aluminum is light and the structural strength per unit volume of aluminum is less than that of cast iron, the volume of aluminum cylinder is usually larger than that of cast iron, so it is difficult for cast iron cylinder to be compact and small. Followed by corrosion resistance and strength.