Increasingly, that means replacing the traditional aluminum components in a jet with plastic-based composites that can significantly reduce its weight.

Lightweight aluminum components, including the cylinder head, give the PZEV engine a fuel-saving 40-pound weight advantage over the standard Focus engine.

The engine's aluminum components will include the cylinder block, heads, oil pump, oil pan, pistons and intake manifold.

While both companies serve the auto industry, Alcoa is bigger in castings like engine blocks, while Reynolds makes aluminum components for wheels.

This is largely because they are lighter, thanks to aluminum components.

The economics of mass production convinced the designer to switch to hydroformed all-metal aluminum components in place of the earlier fiberglass.

The new model is a bit lighter - Olds saved a pound here and there with aluminum components.

Alcoa has collaborated with Audi A.G. of West Germany to build cars with aluminum structural components.

In the fall of 2010, Zipp released its first-ever aluminum components.

Many manufacturers now use aluminum components to reduce weight, and special coatings or lubrication systems to reduce friction.