Q: Ford advertises its F-150 as being made with military-grade aluminum. What’s the difference between military-grade aluminum and beer-can-grade aluminum?
—David Dickey, Dallas
A: The 5000 and 6000 series aluminum alloys that Ford uses in its F-150 is stronger and more durable than aluminum used in cans.
The 5000 and 6000 series aluminum alloys “increase strength with peak mechanical properties achieved through thermal processing,” Tom Boney, chairman of the Aluminum Association’s Aluminum Transportation Group (ATG) and vice president and general manager, Automotive Value Stream, Novelis North America, told Q&A on the News in an emailed statement.
Beverage cans are made from non-heat treatable 3000 series alloys “that are cold processed to the appropriate specifications for that particular application,” he wrote.
The 5000 series contains chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and silicon, Car and Driver wrote. The 6000 series also contains zinc.
Q: What happened to Erin Andrews’ boyfriend after he was arrested for drugs?
—Bonnie Lingefelt, Woodstock
A: Jarret Stoll's felony cocaine charge was dismissed when he pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors in June 2015.
He pleaded guilty to breaching the peace and to trespassing, and was to serve 120 hours of community service.
Stoll was arrested in Las Vegas in April 2015 for possession of what police thought to be cocaine and ecstasy, the Associated Press reported.
Stoll played for the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings at the time and currently plays for the Minnesota Wild.
Andy Johnston with Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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