Magnesium alloys and applications in automotive industry

According to one contention, magnesium will eventually replace iron as the world’s basic constructional raw material. Hence, it might be feasible to call the next age of man the ‘magnesium age’. It is the lightest of the structural metals. The element appears to be the only ‘basic’ material of which the supply is inexhaustible: sea water contains high level of Mg in the form of magnesium chloride. Magnesium was first purified in the ۱۹th century, but wasn’t widely utilized until much later due to the metal’s flammability and corrosive nature, and its difficult refinement process. In its early days, scientists took advantage of its bright white combustibility to make military star shells for illuminating battlefields and flash effects for photography. These days, the biggest uses of magnesium are in aluminum alloys, which accounts for nearly one-third of all magnesium demand, die castings, titanium refining and steel desulphurization. Increasingly more plastic parts in electronic devices are being replaced by magnesium alloys that essentially weigh the same, but are much stronger and durable. As a result of more stringent requirements for improved fuel economy and emissions, there is a growing trend to substitute aluminum and magnesium for conventional steel and cast irons in vehicles. Today, weight loss is considered for both combustion vehicles and electric vehicles; reducing mass also improves vehicle performance attributes such as acceleration, braking, and handling. Mg is better in heat dissipation and heat transfer due to high thermal conductivity, and exhibit excellent ability in shielding electromagnetic interruption. Magnesium alloys can also help reduce noise and vibrations compared to typical metals, along with increasing stiffness. Since the weight loss in dynamic structures is several times more important than static. The usage of magnesium in automotive applications can provide more than just a weight savings. For a number of years, the desire to identify challenges, solutions, and opportunities regarding the use of magnesium in vehicles has been growing. Today we have ۴-۳۰ kg magnesium alloy on an average vehicle, but by ۲۰۳۰ we want to get to over ۸۰kg on a car.

Keywords:

Magnesium alloys , Manufacturing methods , Automobile , Micro/nanostructures