TY - JOUR

T1 - Automotive applications of magnesium and its alloys

AU - Blawert, Carsten

AU - Hort, Norbert

AU - Kainer, Karl Ulrich

PY - 2004/8

Y1 - 2004/8

N2 - Today's interest in magnesium alloys for automotive applications is based on the combination of high strength properties and low density. For this reason magnesium alloys are very attractive as structural materials in all applications where weight savings are of great concern. In automotive applications weight reduction will improve the performance of a vehicle by reducing the rolling resistance and energy of acceleration, thus reducing the fuel consumption and moreover a reduction of the greenhouse gas CO2 can be achieved. The present paper gives an overview on the actual status of the development of magnesium alloys and technologies for application in the automotive industries. The development of new cast or wrought alloys and the optimisation of existing or new processes for the production of magnesium parts are discussed. Magnesium has a long history in automotive applications. The decrease of magnesium use in automotive applications in the seventies was greatly related to its prize volatility and also to lack of knowledge. Stricter legislative rules (CAFE) and voluntary commitments to reduce the average fuel consumption have nowadays revived the interest in magnesium.

AB - Today's interest in magnesium alloys for automotive applications is based on the combination of high strength properties and low density. For this reason magnesium alloys are very attractive as structural materials in all applications where weight savings are of great concern. In automotive applications weight reduction will improve the performance of a vehicle by reducing the rolling resistance and energy of acceleration, thus reducing the fuel consumption and moreover a reduction of the greenhouse gas CO2 can be achieved. The present paper gives an overview on the actual status of the development of magnesium alloys and technologies for application in the automotive industries. The development of new cast or wrought alloys and the optimisation of existing or new processes for the production of magnesium parts are discussed. Magnesium has a long history in automotive applications. The decrease of magnesium use in automotive applications in the seventies was greatly related to its prize volatility and also to lack of knowledge. Stricter legislative rules (CAFE) and voluntary commitments to reduce the average fuel consumption have nowadays revived the interest in magnesium.

KW - Engineering

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=13744256901&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.igcar.gov.in/transiim/2004/vol57-4.pdf

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:13744256901

VL - 57

SP - 397

EP - 408

JO - Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals

JF - Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals

SN - 0972-2815

IS - 4

ER -