Over recent years, many automotive companies have started to use magnesium as construction material in cars and have invested in its production. The advantage of this material is its lightness in combination with a relative good strength and stiffness and a high shock absorption. This paper reviews the environmental aspects of magnesium, focusing on manufacturing processes. Since the production of virgin magnesium requires substantial energy, the recovery and recycling of scrap material is important as is the yield of the manufacturing process. Another important factor is the use of SF6 as a protective gas for the melt in e.g. die-casting. This gas has a high global warming potential and influences the environmental performance considerably. Both factors result in a relative high environmental impact of the magnesium production. To be environmentally competitive with other automotive construction materials, magnesium parts should therefore be considerably lighter.
Reduction of environmental impact attained by magnesium alloys for automotive components
Reduzierung des Umwelteinflußes bei Anwendung von Magnesiumlegierungen für Automobilbauteile
1999
6 Seiten, 6 Bilder, 1 Tabelle, 5 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
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