In this paper, the material properties, structural performance, mass saving potential, design and manufacturing characteristics of magnesium are compared with various competing materials such as cast iron, steel sheet, aluminium alloys, and polymers. The current and potential automotive applications of magnesium are reviewed, and the technical challenges for these applications are also discussed. Magnesium has made significant gains in worldwide interior applications, replacing mostly steel stampings in instrumental panels, steering wheels, and steering column compnents. In the powertrain area, General Motors and Ford lead the applications of magnesium four-wheel-drive transfer cases in high-volume truck production, while Volkswagen is aggressively expanding the use of magnesium in manual transmission cases produced in both Europe and China. Only a limited number of body and chassis components are currently made of magnesium. Since corrosion is of less concern in interior applications, this area has seen the most magnesium applications, with the greatest growth in the instrument panels and steering structures.
Magnesium: Current and potential automotive applications
Magnesium. Gegenwärtige und zukünftige Anwendungen im Kraftfahrzeugbau
JOM - The Journal of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society ; 54 , 2 ; 42-48
2002
7 Seiten, 8 Bilder, 7 Tabellen, 23 Quellen
Article (Journal)
English
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