Using magnesium for automotive structural components helps reduce vehicle weight. In this paper, certain functional requirements for the instrument panel (IP) beam, radiator support and door inner structure are presented based an the expected performance of the corresponding steel or aluminum parts. Further studies investigate a magnesium IP beam. Property variations of the magnesium are first investigated. Eight tensile coupons cut from different locations of the IP beam are tested along with a standard die cast tensile specimen. Elongation of the material taken from the component varies from 3% to 11% while the Standard sample has 6% elongation. Air bag deployment tests are conducted and analyzed as a static loading condition for the IP beam. The rigid fixture air bag deployment test identifies the loads applied to the IP beam air bag mounting stanchions. The component test examines the IP beam performance under simulated air bag deployment. A prelim-inary finite element simulation evaluates the magnesium IP beam design. Forces applied to the air bag mounting stanchions and beam pertormance are critical factors in the design and development of the IP beam. This study suggests that efficient component designs using magnesium should consider the difference of the material property from steel. Material characteristics of the magnesium need to be clearly defined and incorporated early in the design process. This paper demonstrates that a CAE model has the capability to predict structural behavior of magnesium components.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Magnesium automotive structure component design


    Additional title:

    Gestaltung von Fahrzeugstrukturbauteilen aus Magnesium


    Contributors:
    Chen, X. (author) / May, T.A. (author) / Webb, J.P. (author) / Wagner, D.A. (author)


    Publication date :

    2002


    Size :

    6 Seiten, 12 Bilder, 3 Tabellen, 13 Quellen



    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Magnesium alloy - advantages in automotive design

    Kostuch, J. | British Library Online Contents | 1998


    Automotive forging component design

    Barbero,J.I. / Muga,C. / Calvo,J. et al. | Automotive engineering | 1994


    Evaluation of a Thixomolded Magnesium Alloy Component for Automotive Application

    Sadayappan, Kumar / Vassos, Michael | SAE Technical Papers | 2010


    Magnesium for automotive applications

    VanFleteren, R. | Tema Archive | 1996


    Magnesium for automotive diecasting

    Bolstad,J.A. | Automotive engineering | 1987