In the conducted study we have estimated the GHG impacts over the entire life cycle of magnesium CH made from Australian magnesium. The study clearly shows that the use stage of a passenger car contributes significantly to the total GHG impact of magnesium components over their entire life cycle. A significant reduction in the GHG impact during the use stage, and hence over the entire life cycle, may be achieved from a significant mass reduction of a car by using magnesium components. The magnesium CH can only provide improvement if SF6 will be substituted by other cover gases with significantly lower GWP. Further, a simple substitution of magnesium without significant reduction in GHG is not competitive environmentally with other metals as demonstrated in the case of Chinese magnesium. Sensitivity analyses conducted clearly indicate the reduction in GHG impact when AM-Cover gas, instead of SF6, for protecting molten magnesium from oxidation during the manufacturing and secondary metal production stages is used. Higher percentage use of secondary magnesium and increase of yield in die-casting have substantial reductions as well. This study has dealt only with the GHG impact of magnesium components, and comparisons with other metals are based on the GHG impact too. However, other impact categories need to be considered if magnesium components are to be compared with components made from non-metallic materials.
Life cycle environmental impact of magnesium automotive components
Umweltbelastung während des Lebenszyklus von Automobilteilen aus Magnesium
2005
6 Seiten, 10 Bilder, 4 Tabellen, 14 Quellen
Conference paper
English
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