Koreans claim breakthrough with magnesium alloy

A team of Korean researchers are claiming a breakthrough in expanding the use of magnesium alloy in car parts and frames by creating a technique to improve the life and durability of this promising light metal. Pure magnesium is about one-third lighter than aluminum and two-thirds lighter than steel, and in cars, lighter weight translates into greater fuel efficiency. The involvement of magnesium in car frames and parts would reduce the vehicle’s weight by around 10% and also make it 6 to 8% more fuel efficient, according to Lee Chong-soo, a materials science expert from the Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH). However, the commercial adoption of magnesium in cars has been slow due to the lack of knowledge over its fatigue behavior, or predicting how the properties of the metal react to stress and time. (May 3, 2010)