The use of magnesium in cars - today and in future

Abstract

The use of magnesium is closely associated with the history of the Volkswagen company. It reached a high point in 1971 of 42,000 t a year (engine block and gearbox housing, various small components) primarily for production of the air-cooled models (Beetle, Transporter). That represented approximately 20 kg of magnesium in each vehicle (5). In the years that followed, the introduction of the water-cooled front-engined designs, the inadequate heat resistance of the magnesium alloys known at that time and their insufficient resistance to corrosion meant that the importance of magnesium as a material diminished. A drastic increase in cost in comparison with aluminium also dampened enthusiasm for the use of magnesium in motor vehicle construction. In 1982 production of magnesium gearboxes in Germany ceased altogether. In the Nineties, changes in society have seen the development of a greater environmental awareness with the aim of conserving resources and reducing harmful emissions. In both cases the objective is to reduce fuel consumption and the result has been a rediscovery of magnesium as a lightweight construction material. (orig.)