Why are car companies rushing to use this material?

In recent years, a new material with the rise of new energy vehicles has attracted wide attention, that is – magnesium alloy.

Automotive lightweight and intelligent technology has become a new trend in the global automotive industry. In recent years, with the pressure and development trend of global energy conservation and emission reduction, countries have formulated strict standards and regulations for passenger vehicle fuel consumption. Under the background of carbon neutrality, countries have put forward more stringent requirements for passenger vehicle fuel consumption and corresponding CO2 emissions, and the lightweight of cars is the development trend of the world’s automobiles.

What is automotive lightweight materials？automotive materials change from steel, to iron, to aluminum, to magnesium , is a effective trend .

The density of the lightest magnesium alloy, AZ91D, is 1.81-1.83g/cm3, about 2/3 that of aluminum, 1/4 that of zinc, less than 1/4 that of steel or cast iron, and close to that of engineering plastics.

What are the characteristics of magnesium alloy materials? The main points are as follows:

1. Low density, light weight: the density of die-cast magnesium alloy is only 2/3 of aluminum alloy, 1/4 of steel, specific strength and specific stiffness are better than steel and aluminum alloy, much higher than engineering plastics, so die-cast magnesium alloy is an excellent lightweight structural material in many application fields can compete with the above materials.
2. Good vibration absorption: it is conducive to vibration reduction and noise reduction. For example, under the stress level of 35MPa, the attenuation coefficient of magnesium alloy AZ91D is 25% and that of aluminum alloy A380 is only 1%. At 100MP stress level, the values of AZ91D, AM60 and AS41 are 53%, 72% and 70%, respectively, while the values of A380 are only 4%.
3. High dimensional stability: the dimensional instability of magnesium alloy die casting is reduced due to the change of ambient temperature and time. Die casting production cycle is shorter than aluminum alloy, easy to form thin-walled structural parts, die casting wall thickness of the minimum up to 0.15mm, magnesium and iron affinity is small, the ability of solid solution iron is low, not easy to mucous membrane.

4. High thermal conductivity: magnesium alloy thermal conductivity (60-70W/m-1 K-1), second only to aluminum alloy (about 100-70W m-1 K-1), so the thermal diffusion is good. The application of magnesium alloy on the wheel hub of die casting automobile can effectively distribute the heat of braking friction and improve the braking stability.
5. Non-magnetic, can be used for electromagnetic shielding.
6. Good wear-resistance: magnesium alloy also has good damping coefficient, vibration reduction is greater than aluminum alloy and cast iron, used in the shell can reduce noise, used in the seat, wheel hub can reduce vibration, improve the safety and comfort of the car. As the lightest engineering material, magnesium alloy is not only the most suitable material for casting auto parts, but also the most effective lightweight material for automobiles.

Taishan Zhongmei Technology Co., Ltd. is a Chinese company specializing in the research, development and application of magnesium alloy and aluminum alloy materials and products, providing precision parts of magnesium alloy/aluminum alloy high-pressure casting, semi-solid die-casting and liquid die forging for automotive customers. It covers an area of 120,000 kilosquare, with a total investment of 0.2 billion dollars and 400 employees. It is a new material and new energy enterprise.

Why choose Zhongmei ?

Magnesium is one of the most abundant light metal elements on earth, mainly exists in dolomite, carnallite, magnesite, magnesite, ocean and land salt lake is also rich in magnesium.

China’s abundant magnesium reserves account for more than 70% of the world’s total magnesium resources, including 27% magnesite, ranking first in the world. The development of magnesium alloy industry in China is in line with China’s resource strategy, the world’s demand for magnesium alloy, more competitive prices, and the industrial advantages of supporting facilities for magnesium alloy production. China Magnesium Company is located in Taishan, Guangdong Province, China, near Shenzhen port and Hong Kong, with lower transportation cost and logistics efficiency.

The magnesium ingot used by Zhongmei Technology Co., Ltd. is of high purity and complies with the standard Chinese magnesium alloy. In the process of production, the nozzle and waste are not reused to improve the purity of products, so that the performance of die-casting products is more stable.

In addition, in cooperation with Pan Fusheng, an academician of China Magnesium Alloy Research Institute, Zhongmei has established magnesium alloy New Materials Research Institute. Currently, it invented high-strength magnesium alloys and high-thermal conductivity magnesium alloys, which can be used in industries and products with higher performance requirements.

In addition, the company has independently developed liquid mould calcination equipment, which is used to produce parts with high density and high strength, so that the product has fewer pores, is not easy to break, and is more safe and durable.

Zhongmei is also a domestic integrated die casting technology enterprises. Research using integrated molding technology, to achieve the original multiple parts integrated into 1, not only reduce the weight, such as the shock tower weight reduction rate of more than 32%, but also shorten the working time, and industrial production of products, production stability. So as to reduce production costs, so that the price is more competitive. Integrated die casting allows automotive parts to achieve mass production.

                               part of the Zhongmei product :

Due to its recyclability and less chip free technology, die-cast magnesium alloy is especially suitable for the requirements of circular economy, energy saving, low carbon and clean production, and plays a leading role in the development of lightweight automobile. Major auto parts manufacturers actively seize the development opportunity, have invested in the production of magnesium alloy automotive die casting research and development.

Material breakthrough is the driving force of industry disruption. The R&D investment in magnesium alloy field enables China Magnesium to better serve customers’ product development and promote technological innovation and application.

To collaborate or learn more, send an email to: corrine@zhongmei-tech.com