WARRENDALE, Pa., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The war of the metals, it is
raging all over the world. Automakers, challenged by the need to produce
lighter vehicles with improved fuel economy and environmental performance, are
in hot pursuit of the most technically feasible and cost-efficient alloys.
Aluminum, plastics and steel have long been in fierce competition to become
the material of choice for construction of lighter weight vehicles, but
recently, a new player has stepped on the field -- magnesium.
World-renowned experts will address advances in magnesium technologies for
automotive applications during the SAE 2002 World Congress, March 4-7, Cobo
Center, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
"Rapid technical advances in magnesium alloys and processing is driving
automakers and suppliers to magnesium -- the lightest of all commonly used
metals," said Stephen Erickson, Technical Specialist, Noranda Magnesium and
Co-Chair of the SAE session. "In 1990, a typical vehicle consisted of 1.4 kg
(3 lb.) of magnesium. Today, this has increased to 3.6 kg (8 lb.). With
recent advances in high-temperature strength and creep resistance, the metal
makes even more sense for automakers who are looking to reduce weight in high
temperature areas under the hood, such as automatic transmission cases and
engine components."
Because magnesium has excellent flow characteristics, thin-walled die
castings for a variety of automotive parts can be manufactured. Thin-walled
parts reduce the weight and cost of castings because less material is needed.
The magnesium alloys industry has witnessed double-digit growth since the
late 1990s, and continues to grow at that rate today. Over the next few
years, a forecasted over-supplied marketplace will further challenge magnesium
producers to add more value to their product at a reduced price to customers.
At present, magnesium is primarily used for production of interior
automotive components such as steering column brackets, instrument panels,
seat frames, steering wheels, ashtray doors, sunroof track assemblies and
mounting structures for audio equipment. New developments give promise to
expand these applications to powertrain and chassis components.
The all-day session "Magnesium Technologies for the Automotive Industry"
will convene at 9 a.m., Monday, March 4, Room D3-24/25. The session consists
of numerous technical papers focusing on the technical advances and challenges
faced by magnesium suppliers.
SAE 2002 World Congress, the world's largest showcase of automotive
engineering technologies, attracts attendees from more than 50 countries. For
more details, including registration and special events, visit the SAE 2002
World Congress web site at http://www.sae.org/congress or call 1-877-SAE-CONG
(723-2664); outside the U.S. and Canada, call 1-724-772-4027.
SOURCE Society of Automotive Engineers
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Related links:
http://www.sae.org
http://www.sae.org/congress
CONTACT:
Mark D. Burd of SAE Corporate PR,
+1-724-772-4052, or mburd@sae.org
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