Casting the Future of Lighter Vehicles
The Italian-U.S. automaker Fiat Chrysler automobiles wants to use lighter metals such as magnesium to produce lighters vehicles. With stricter emissions codes car manufacturers are turning to this solution because it much lighter than other metals such as aluminum or just plain steel. Magnesium is 75% lighter than steel and 33% lighter than aluminum according to the trade group the International Magnesium Association.This material is easy to mold in either thick or thin areas making it easier for car designers to cut waste and do more shaping. Furthermore, Fiat Chrysler automobiles first used Magnesium to trim the fat on the all new 2017 Pacifica mini-van by replacing the heavier steel in the lift gate. Moreover the use of Magnesium and its affect on lowering the weight of the car as a whole has a compounding effect meaning that with a lighter tailgate the car maker could use lighter brackets a smaller lift gate motor which could eventually allow the automaker to use lighter engines. The only downfall of using magnesium is that it is a bit costly. A kilogram of metal costs $3.75 while the same amount of aluminium costs $1.54 and steel costs between 40 and 98 cents per kilogram depending on its grade according to industry data.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/casting-the-future-of-lighter-vehicles-1455892867
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