Process optimization for high integrity magnesium automotive components

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Over the past 15 years, magnesium (Mg) usage in automobiles has significantly increased by about 15% annually. The average Mg content in the 2007 model cars was about 6 kg, and is expected to increase to 160 kg by 2020. Currently, Mg automotive applications are produced by conventional high pressure die casting (HPDC) processes, which result in materials with high porosity content and low strengths. Recent studies have demonstrated that the squeeze casting process is able to significantly eliminate porosity and other casting defects in magnesium alloys. However, squeeze casting is relatively costly compared with conventional HPDC due to higher process operation and tooling costs. To maximize the engineering performance and quality of Mg squeeze castings at a competitive cost, the squeeze casting process needs to be optimized.