The USAMP magnesium powertrain cast components project

Despite the demonstrated ability of magnesium alloys to significantly reduce weight at acceptable costs in many areas of an automobile, powertrain components have not benefited from this metal, primarily because the high-temperature alloys that are required for engines and transmissions are too expensive. However, the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Automotive Materials Partnership have launched a project to evaluate several new, potentially low-cost magnesium alloys, design several pre-competitive power-train components for the best alloy properties, cast and dynamometer or vehicle test the components in assembled powertrains, develop a powertrain magnesium alloy design database and common alloy specification, and identify andpromote the funding of fundamental research into improved magnesium alloys and casting processes.