Chongqing - Chongqing University's national engineering research center for magnesium alloys has reached a milestone by successfully prototyping the world's largest magnesium alloy automotive die-casting component. This groundbreaking achievement represents a major advancement in lightweight materials for automobiles.

The trial production included two categories of large-scale structural components for new energy vehicles: integrated body castings and battery box covers. Both products have a projected area exceeding 2.2 square meters, making them the largest magnesium alloy automotive die-casting components currently in existence.

Compared to their aluminum alloy counterparts, these castings are 32% lighter, showcasing the immense potential for lightweight applications.

Magnesium Alloy is expected to be widely used in automotive manufacturing due to its lightweight. (File Photo/Canva)

As a major producer of magnesium resources, China accounts for over 70% of the world's magnesium reserves. It is also a leading nation in magnesium materials research, development, and production, with magnesium and magnesium alloys consistently representing over 80% of global output for over a decade.

Magnesium alloys, being the lightest structural materials available, have a density of only two-thirds that of aluminum alloys and one-fourth that of steel, making them one of the most promising lightweight metal materials. 

Additionally, magnesium and its alloys show great potential as energy storage materials. The rapid development and large-scale application of magnesium and magnesium alloys hold significant strategic importance in promoting energy conservation, addressing energy security concerns, and alleviating China's scarcity of metal mineral resources.

"In recent years, the urgent need for lightweight solutions in both traditional and new energy vehicles has arisen as we strive to achieve the national goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality," said Jiang Bin, the head of the research team.

Jiang added that this achievement lays the foundation for the future mass production and widespread application of such components.

The project was guided by Pan Fusheng, a Chinese Academy of Engineering member and a professor at the College of Materials Science and Engineering at Chongqing University. It was developed jointly by a laboratory of high-end equipment casting technology affiliated with the China Academy of Machinery Science and Technology and a few private sectors.