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The U.S. Automotive Materials Partnership has begun a Structural Cast Magnesium Development project that is focusing on resolving critical issues limiting the large-scale application of structural magnesium castings in automotive components. The five-year, $10 million project is aiming to address concerns regarding erosion/corrosion, the production of high-integrity castings and joining methods. Among the participants: Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., DaimlerChrysler AG, national laboratories and light metal suppliers. Despite its enormous weight-savings potential, there's only about 7.7 lbs. (3.5 kg) of magnesium per North American vehicle.
