Efforts to save fuel consumption is not only done through an efficient engine design. The manufacturer made a breakthrough technology to attempt to make a vehicle that has a light weight. Understandably, it is common knowledge has a light weight vehicle with an efficient level of fuel consumption are better than cars with heavier weights.
General Motors (GM) is reportedly testing magnesium metal lighter than aluminum, but has strength is quite high. Tests performed on several components, including rim. It will provide a great advantage for fuel efficiency.
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| General-Motors-Magnesium-panel-graphic. (Picture from: http://wot.motortrend.com/) |
To produce metal construction recently used methods developed GM making a rigid molded material with precision scale. How, magnesium is heated to 450 degrees Celsius and then shaped as needed. As a result, the panel is part of the baggage that weighs 1 kg lighter than steel metals. That means 75 percent magnesium is lighter than steel and 33 percent of aluminum.
Regarding strength has been tested with crash test as much as 77,000 times and help the robot arm, and the method of collision weighing 250 kg. The result is quite good and has a weight of 1 kg compared to regular steel metal.
Greg Warden, executive director of GM Global Vehicle Body Engineering, said every gram reduction in weight of the vehicle was able to contribute to fuel efficiency. However, safety and durability also remains a concern and priority.
In addition, the effects of either of these materials is easily shaped to be used as door panels and other car body parts. The trick, magnesium material is heated to 450 degrees Celsius.
GM has patents on the process for heating magnesium and for making it more resistant to corrosion. The company plans to license the technology to allow auto-parts suppliers to produce the magnesium inner panels, according to GM spokesman Kristopher Spencer.
The effects of vehicle weight reduction can certainly make more efficient fuel consumption up to 10 percent. With so GM describes magnesium potential for those types of vehicles ranging from sedans, multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) to sport utility vehicle (SUV).
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| GM testing new Magnesium forming process, could be Used on 2014 Silverado. (Picture from: http://wot.motortrend.com/) |
The United States Automotive Materials Partnership estimates that by 2020, 159 kg of magnesium will replace 227 kg of steel and 159 kg of aluminum per vehicle, an overall weight reduction of 15%. This weight savings would lead to a fuel savings of 9% to 12%.
Although the material is useful to reduce. weight of the vehicle, GM does not necessarily produce magnesium vehicles this year. GM still researching raw materials. It is probable that the use of such material on production of GM cars starting next year. *** [GM | MOTOR TREND | OVI | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 02112012]
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