Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Thursday March 28, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC General > News & Rumors > Non-Subaru News & Rumors

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-24-2012, 10:16 AM   #1
AVANTI R5
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 73805
Join Date: Nov 2004
Vehicle:
24 TypeS ZO6
White

Default GM Turns to Magnesium Sheet Metal to Lighten Vehicles




Quote:
General Motors is pioneering the use of magnesium sheet metal on its vehicles with the possibility of double-digit fuel economy gains.

Other automakers are turning to carbon fiber to help lighten the load on their vehicles, but the General is going another direction. It’s currently testing an industry-first thermal-forming process and proprietary corrosion resistance treatment for lightweight magnesium sheet metal as an alternative to steel and aluminum.

According to GM, other automakers have struggled to reliably make strong and non-corroding magnesium sheet metal panels using traditional panel-forming methods. GM, on the other hand, is working on a patented process that can heat magnesium to 842 degrees Fahrenheit to allow the magnesium to be molded into precise, rigid shapes.

Magnesium weighs in at 33 percent less than aluminum, 60 percent less than titanium, and 75 percent less than steel helping lighten vehicles and in turn, increasing fuel economy.

The American automaker is showing off a production-ready magnesium rear deck lid inner panel that has been tested to withstand 77,000 robotic slams and 250-kilogram impact drops without any problems.
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
AVANTI R5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 10-24-2012, 10:22 AM   #2
SCRAPPYDO
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 873
Join Date: Feb 2000
Chapter/Region: TXIC
Location: www.testdrivemylife.com
Vehicle:
2020 JEEP / RAM
Datsun 71 240Z & 68 2000

Default

Well it is a good thing magnesium is not highly flammable or anything
SCRAPPYDO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 10:41 AM   #3
Calamity Jesus
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 44501
Join Date: Oct 2003
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Yeah, well, you know
Vehicle:
that 's, like, your
alternate facts, man.

Default

nor expensive...
Calamity Jesus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 10:46 AM   #4
SCRAPPYDO
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 873
Join Date: Feb 2000
Chapter/Region: TXIC
Location: www.testdrivemylife.com
Vehicle:
2020 JEEP / RAM
Datsun 71 240Z & 68 2000

Default


fast forward to about the 1 minute mark when the magnesium transmission case gets hit with the water...
SCRAPPYDO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 10:49 AM   #5
Navendra94
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 327495
Join Date: Jul 2012
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Ozone Park, Queens, New York
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza WRX 5DR
Plasma Blue

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SCRAPPYDO
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY9ri-UOoLo

fast forward to about the 1 minute mark when the magnesium transmission case gets hit with the water...
Whoa!!!!!!!!
Navendra94 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 10:55 AM   #6
Rootus
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 89821
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: A Series Of Toobs
Vehicle:
2015 STI LE

Default

Stupid GM, why the hell didn't they remember to come to NASIOC first to make sure this wasn't a horrible idea?
Rootus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 11:04 AM   #7
White out
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 46277
Join Date: Oct 2003
Vehicle:
H1 Viper
LP640 FGT

Default

Great idea and alternative to carbon, plastic, or fiberglass

Based on the Viper community, I have a feeling that a lot of GM body panels are going to be melted accidentally in the future.
White out is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 12:02 PM   #8
poorlilpoop
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 54666
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: connecticut
Vehicle:
2005 WRX
WRB

Default

I can't remember where I read it. But the article talks about how car companies are trying to make lighter cars, but it get's cancelled out because americans are getting fatter. we are nation of fatties

Also, not too keen on magnesium. They burn hot as hell. Their burning temp is off the chart. I'm sure the GM knows properties of magnesium.

Hopefully, it will turn out well. If not, there will be crap load of people ready to sue.
poorlilpoop is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 12:13 PM   #9
Hondaslayer
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 4562
Join Date: Feb 2001
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Auburn, WA
Vehicle:
2014 Electric Datsun
2005 Adventure van

Default

If only GM had the existing technology to build vehicles with plastic or fibreglass bodies.
Hondaslayer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 12:29 PM   #10
lark6
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 2715
Join Date: Oct 2000
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: where GW crossed the Delaware
Vehicle:
1970 911T
Irischgrün

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SCRAPPYDO View Post
fast forward to about the 1 minute mark when the magnesium transmission case gets hit with the water...
I was expecting footage of LeMans 1955 but this will do.
lark6 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 12:32 PM   #11
Rootus
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 89821
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: A Series Of Toobs
Vehicle:
2015 STI LE

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by poorlilpoop View Post
I can't remember where I read it. But the article talks about how car companies are trying to make lighter cars, but it get's cancelled out because americans are getting fatter.
That's silly, unless you believe car companies can only figure out how to shed 25 pounds of weight.

Quote:
we are nation of fatties
It's not just the U.S. Any place that has easy access to calories tends to see an increase in average weight. Biology is a bitch.
Rootus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 12:38 PM   #12
hughjass5976
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 226004
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Western NY
Vehicle:
2011 WRX
PSM

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondaslayer View Post
If only GM had the existing technology to build vehicles with plastic or fibreglass bodies.
+1234
hughjass5976 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 12:47 PM   #13
left footed whooten
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 44652
Join Date: Oct 2003
Chapter/Region: BAIC
Location: Truckee, CA
Vehicle:
16 Colorado diesel
ATC Bobcat Pop-up

Default

Why not stop pumping weight into the damn thing in the first place? Make your engineers work and work with them.
left footed whooten is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 01:06 PM   #14
KC
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 442
Join Date: Oct 1999
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: RI/SE Mass
Vehicle:
17 Imp Spurt
00 S2k

Default

Is it 100% magnesium or is it some hybrid mix like with aluminum or something?

--kC
KC is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 02:27 PM   #15
sxotty
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 95600
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Pittsburgh
Vehicle:
2003 WRX wagon
Silver

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SCRAPPYDO View Post
Well it is a good thing magnesium is not highly flammable or anything
Maybe they can make a battery case for their PHEVs from this A match made in heaven... or wait was that hell
sxotty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2012, 11:16 PM   #16
TwinscrollGT35R
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 256810
Join Date: Sep 2010
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Seattle WA
Default

Mag also hates oxygen. And I do not think that was water causing that explosion of white light.

Flames will cause mag to ignite and explode.
TwinscrollGT35R is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2012, 09:52 AM   #17
b4wantab
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 21293
Join Date: Jul 2002
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Oak Park, IL
Vehicle:
05 OB Black Bean
1969 W-30

Default

Once mag is ignited it will burn and keep burning. Road flairs are basically magnesium. Light a flair and through it in water, it will get brighter and keep going. The water is what caused the accelerated burning. The burning will separate the oxygen from the hydrogen and they will both burn.

Never put of a mag fire with water. Any firemen want to chime in?

Peace,

Greg
b4wantab is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2012, 10:18 AM   #18
daveyboy
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 35419
Join Date: Apr 2003
Default

GM knows what they are doing and going green at the same time.

A friend of friend told me that they are going to coat the magnesium with a white phosphorus impregnated shellac... .
daveyboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2012, 11:04 AM   #19
Calamity Jesus
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 44501
Join Date: Oct 2003
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Yeah, well, you know
Vehicle:
that 's, like, your
alternate facts, man.

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by daveyboy View Post
GM knows what they are doing and going green at the same time.
Well, it's a good thing I've invested heavily into GM stock paid my taxes.
Calamity Jesus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2012, 11:12 AM   #20
ADaughen
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 333348
Join Date: Sep 2012
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: My Cubicle
Vehicle:
2000 Forester S
STM

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by left footed whooten View Post
Why not stop pumping weight into the damn thing in the first place? Make your engineers work and work with them.

It's all the federal safety requirements. Crumple zones, ABS required, DSC required, traction control required, air bags required. Add on six speed auto trans, leather, coffee maker, panoramic sunroof, 18 cup holders, quad DVD entertainment systems...

We are just now getting back to MPG numbers we had in the early to mid 80s in gas burners.

My roommate in college got 44mpg with his '85 Honda CRX. I wouldn't want to get hit by anything in that little tub, but it got good mileage and was fun to drive.

My '87 Honda Prelude, in college, got mid-30s mpg, I got as high as 37mpg on a highway run to FL. No ABS, air bags, etc. It was quick and fun to drive because there was nothing to it (2300lbs). If I could find another 1st or 2nd gen in decent condition, I'd probably snatch it up for a DD when I'm not hauling the kids (no room for car seats + >6' driver ).
ADaughen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2012, 11:18 AM   #21
Brahmzy
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 3293
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: CO
Vehicle:
'20 Ascent
'15 XTerra P4X

Default

If this goes into production, it'll be interesting to see insurance rates for those vehicles. I would imagine this would add to the cost of a wreck or simple fender bender, depending on how much of the car is mag. I bet there will be cheap, steel non-oem panels for these cars being made just like every other car. Might behoove the owner to make sure they're getting genuine oem mag replacement panels.
Brahmzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2012, 11:23 AM   #22
ShadowIMg
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 31519
Join Date: Jan 2003
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Glenview, IL
Vehicle:
2022 Oversized Load
2020 Lotus Evora GT

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by daveyboy View Post
A friend of friend told me that they are going to coat the magnesium with a white phosphorus impregnated shellac... .


Is this a new mil-spec design?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ADaughen
It's all the federal safety requirements. Crumple zones, ABS required, DSC required, traction control required, air bags required. Add on six speed auto trans, leather, coffee maker, panoramic sunroof, 18 cup holders, quad DVD entertainment systems...
Strangely a decent amount of it comes from safety towards what you hit. The ever-raising body lines and such in cars (which means more body in general also) comes from someone who decided it's safer for pedestrians when they are struck by cars.
ShadowIMg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2012, 11:30 AM   #23
nottofast
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 89663
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 6th & Market
Vehicle:
1962 Fuji 350
cerelean blue

Default

Magnesium is lighter and therefore will cost less to ship back and forth to China.
nottofast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2012, 11:34 AM   #24
Brahmzy
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 3293
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: CO
Vehicle:
'20 Ascent
'15 XTerra P4X

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by nottofast View Post
Magnesium is lighter and therefore will cost less to ship back and forth to China.
LOL!!!
Brahmzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2012, 11:39 AM   #25
industrial
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 7250
Join Date: Jun 2001
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Home
Vehicle:
2018 Honda Clarity

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SCRAPPYDO View Post

fast forward to about the 1 minute mark when the magnesium transmission case gets hit with the water...
What the hell man?!
industrial is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:02 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.