Life cycle inventory study on magnesium alloy substitution in vehicles

Magnesium (Mg) alloys are suitable materials for weight reduction in vehicles because of their low density of 1.7 g/cm3 and high specific strength. The effect of Mg substitution for conventional steel parts in a vehicle on total energy consumption and CO2 emissions was evaluated through life cycle inventory calculation. The Mg substitution reduces the total energy consumption by weight reduction, although the production energy of a Mg-substituted vehicle is higher than those of conventional and Al-substituted vehicles. The Mg substitution can save more life cycle energy consumption than the Al substitution. Recycling of Mg parts is indispensable for efficient CO2 reduction, because the CO2 emissions during new ingot production of Mg are much higher than those of conventional steel and Al. Strengthening of the Mg parts also can reduce the total energy consumption and CO2 emissions. If the main body and hood are made of Mg alloy and the ratio of recycled ingot is sufficiently high, the life cycle energy consumption and CO2 emissions will be markedly reduced.