Future Cars Could Be Lighter But Just As Strong

Future cars may be far lighter, yet just as strong, thanks to advances in a casting process that uses super lightweight magnesium alloys. The technology, called T-Mag, consistently produces high-integrity magnesium alloy castings from permanent molds, free of porosity and other defects.

T-Mag was developed by a team of research engineers from Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization. It's one of the world's largest and most diverse scientific research organizations.

T-Mag can cast lightweight magnesium-alloy engine blocks that are two-thirds the weight of current aluminum alloy blocks and less than one-third the weight of cast iron blocks. This is a prospect that is arousing the interest of high-performance car manufacturers in Europe.