Fibre reinforced magnesium for automotive applications

A fibre/matrix-system was developed based on cost effective fibres and alloys. The results of the material characterisation as well as the results of component tests reveal, that even at high temperatures, the material produced in this project can be used as a piston material. Different production technologies were investigated. The squeeze-casting technology was optimized and piston samples could be produced reproducibly. With the suitable materials- and production technologies a reduction in piston weight by 30% as compared to the standard aluminium piston could be realised. (orig.)