2001transamws6

Here is a write up by GM High Tech Performance mag explaining it all.

http://blogs.gmhightechperformance.com/6789712/gm-news/magnesium-body-panels/

rabiddog

iTrader: (1)

http://blogs.gmhightechperformance.c...m-body-panels/

Fixed to where you can click it.

My only concern is if for some reason your car catches fire its going to burn hot and fast!

Y2K T.A.R.A.

iTrader: (6)

I'm sure there is some fire resistant paint or process usable for that concern. Very cool. Can't imagine where things are going!

2001transamws6

Thanks Rabiddog for fixing the link. With the way that they are forming and heat treating the body parts up to 832°F, I doubt that they will be able to be lit on fire or burned. I think that it is going to be awesome how much lighter that they are going to be able to make cars and trucks with it.

04Vguy

iTrader: (3)

My body panels are super light weight magnesium.

Why?

Because race car.

04Vguy

iTrader: (3)

Actually pretty cool though. At first I was thinking damn that car fire is gunna suuuuck. But I'm sure like said before me there will be some kind of process to prevent this from happening. But holy frozen dog **** if it doesn't work and someone gets trappe in a magnesium fire. Gm will probably need another bailout.

bill12690

iTrader: (4)

lol goodbye overweight 5th gens!

This along with the new stuff going into the Gen 5 motor(s) should make for some interesting cars.

texas94z

Another innovation from GM, amazing. I believe about a year ago, GM bought or invested in a high tech sheet metal company. This must be one of their technologies. The industry isn't going to take a massive leap and build everything using crazy expensive carbon fiber. CF has its place in the high performance niche, not in high volume segments.

409CISecondGen

iTrader: (2)

I sure hope this means the new vette will be 2999lbs

LSX-coupe

iTrader: (1)

I wonder how it compares the the fiberglass panels used now if it would be lighter?

03Sssnake

iTrader: (20)

Good question, I would imagine its lighter than SMC/fiberglass...but by what percentage?

Here is good article on GMs application of Magnesium for anyone that is interested.

http://news.yahoo.com/gm-tests-magne...2--sector.html

J-Rod

Yeah, Runge_Kutta has been talking about Magnesium since 2008 with all the patents and new processes. The Armstrong process for Ti also has promise, but the price of Ti is still high.

http://www.itponline.com/index_files...gBrochure1.pdf


There is a huge need to drive down weight, and metals like Magnesium and Titanium are the only way to do that. The trick s getting cost and production down to accomodate it at the right price point.

jlrz28

iTrader: (7)

I wonder what a replacement panel would cost?

I guess that is why GM is in the top 50 most attractive engineering companies in the world?

http://www.universumglobal.com/IDEAL.../Global-Top-50

DAVE00

iTrader: (10)

Saw an older ZR1 vett (4th gen - I believe?) with the Mag wheels get in a wreck and catch on fire a long time ago. Those wheels went up like roman candles and burned white hot. I really hope the fire resistance is good. I guess it has to be better than owning a Fisker Karma and having it flooded with Sea Water

03Sssnake

iTrader: (20)

Yeah, there were some old race cars back in the late 60s, maybe early 70s that used magnesium bodies. A few crashes and fires resulted in a fatality or two. However this mfr process and treatment of the magnesium is much different from previous methods from I what I understand. Hopefully they won't turn into torches in serious accidents/fires...

54inches

iTrader: (4)

Fires are not a concern at all. It does not say, but I am sure this is an alloy and with the process in which they anneal these panels, I am sure it negates that property of Magnesium.

Sodium is explosive in it's natural form, but when combined with Chlorine it is merely table salt.

Also the wheels of years past, were cast.

XtremeBBQ

iTrader: (6)

usually only concerns with Mg fires are fine dust being ignited. Mg firestarters for example, you shave off the mg into filings that are then combustible.

01WS6/tamu

iTrader: (37)

FWIW seen a few 4x4 z71's burn once transfer case lights off you can really sit back and watch the pretty colors.

54inches

iTrader: (4)

It's usually the oil in the transfer cases that really gets that Mg going....lol