In a study that advances lightweight magnesium alloys for more fuel-efficient, affordable vehicles, University of Michigan researchers used powerful X-rays to capture the first 3D views of the formation of microscopic structures that can help the material absorb stress without breaking.
The results, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and published in Science, will improve understanding of the alloy's complex reaction to mechanical stress. Magnesium alloys weigh 30% less than aluminum. Today, some car manufacturers have started using them for nonload-bearing parts, but they could have much wider adoption if their behavior under stress can be optimized.