The creators of the new high-strength light metal alloy hope that it can find an intermediate position between carbon fiber and lightweight aluminum. Allite Super Magnesium is an alloy previously used only in military and aerospace but now applicable to other fields. It is lighter and harder than aluminum, but not as expensive as carbon fiber.
Allite plans to officially launch this new magnesium alloy at the Interbike Bicycle Expo in Reno next week, hoping that it will create a new market under the carbon fiber in the lightweight world.
According to the manufacturer, although each of these three alloys—AE81, ZE62, and WE54—has their own specific strengths (weldability, malleability, and high-temperature processability), they all have high corrosion resistance Resistance, fatigue resistance and abrasion resistance, and has excellent hardness and electrical insulation properties. They are the only magnesium alloys on the market that only melt rather than burn under a flame of 1,200 ° F (650 ° C).
In terms of density, they are about 20% denser than good carbon-epoxy composites, but about 33% lower than aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminum. Please note that due to the different characteristics of each material, it is difficult to say exactly how heavy or light a particular part will eventually become.
Allite claims that these new alloys also have "the lowest carbon footprint of any structural material across the entire value chain", as well as being rich in raw materials and 100% recyclable.
The company says that these alloys have been under development since 2006, but they are "only licensed for classified defense and aerospace applications … until now." It would be great to see how bicycle manufacturers use them interesting. In addition to bicycle parts, Allite says they are suitable for a wide range of products, from sporting goods and drones to locomotive engine parts and even smartphones.