When it comes to magnesium and magnesium alloys, many people may sound strange. But do you know? Magnesium alloys composed of magnesium as a matrix have low density, good functional characteristics, and light weight. Its density is 1/4 of steel, and it is a green metal material with great application prospects. In life, magnesium alloy is getting more and more applications.
It is understood that more than 70% of the world's magnesium resources are in China. How should such abundant resources be used? What role do magnesium and magnesium alloys play in our lives?
On November 9th, the 2019 Chongqing Talent Conference was held at the Yuelai International Conference Center in Liangjiang New District. Pan Fusheng, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, chairman of the Chongqing Municipal Science and Technology Association, and a professor at Chongqing University, was a guest at the "Overseas Chinese Town-Chongqing" Chongqing Talent Conference special program to decipher the magnesium alloy research , Application and future.
Wide range of high-quality materials
Magnesium alloys are used in all aspects of life
Professor Pan Fusheng specializes in the research and application of magnesium alloys, aluminum alloys, tool steels, metal matrix composites, etc. Especially in magnesium alloys, he is an internationally renowned magnesium alloy scientist and well-known aluminum alloy expert.
He introduced that initially, magnesium was mainly used as a raw material and reducing agent for fireworks and firecrackers, and magnesium alloy was rarely used as a material. Nowadays, magnesium alloys have begun to be applied on a large scale in automobile, rail transit, aerospace, biomaterials, etc., especially in automobile, aircraft, and satellite manufacturing.
"For example, 85% of automobile steering wheels are now made of magnesium alloys. At the same time, more and more cars are also using magnesium alloys for instrument panels, central control brackets and other parts." Pan Fusheng said, "Auto parts With magnesium, the energy consumption can be reduced by 10% -15%, plus magnesium can be recycled, it is the most potential lightweight green material. "
In addition, since the modulus of elasticity of magnesium alloys is comparable to that of human bones, and it is easily degradable and harmless to humans, a variety of magnesium alloy biomaterials and products have been developed and clinical trials and small-scale applications have begun. Including magnesium alloy bone nails, magnesium alloy vascular stents, etc., it has obtained medical certification in Germany and South Korea. The application of magnesium in biomaterials is very important for the development of medical devices.
Fruitful
China's magnesium alloy research is at the forefront of the world
"It can be said that China's magnesium alloy research is at the forefront of the world." Pan Fusheng introduced that he has studied magnesium for more than 30 years. The National Magnesium Alloy Material Engineering Technology Research Center founded by Chongqing University has become the world's largest magnesium alloy research institution. At present, it has published more than 800 papers in SCI, authorized more than 170 invention patents, formulated more than 10 national standards and industry standards, won 4 national technological invention awards and scientific and technological progress awards, and ministerial and provincial technological invention awards and scientific and technological progress awards. More than 10 items.
In recent years, the National Magnesium Alloy Center has focused on solving key problems such as poor plasticity of magnesium alloy materials, difficulty in forming, low purity, uncoordinated functional and structural characteristics, and low yield, and has undertaken to complete a number of important national projects With a number of important international cooperation projects, it has made important innovations in the fields of high plastic magnesium alloys, structural and functional integrated materials, advanced forming processing technology and deep purification, etc., for the development and growth of China's magnesium science and technology and industry and to the world Made an important contribution.
At present, the National Magnesium Alloy Center of Chongqing University has published more than 800 papers in SCI, authorized more than 170 invention patents, formulated more than 10 national standards and industry standards, and won 4 national technological invention awards and scientific and technological progress awards. More than 10 invention awards and scientific and technological progress awards.
From an industrial point of view, a large number of magnesium alloy products have begun to realize industrialization, of which more than 80% of auto parts have been used magnesium alloy. According to incomplete statistics, nearly one-quarter of the world's automobiles use magnesium alloy parts developed and manufactured by Chongqing.
The National Magnesium Alloy Material Engineering Technology Research Center of Chongqing University is currently further accelerating its pace in the fields of magnesium alloy material development, technology process development, product development, etc. In the future, it will increase the transformation of achievements and technology transfer, and further make magnesium alloys in more The field is widely used.
Looking to the future
Magnesium battery may trigger energy industry revolution
Talking about the future, what development trend and direction will magnesium alloys have?
"I hope that in the future, magnesium alloys can be applied in every area of our lives." Pan Fusheng said that to achieve this dream, first of all, we must develop a mature industrial chain and improve the performance and application of magnesium alloys, such as cars, aircraft, and rails. Transportation is then further extended to all aspects of life. In addition, he is very optimistic about the development and application of magnesium alloy energy storage materials.
"At present, we use lithium-ion batteries in electronic products such as mobile phones and laptop computers, and electric vehicles also use lithium-ion batteries in large quantities. However, the development of lithium-ion batteries to the present has problems in resources, safety, environmental protection, etc. There is still no good solution. Magnesium batteries have the potential to solve these problems of lithium-ion batteries. In the future, magnesium batteries may trigger a revolution in the energy industry and the battery industry. "Pan Fusheng said that theoretically, the energy density of magnesium batteries is higher than that of lithium-ion batteries. Battery, if the same electric car, the mileage will be longer when using magnesium battery. The same mobile phone, using magnesium batteries, has a longer standby time.
Today, there are still many technical bottlenecks in the research and development of magnesium batteries, so more professionals are gathering to participate in the research and development of magnesium ion batteries. This is not only related to the development of the magnesium industry itself, but also inseparable from the development of the entire society and industry.