AMC-SCI: An elevated temperature magnesium alloy suitable for precisiion sand casting of powertrain components

AMC and the Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Cast Metals Manufacturing (CAST), with the support of Hydro Automotive (formerly VAW Aluminium AG), AVL List GMBH and Magnesium Elektron Limited (MEL), have developed a new sand cast alloy, AMC SC1, suitable for engine block applications. The creep and bolt load retention properties of this alloy are comparable to those of aluminium alloy A319. The alloy requires similar casting temperatures to A319 and a T6 heat treatment and, therefore, no significant new process technology is required to cast it. Parallel development work on production costs has been successful, indicating that AMC-SC1 is an economically viable magnesium alloy. The mechanical properties of the new alloy are reported in this paper, and discussed in relation to the properties required for a specific engine block design.