Researchers find aluminium best for greenhouse gas emissions

A head-to-head study of automotive components in different materials concludes that aluminium provides the greatest reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and the most energy savings. The Magnesium Front End Research Development (MFERD) project conducted a full life-cycle assessment (LCA) of steel, magnesium, and aluminium front-end parts in a Cadillac CTS. LCA considers fuel economy, emissions savings, and environmental impacts related to mining, refining, smelting and recycling. The results were delivered at the Society of Automotive Engineers' 2010 World Congress in Detroit. The study was the result of a collaborative effort by aluminium trade associations in Canada, China, and the U.S. The analysis showed that over the full lifecycle of each metal in a comparable design, magnesium saves 15% more energy than steel, and aluminium saves 20% more energy than steel. In terms of reducing CO2 emissions, magnesium was found to be 12% better than steel and aluminium 20% better. The aluminium design achieved the best lifetime performance for overall energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, according to the research. The Association maintains that LCA shows every kilogram of aluminium used in an automobile saves 20 kg. of CO2 emissions over the lifetime of the vehicle.(the end)Air Jordan