Projects implemented
Cold-forming of magnesium alloy and the formation of a resistant powder coating,
Acronim: CoFoMag
Project objective
As a result of the project, an innovative, light material system (metal – protective coating), in the form of a cold-formed magnesium alloy in the form of sheet metal and covered with a stable coating serving as corrosion protection, anti-currency properties, grease and surface stability agent, in one. This applies in particular to further steps in the manufacture of a specific product requiring deformation during which the coating must maintain its integrity.
An easy-to-implement solution has been developed, with little investment (most innovation concerns materials and reagents used).
The implementation of a solution for the production of light but corrosion-resistant elements with cold-formed magnesium alloy allows to achieve 40% cost savings compared to the currently used solutions for the production of light magnesium alloy components.
An additional benefit is the 52% savings in electricity consumption, which, at rising energy purchase prices, is a huge potential to reduce production costs and thus increase competitiveness. Energy savings also translate into reduced greenhouse gas emissions – a directive requiring the calculation of the carbon footprint of companies or products will force ever-increasing improvements and modifications to technological processes to meet the ever-increasing requirements.
Application potential
The greatest potential of the solution is the implementation of technology in the wider transport industry, with a particular focus on the automotive industry, where reducing the weight of the product, especially in electric powered vehicles, is of particular importance for reducing energy consumption.
In addition, in almost all industries, the aim is to reduce CO2 emissions and increase energy efficiency – and as the market for light constructions in the transport sector is constantly growing, more energy efficient technologies should be enjoyed.
Project consortium partners
The R & D project was carried out as part of the CORNET action – 29 in an international consortium with the participation of the Cluster of Innovative Manufacturing Technologies CINNOMATECH (Poland) acting as coordinator and Research Network Łukasiewicz – Institute of Precision Mechanics (Poland), the European Association of Sheet Metal Working (Germany), Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Zentrum für Material- und Küstenforschung (Germany), Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU (Germany), Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V. (Germany).