Magnesium application in railway rolling stocks: A new challenge and opportunity for lightweighting

Magnesium (Mg) and their alloys show potential in railway rolling stock applications due to their attractive mechanical properties, developed manufacturing processes, cost efficiency, and affluent resource reserve. In particular, high-strength Mg alloy components are important to lightweighting efforts in the railroad industry. In this review, Mg alloy processing technology for railroad vehicles is discussed with emphasis on energy savings, manipulation convenience, and reduction in friction/wear, vibration, and fatigue damage. It is shown that a Mg alloy train has a theoretical 8.6-12.6% comprehensive weight reduction potential in the equal-strength and equal-stiffness condition, where low-speed trains (metro, light rail train, tram/trolley car, monorail car, suspension train/schwebebahn etc..) exhibit a larger energy-savings than high speed trains. It is evident that the regulations of fabrication, processing, post treatment, assembly/installation, protection, and maintenance/replacement of Mg alloy components for the railroad industry all need further research and development.