Why Magnesinum Wheels Not So Common?
Apr 01, 2026
Cost and price factors
High raw material and processing costs: Although the price of magnesium alloy raw materials is similar to that of aluminum alloy, the overall processing cost is 15% -20% higher than that of aluminum alloy. Smelting requires inert gas protection, with processing costs several times higher than aluminum alloys, and extrusion forming speeds only a fraction of aluminum alloys.
The equipment investment is huge: a forged magnesium wheel hub production line with an annual output of 100000 requires an equipment investment of about 200 million yuan, which is 2-3 times that of a casting production line of the same scale.
The finished product is expensive: a forged magnesium alloy wheel hub may cost $2000, while a gravity cast aluminum alloy wheel hub only costs $130. At present, the price of magnesium alloy forged wheels on the market ranges from thousands to tens of thousands of yuan.
Material performance limitations
Poor corrosion resistance: Magnesium alloys are prone to corrosion in humid environments and require corresponding protective treatment. In comparison, aluminum alloy has better stability performance.
Relatively low strength and stiffness: Aluminum alloy has high strength and stiffness, and performs well in load-bearing capacity and impact resistance. Although magnesium alloy is lightweight, its strength is relatively low.
Poor high-temperature performance: Magnesium alloys have problems such as poor plastic deformation and poor high-temperature performance, which need to be further addressed.
Process and technical threshold
Low material utilization rate: The material utilization rate of forging technology is usually only 30-40%, far lower than the 60-70% of casting technology, resulting in high unit product costs.
Low yield rate: The forging method has a low yield rate, and the manufacturing process requires high anti-corrosion technology. Although semi-solid processing can improve performance, it increases the pulping process and brings about cost increases.
Insufficient maturity of the industrial chain: After decades of verification, aluminum alloy wheels can meet the strength and durability needs of most household cars, with a recycling rate of over 95% and low lifecycle costs. Magnesium alloys have not been a research hotspot for a long time, and their conversion into industrial products is not as extensive as aluminum alloys.
