Cost performance balance of passivated magnesium powder metallurgical components in automotive lightweighting: economic analysis of passivation process

In the process of automotive lightweighting, passivated magnesium powder metallurgical components have shown great potential due to their low density, high specific strength and other characteristics. However, to achieve its widespread application, a balance needs to be found between cost and performance, and the economic analysis of passivation process is a key link.

From a cost perspective, passivation technology involves multiple costs. Firstly, there is the cost of raw materials. Passivation treatment requires specific passivators, and the prices of passivators of different types and qualities vary greatly. If high-performance and high stability passivators are used, although they can improve the corrosion resistance and other properties of components, they will significantly increase the cost of raw materials. Secondly, there is equipment cost. Passivation treatment requires specialized equipment and site, including passivation tanks, heating devices, mixing equipment, etc. The purchase, installation, and maintenance of equipment require significant capital investment, and the advanced level and production capacity of the equipment also affect costs. Furthermore, there is the cost of labor. The operation of passivation process requires professional technical personnel, and their wages, training expenses, etc. are also important components of the cost. In addition, there are energy consumption costs, such as the energy required to heat the passivation solution, as well as environmental protection costs such as waste liquid and exhaust gas treatment.

In terms of performance, the passivation process significantly improves the performance of magnesium powder metallurgical components. Passivation treatment can form a dense oxide film on the surface of the component, effectively preventing corrosive media in the external environment from contacting the base metal, thereby improving the corrosion resistance of the component. During the use of automobiles, this can extend the service life of components and reduce maintenance and replacement costs. At the same time, a good passivation effect can also improve the appearance quality of components and enhance the market competitiveness of products.

In order to achieve a cost performance balance, it is necessary to optimize the passivation process. On the one hand, costs can be reduced by developing new passivators. For example, searching for alternative materials with lower prices but similar performance, or developing composite passivators to reduce the use of expensive components. On the other hand, optimizing passivation process parameters such as passivation time, temperature, pH value, etc. can shorten processing time and reduce energy consumption while ensuring passivation effect.

In addition, large-scale production is also an effective way to reduce costs. With the expansion of production scale, fixed costs such as equipment depreciation and labor costs per unit product will be amortized and reduced. Meanwhile, large-scale production can also enhance the bargaining power of raw material procurement, further reducing raw material costs.

However, while pursuing cost reduction, performance requirements cannot be ignored. If the passivation process is overly simplified or inferior passivators are used in order to reduce costs, it may lead to substandard component performance, poor corrosion resistance, reduced strength, and other problems, which will instead increase subsequent maintenance and replacement costs, affecting the overall quality and safety of the car.

The cost performance balance of passivated magnesium powder metallurgical components in automotive lightweighting requires comprehensive consideration of all aspects of the passivation process. By optimizing processes, developing new materials, and achieving large-scale production measures, while ensuring the performance of components, we can reduce costs and promote the widespread application of passivated magnesium powder metallurgical components in the automotive industry, helping to promote the development of automotive lightweighting.