The return of the magnesium block?
 

magnesium/ceramic

Lets hope so!

Great concept, but please note, "unfortunately, ceramic microparticles severely degrade the plasticity and machinability of metals".

'Nanoscale particles, by contrast, can enhance strength while maintaining or even improving metals' plasticity. But nanoscale ceramic particles tend to clump together rather than dispersing evenly, due to the tendency of small particles to attract one other.

To counteract this issue, researchers dispersed the particles into a molten magnesium zinc alloy. The newly discovered nanoparticle dispersion relies on the kinetic energy in the particles' movement. This stabilizes the particles' dispersion and prevents clumping.

To further enhance the new metal's strength, the researchers used a technique called high-pressure torsion to compress it.

"The results we obtained so far are just scratching the surface of the hidden treasure for a new class of metals with revolutionary properties and functionalities," Li said.'

I'm waiting for transparent aluminum.

I read about it. It exists, at least in the lab. Let me see if I can find the link....

Moving forward, in a 1.X liter twin turbo world the benefits at least as far weight savings is concerned seem very diminished.

So are George and Gracie, you know... For their Voyage Home.

Magnesium.
 

If it catches on fire, it is very difficult to extinguish.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium

That's not of much concern. If you have an engine fire (from a fuel leak, let's say) hot enough to catch a casting as large as an engine block on fire, your car is toast anyway.

JR

that would be amazing to have a transparent engine block and be able watch whats going on in there. A whole new application for go pro

we had our shop catch on fire last year, and there was a vw type 3 motor in it. boy the fire dept had a heck of a time with that thing!

Well, you don't want to use water to put it out....

JR

Slightly off topic re: magnesium fires, a True story:

In 1971 VW had a large regional distribution center in San Antonio just off IH35. A electrical short started a fire which quickly got out of control. The SA fire department was called, however the VW warehouse was actually about 1/4 mile or so outside the SA city limits so by city policy and lacking any kind of agreement the SA fire trucks pulled up the city limit signs and stopped.

The volunteer fire department which actually served that area was called but by the time they got there they could do nothing due to the size of the fire (and with lots of magnesium burning) so they pretty much watched the entire structure and all it's contents burn to the ground.

Needless to say VWofA told SA not only no but hell no when asked if they would be rebuilding the distribution center in SA. SA shortly amended it's policy about the SA fire department not going beyond the city limits to help with large fires. I don't remember where VW moved the distribution center to?

I once had some dealings with the Fire Marshall in San Antonio and I can say he was one of the biggest idiots I ever met. No idea if he's still there, but a city of that size deserved a lot better than he gave.

JR

Pretty sure plastic and related technology will progress faster than Mg alloys.

Sherwood

Plastic is so 1980s...

I remember seeing this car at Lime Rock trying to dice with the Porsche 956/962

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CRd4Jy4Q4_4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Basically a Ford Cosworth made out of plastic "Torlon" in a Lola chassis, This was when Porsche, Jaguar, Datsun, Aston-Martin had some serious weaponry...... as usual Porsche had the staying power...

Plastic engine

There is a company making a go at a plastic engine again....

Polimotor 2

Just noticed the backer designer of the new engine is the guy behind the original one

My daily driver has a magnesium block.