How much of an advantage does the shock absorption performance of magnesium alloy wheels have over wheels made of other materials?

Magnesium alloy wheels have a significant advantage in shock absorption performance compared to wheels made of other materials. The details are as follows:

1. Compared with steel wheels:
   • Great difference in damping coefficient: The damping coefficient of magnesium alloy is much higher than that of steel. The higher the damping coefficient, the stronger the ability of the material to absorb and consume vibration energy. When subjected to external forces, the amplitude decays faster. This enables magnesium alloy wheels to absorb and dissipate the vibration energy generated during driving more quickly and convert it into other forms of energy. In contrast, steel wheels perform relatively poorly in terms of shock absorption.
   • Influence of weight factor: Magnesium alloy wheels are lightweight, while steel wheels are heavy. During vehicle driving, the lighter the unsprung mass, the more sensitive the response to vibrations. Moreover, the inertial force generated by lightweight wheels during vibrations is also smaller, which further enhances the shock absorption effect of magnesium alloy wheels. In comparison, the heavier weight of steel wheels makes the vehicle's perception of vibrations more obvious, and the shock absorption performance is poor.
2. Compared with aluminum alloy wheels:
   • Obvious advantage in damping coefficient: The damping coefficient of magnesium alloy is about 15 times that of aluminum alloy. This means that under the same vibration conditions, magnesium alloy wheels can better absorb and attenuate vibration energy, providing a more stable driving experience. Although aluminum alloy wheels are already better than steel wheels in terms of shock absorption performance, there is still a certain gap compared to magnesium alloy wheels.
   • Strong adaptability in structural design: The elastic modulus of magnesium alloy is relatively low, which makes magnesium alloy wheels more prone to elastic deformation when subjected to external forces. This characteristic enables magnesium alloy wheels to better adapt to uneven road surfaces and buffer vibrations through their own elastic deformation, reducing the vibration energy transmitted to the vehicle body. In contrast, the elastic modulus of aluminum alloy is relatively high, and its ability in elastic deformation is weaker.
3. Compared with carbon fiber composite wheels:
   • Each has its own advantages in shock absorption effect: Carbon fiber composite wheels have special vibration damping characteristics and are outstanding in terms of shock absorption and noise reduction. However, magnesium alloy wheels also have unique advantages in shock absorption performance. The density of magnesium alloy is greater than that of carbon fiber composites, and it has a better effect in absorbing low-frequency vibrations. While carbon fiber composites may be more advantageous in absorbing high-frequency vibrations.
   • Differences in cost and application range: The cost of carbon fiber composites is high, which limits its wide application in ordinary cars. In comparison, the cost of magnesium alloy wheels is relatively low. With the continuous development of technology and the expansion of production scale, its cost still has room for further reduction. In terms of application range, magnesium alloy wheels have been applied in some high-performance cars and new energy vehicles and have broad market prospects.