The use of magnesium alloys in structural applications has great potential for the lightweighting of transportation vehicles. Research within the CAST Cooperative Research Centre has tackled some of the important issues related to the use of magnesium in structural applications. To this end, a new alloy with extrudability and properties similar to 6000 series aluminum alloys has been developed. Furthermore, a method of laser heating magnesium alloys before self-piercing riveting has enabled high-integrity joining between magnesium components or between magnesium and dissimilar metals. In this paper, new technologies and improved understanding of the deformation behavior of wrought magnesium alloys are discussed in light of key metallurgical features such as alloy composition, grain size, and work hardening rate. All are part of CAST Co-operative Research Centre. Dr Easton can be reached at mark.easton@ eng.monash.edu.au.

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The feasibility of measuring residual stresses in self-pierce riveted (SPR) joints by neutron diffraction technique was investigated. The main challenge involved dealing with the very small dimensions of SPR joints. Two different joints were examined: aluminium-steel and steel-steel. Even though small dimensions were involved, meaningful results were obtained. In the rivet head, tensile stress was observed for the steel-steel sample, whereas only compressive stress was observed for the aluminium-steel. The residual stress in the rivet head was higher at the centre and lower at the edge for both joints. Stresses in the sheet material beside the rivet wall and at a distance of three times the rivet radius from the rivet axis were not significant. For the SPR joints examined, the maximum value of residual stress was compressive and occurred in the rivet leg. The results are discussed according to the physical events involved during the process.

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