Magnesium Alloy,Magnesium Casting,Magnesium Alloy Casting

About Magnesium :
Magnesium Casting

Having a density of 1.74 g.cm-3, magnesium is a lightest structural metal, highly used in an alloyed form. It is found in the form of an oxide, silicate, carbonate or in combination with calcium. Magnesium is a reactive metal and due to this it needs large amount of energy.

Development of Magnesium alloys :
Traditionally, magnesium alloys have been driven in the market due to the required needs of aerospace industry for lightweight materials. The low density of magnesium alloys have been a major factor in the far flung usage of wrought products and magnesium alloy castings. Now in recent times, premium corrosion performance and dramatic advancements have been exhibited for new magnesium alloys. These improvements have led to greater interest in aerospace and specialty applications. Even, in some popular programmes like McDonnell Douglas MD 500 helicopter, magnesium alloys have been specified and utilized.

Applications of Magnesium Alloys

Physical properties :

Atomic number	12
Atomic mass	24.31
Colour	Silvery grey metal
Density	1.738 g.cm ^-3 at 20^ºC 1.58 g.cm^-3 at 650RC (1)
Melting point	650^ºC
Boiling point	1103ºC
Crystal structure	close-packed hexagonal
Heat of combustion	25020 kJ.kg -1
Flame temperature	~2800^ºC
Heat of fusion	368 kJ.kg-1
Heat of vaporisation	5272 kJ.kg-1
Specific heat	1025 J.K -1.kg at 20^ºC
Vapor pressure	20 Pa at 527^ºC(s) 360 Pa at 650^ºC (1) 1400 Pa at 727^ºC
Valence states	Mg²⁺
Viscosity	1.25 cp at 650ºC (1)

Characteristics :

Magnesium alloys are known for the following features :

They are light weighted and have low density i.e approx two third of aluminum.
Equipped with excellent mechanical properties, magnesium alloys are good at high temperature conditions.
They have high corrosion resistance.

Applications :

Aerospace: Magnesium alloy forgings are highly used in aerospace industries covering critical gearbox parts for the West land Sea King helicopter and aircraft wheels, both in ZW3. Also, forged magnesium parts are widely applicable in aero engine applications.
Automotive - motor racing: Magnesium-zirconium alloys are widely used in low volume applications where they are processed by sand or investment casting, or wrought products by extrusion or forging. They are applied in several engineering applications.
Bicycles: One of the magnesium alloy, matrix composite is exclusively used in the bicycle industry due to its excellent stiffness and reduced weight as compared to aluminum.
Others: Magnesium alloys are also highly used in many other arenas like electronics, sporting goods, nuclear applications, office equipment, flares, sacrificial anodes for the protection of other metals, flash photography and tools.