Magnesium, with its lightweight nature and high strength-to-weight ratio, offers several advantages, particularly in industries like aerospace and automotive. It also exhibits excellent thermal conductivity, making it suitable for applications requiring efficient heat dissipation. However, magnesium's susceptibility to corrosion, especially in aqueous environments, is a significant drawback. It readily reacts with water and oxygen to form magnesium hydroxide and magnesium oxide, compromising its structural integrity. Additionally, when in contact with certain metals like steel or aluminum, magnesium can induce galvanic corrosion, further accelerating its degradation. Pitting corrosion and stress corrosion cracking are other concerns, particularly in environments containing chlorides or corrosive substances. To address these weaknesses, various strategies such as surface treatments, protective coatings, alloying, and careful design considerations are employed, ensuring the material's long-term performance and durability in the intended application.
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Listed below are some common applications of magnesium:
Magnesium is commonly used in fireworks and flares due to its intensely bright, white light when burned. It enhances the visual effects of pyrotechnic displays.
Some high-end luggage manufacturers use magnesium alloys to create lightweight yet durable suitcase frames. The lightweight nature of magnesium helps reduce the overall weight of the luggage.
Magnesium alloys are used in the production of sports equipment such as: tennis rackets, golf clubs, and bicycle frames. The lightweight and stiffness properties of magnesium contribute to improved performance.
Magnesium is used in the production of camera bodies, particularly in high-end cameras, due to its light weight and durability.
Magnesium is often used in producing power tool housings due to its lightweight nature and good impact resistance. This makes the tools more user-friendly and less fatiguing to use. In addition to this, magnesium's ability to dampen vibrations is an attractive attribute for hand-held power tools. Vibration damping is crucial in power tools because it helps reduce operator fatigue and discomfort during prolonged use.
Some car manufacturers use magnesium in the construction of car seat frames. Its lightweight nature helps improve fuel efficiency and overall vehicle performance.
Magnesium is used in the construction of laptop casings, primarily in high-end models. It provides a balance among weight, strength, and heat dissipation, contributing to the overall design and performance of the laptop.
Magnesium is a crucial component in the production of steel, primarily due to its role in desulfurization. Sulfur is typically considered an unwanted impurity in steel rather than an intentional alloying element. Sulfur, when present in steel, can have detrimental effects on its mechanical properties. It is also regarded as detrimental to both the surface and internal quality of steel. With concentrations exceeding 0.05%, sulfur can lead to increased brittleness and reduced weldability of steel. Besides making steel more brittle, it plays a role in reducing its melting point and diminishing its intergranular strength and cohesion. Also, in the presence of elemental sulfur, steel can experience both general and localized forms of corrosion. However, intentionally adding small amounts of sulfur, typically ranging from 0.10% to 0.30%, can actually enhance the steel's machinability.
Magnesium can reduce the sulfur content of steel to extremely low levels, as little as 0.%.
To learn more, see our guide on the Composition of Stainless Steel.
Magnesium is not used in the building industry because magnesium and its alloys are prone to galvanic corrosion, particularly when exposed to moisture and corrosive agents prevalent in construction environments. This susceptibility to corrosion raises durability concerns for long-term structural integrity. Moreover, the cost of producing magnesium and its alloys can be relatively high compared to established building materials like steel or aluminum.
Yes, magnesium can be used in die casting. Pure magnesium is not used, but magnesium alloys such as AZ91D are very popular die casting material choices. This alloy has castability and toughness, rendering it a good choice for crafting lightweight components with sufficient ductility that demand lasting performance. Other common magnesium die casting alloys include: AM60B, AM20, and AM50A.
Magnesium die casting designs can incorporate thin walls in regions where strength isn't a critical factor, and sturdier walls in zones necessitating heightened strength. The high-pressure die casting process enables the production of thinner walls with magnesium (ranging from 1 to 1.5 mm) than with aluminum alloys (typically around 2 to 2.5 mm).
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To learn more, see our guide on the Die Cast Process.
Magnesium offers a range of benefits across various aspects of industrial applications:
While magnesium offers numerous benefits in industrial applications, it also has some limitations that need to be considered such as:
No. &#;Rusting" is a term that is applied only to the corrosion of iron and steel, whose iron oxide is less dense than the metal itself, and therefore is not tightly adherent or protective. However, both magnesium and its alloys are susceptible to galvanic corrosion, a process that can lead to significant deterioration in the metal. This is especially true in applications where magnesium is exposed to aqueous solutions. This corrosion can lead to diminished mechanical strength and undesirable visual deterioration. In contrast to the reddish-brown rust commonly seen on corroded iron surfaces, magnesium corrosion typically manifests as a subdued gray film. For this reason, magnesium is commonly used as a sacrificial anode, where magnesium corrodes to protect the other metals.
Yes, magnesium can form alloys. An alloy is a mixture of two or more elements, at least one of which is a metal. It has properties distinct from those of its individual components. Magnesium can alloy with various other elements, such as: aluminum, zinc, and manganese. These alloying elements are added to magnesium to create magnesium alloys that exhibit specific properties tailored for various applications. Among the most common cast magnesium alloys, you'll find: Elektron 21, ZE41, QH21, HK31, ZC63, ZK61, AM50, AZ91, AZ81, AZ63, HZ32, QE22, WE54, WE43, and ZK51. On the wrought magnesium alloys side, the frequently used ones are: ZC71, ZE41, HM21, Elektron 675, ZK60, AZ80, HK31, M1A, AZ61, and AZ31.
Yes, magnesium is a chemical element classified as an alkaline earth metal. Magnesium has the characteristic properties of metals, such as: metallic luster, high thermal and electrical conductivity, malleability (ability to be shaped without breaking), and ductility. It's an important industrial metal and has applications in fields ranging from the aerospace industry to the automotive, due to its lightweight and strong properties.
To learn more, see our guide on What is An Alloy.
Magnesium is a solid at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure. It is a metallic element with a silvery-white appearance. Like many other elements, magnesium can exist in different states under different conditions and different temperatures and pressures. However, under typical conditions found on Earth's surface, magnesium is solid.
Magnesium is one of the metallic elements, meaning it falls under the broad category of metals. Metals are a group of elements characterized by their metallic luster, ability to conduct electricity, and generally high melting and boiling points. Besides being a metal, magnesium is also classified under the group alkaline earth metals. They are found on the left side of the periodic table.
To learn more, see our guide on the Most Common Metalloids.
The primary difference between magnesium and aluminum lies in their densities. Magnesium boasts a lower density than aluminum, which contributes to its lighter weight for a given volume of material. Moreover, magnesium has lower melting and boiling points when contrasted with aluminum.
To learn more, see our guide on What is Aluminum Metal.
This article presented magnesium, explained it, and discussed its composition and properties. To learn more about magnesium, contact a Xometry representative.
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