Magnesium is the lightest structural metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust. It has a silvery-white appearance and is usually alloyed for strength and corrosion resistance. Like all metals, magnesium is a good conductor of electricity and heat. Some key facts about magnesium include:
- Chemical symbol: Mg
- Atomic number: 12
- Atomic weight: 24.31 g/mol
- Melting point: 650°C (1202°F)
- Boiling point: 1091°C (1996°F)
- Classification: Alkaline earth metal
- Group in periodic table: 2
- Period in periodic table: 3
Physical and Chemical Properties
Magnesium Metal has a hexagonal close-packed crystal structure and it cleaves easily along these planes. It is a moderately hard and strong metal that deforms under moderate stress. However, it is not considered malleable or ductile compared to other metals. Magnesium is very reactive and burns with a brilliant white flame when exposed to air or water. It forms a white coating of magnesium oxide that protects the metal below from further oxidation.
Magnesium has the lowest density of all structural metals at 1.738 g/cm3. This makes it 33% lighter than aluminum and 78% lighter than steel. This light weight characteristic makes magnesium an attractive material for aerospace, automotive, and electronic applications where weight reduction is important. However, its reactivity makes pure magnesium difficult to produce and work with industrially.
Alloying and Other Properties
Commercially pure magnesium contains at least 99.8% magnesium by mass. Alloying with other metals improves the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of magnesium. Some common magnesium alloys include:
- AZ-series alloys (aluminum and zinc) - High strength and castability for die casting
- ZK-series alloys (zinc) - Good strength and corrosion resistance
- WE-series alloys (rare earth elements) - Superior strength and formability
In addition to light weight, magnesium alloys also demonstrate good mechanical properties based on their composition. They have high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios that make them appealing for structural applications. Magnesium also has good vibration damping, electromagnetic shielding, and heat dissipation characteristics.
However, the corrosion resistance of pure magnesium is poor compared to aluminum. Properly alloyed magnesium has better corrosion resistance suitable for a wide range of applications. Magnesium is non-toxic and can enter the human body more efficiently than other metals like calcium and zinc.
Applications of Magnesium
Due to its unique combination of physical properties, magnesium finds applications in many industries:
Automotive
- Parts for engines, transmissions, and vehicles structures to reduce weight
- Alloy wheels and body panels for hybrid/electric vehicles
Aerospace
- Airframe components such as cowlings, wing and fuselage skin, seat frames
- Internal components like brackets and pulleys
Electronics
- Housings and parts for laptops, cameras, tablets, and smartphones
- Heat sinks to dissipate heat from microchips and LEDs
Sports Equipment
- Bike frames, skis, snowboards, and golf club heads
- Rackets and protective equipment to balance performance and weight
Biomedical
- Implants like bone screws, plates and joint replacement components
- Medicine capsules due to magnesium's absorbability in the body
Other Uses
- Desulphurization of molten iron in steel making
- Flares, flashbulbs, fireworks due to its pyrophoric nature
- Extraction of rare earth metals
Advantages and Disadvantages of Magnesium
The major advantages of using magnesium include its light weight, high specific strength, shock and vibration absorbing properties, electromagnetic shielding ability, and heat dissipating characteristics. Magnesium alloys demonstrate good machinability, castability, and formability for a range of industrial applications.
However, magnesium also has some disadvantages compared to other structural metals. It has poor corrosion resistance in its pure form requiring proper alloying. Magnesium is difficult to weld due to low melting point and high reactivity. It cannot be hardened by heat treatment and has limited formability at room temperature. The metal also poses fire risk as it burns vigorously when exposed to heat or open flame. High projected costs and processing challenges are other drawbacks of magnesium use.
Sustainability
Magnesium usage is projected to grow steadily in the coming years driven by demand from automotive, aerospace and electronics industries. Lightweighting is increasingly important for fuel efficiency and performance in these sectors. Ongoing development is improving processing technologies and corrosionresistant alloys to maximize usage potential of magnesium.
Magnesium is one of the most abundant metals on earth and seawater is a potential source for production. The metal is 100% recyclable without loss in quality. Recycling reduces energy consumption versus primary production from ores. With sustainable alloy development and production methods, magnesium can support a low carbon future through lightweighting of transportation and electric vehicle applications. Overall, the future outlook appears positive as more industries adopt this environment-friendly yet high performance metal.
Resource – What are the challenges and innovations in magnesium metal production?
Advantages of Magnesium Metal in Lightweight Material Solutions
Applications of Magnesium Metal: From Aviation to Vehicles
What are the Key Development of the Magnesium Metal Market?
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