Magnesium is a metallic chemical element with the symbol Mg and atomic number 12. It is the lightest of the structural metals. The name of magnesium probably comes from that of a village in Asia Minor, Magnesia, well known several centuries before our era for its white magnesia. Whether in the form of oxide, carbonate, chloride or sulfate, magnesium ores are very common on Earth. The metal is not found there in the native state, its extremely high chemical activity does not allow it. It took igneous electrolysis or the use of very vigorous reducing agents at high temperatures to reduce the chloride and, more recently, the magnesium oxide.

It is the very particular affinity for oxygen which dominates the chemical properties in aqueous medium or at high temperature. The resistance to corrosion is influenced very sensitively by the impurity content; iron and nickel , in particular, greatly increase the rate of attack by water or diluted chemical reagents. The addition of zirconium plays a very remarkable role; its systematic application in the second half of the XX th century, caused a revival in metal magnesium. The search for the improvement of its mechanical properties at room temperature or when hot has led to the preparation of alloys withaluminum , then zinc and, more recently, thorium and rare earth metals (lanthanides).

The mechanical applications of magnesium are dominated by its low density which has led to its alloys being called “ultra-light”. It is also one of the materials which lends itself best to very high speed machining.

Pure magnesium

Burning magnesium produces white light. This makes it ideal for firework sparklers, flares and flash photography. It also functions as an agent to produce uranium out of salt. The element’s ions are necessary for every living organism. That is why magnesium salt is included in fertilizers and food. In many cases, magnesium bromide is utilized as a sedative. Magnesium is also used to remove sulfur from iron and steel.

Magnesium alloys

Magnesium alloys are in use around the world in a variety of different applications. They are a preferred material when looking for weight reduction without compromising overall strength. The vibration damping capacity is also beneficial in applications in which the internal forces of high-speed components must be reduced.The most common applications are:

•Aircraft and missile components

•Aircraft engine mounts, control hinges, fuel tanks, wings

•Automotive wheels, housings, transmission cases, engine blocks

•Bicycles and other sporting equipment

•Equipment for material handling

•Ladders

•Laptops, televisions, cell phones

•Luggage

•Portable power tools, chainsaws, hedge clippers, weed whackers

•Printing and textile machinery

•Steering wheels and columns, seat frames

Magnesium alloys have also been used as a replacement for some engineering plastics due to their higher stiffness, high recycling capabilities and lower cost of production.

Automotive applications

Today’s interest in magnesium alloys for automotive applications is based on the combination of high strength properties and low density. In automotive applications weight reduction will improve the performance of a vehicle by reducing the rolling resistance and energy is used in acceleration, thus reducing fuel consumption and, moreover, a reduction in the greenhouse gas CO2 can be achieved.
In the 1920s magnesium began to make an appearance in the automotive industry. The light weight metal began to be used in racing car adding to their competitive edge. About a decade later, magnesium began to be used in commercial vehicles such as the Volkswagen Beetle which contained about 20kg (44.09lbs) of the material. Interest in using magnesium in automotive applications has increased over the past decade in response to the increasing environmental and legislative influences. Fuel efficiency, increased performance and sustainability are top-of-mind issues.

Aerospace applications

Cars, vans and trucks are not the only vehicles that have incorporated magnesium in their designs. The aerospace industry has a long history of using the metal in many applications both civil and military. It is critical to lower the weight of air and space craft, as well as projectiles, if we are to achieve decreases in emissions and greater fuel efficiency. These changes will result in lower operational costs as well. Magnesium is an ideal material for use in these applications, due to limited continuing improvements on aluminum weight reduction, the high cost of fiber metal laminates, and the poor impact and damage properties of low density plastics when subjected to extreme temperatures. Magnesium can be found in the thrust reversers for the Boeing 737, 747, 757, and 767, as well as in engines and aircraft and helicopter transmission casings.

Medical Applications

In the 1st half of last century, magnesium was first introduced in the medical industry as an orthopedic biomaterial. There are many characteristics and properties that make magnesium a very attractive option for use in implants and similar applications. Other common implant materials have densities that range from 3.1-9.2g/cm3, whereas the density of natural bone is 1.8-2.1g/cm3 (112.37-131.10lb/ft3). Magnesium alloys are much more comparable, at a density of 1.74-2.0g/cm3 (108.62-lb/ft3). Magnesium is also much more akin to natural bone than other materials in regards to fracture toughness, elastic modulus and compressive yield strength. Not only does magnesium provide the mechanical and physical properties desirable in these applications, it also exhibits some special characteristics.

 

About Tehran Metal Market

Tehran Metal Market Company, despite years of activity in the field of metals and its experiences, is able to meet the needs of all domestic and international customers to the highest working standard and professionally in long-term and short-term projects. Our goal is to provide the lowest cost and highest quality raw materials to the most advanced producers in the country.