subject: Places Magnesium Has Taken Over - In Secret [print this page] Places Magnesium Has Taken Over - In Secret
Magnesium alloys have turned up in automobiles, airplanes, boats, factory machinery, human implants, sports equipment, and consumer electronics. It seems that the metal is also pulling duty in other products and industries. Think missile defense, travel, and home improvement. That's just a start.
Missiles
If any field needs to benefit from the light weight and corrosion protection of magnesium alloys, it is the missile defense manufacturing industry. Magnesium alloys isn't new to the industry, but their usage has become more vital since the improvement of magnesium alloy over the past decade with Thixomolding techniques.
Magnesium alloy missle housing has become more desirable as the metal can best protect the fragile interior components of the missile. Magnesium's dampening ability reduces vibrations inside the housing. The alloy's high dimensional stability also ensures that the housing maintains its integrity through temperature and moisture fluctuations that would buckle pure aluminum. It is also dent resistance and can be injection molded very thin without sacrificing the strength needed to contain the missile.
Luggage Frames
Magnesium is a structural metal used frequently in creating frames for military tents, and also luggage. The alloy is cast in just about any shape, so it is a likely skeleton for the bag that is most abused on airports, trains, and busses. Magnesium is used because it can provide the strength needed to withstand the abuse without becoming much too heavy for the traveler to carry. Most bags are wheeled, but can be loaded to capacity with traveling paraphernalia. Only a small portion of the luggage's weight is the bag itself .
Tools
Product weight was also the factor in making magnesium alloy the growing choice for many power and manual tools. Steel was once the preference for its durability and aluminum for its corrosion resistance. However, magnesium alloy combines these traits in a way that has overtaken the tool industry. The alloy can be found in the housing of the tool as well. The preferred alloy combination, according to the International Magnesium Association, appears to be a mix of magnesium, aluminum, and zinc.
Pipelines
No, the alloy is not used to construct the pipeline, but in much the same way that it is used in boating. Magnesium alloy is used to create anodes within the pipelines located underground. These sacrificial anodes draws the current that causes the metal pipeline to corrode from within. In creating an anode out of the magnesium fixture within the pipeline, the metal pipe interior becomes a cathode or area that is practically free of the corrosive electrochemical current. In this way, the magnesium alloy helps prolong the life of the underground pipe .
The next time you pick up a lightweight item that you think is made of one of the usual metal suspects, think again. If it is light, and seems to resist corrosion or vibration, you may just have some magnesium alloy on your hands.
