subject: Magnesium Sheeting in Aerospace Engineering [print this page] Magnesium Sheeting in Aerospace Engineering
The aerospace industry is one that requires lightweight but very strong materials in order to protect the passengers aboard the aircraft and also the multimillion dollar equipment. This is why magnesium was adapted early on for the industry's projects. Today, magnesium sheeting is a material used extensively in the aerospace industry once again. The alloy made of magnesium and aluminum primarily is now used for framing and various components throughout the aircraft.
Not the first encounter
Magnesium sheeting was used in aircraft prior to 1950, but replaced because of the widespread issues with corrosion. The first uses of magnesium in aerospace was in an alloy known as Duralumin, created by German physicist Alfred Wilm. The metal contained aluminum, copper, manganese, and 2.8% magnesium. This aluminum alloy with magnesium in the mix became the material that was the basis for aeronautic structures being developed and tested at the time. Also called Durenener aluminum, the metal was used to create the first successful completely metal aircraft in 1917 called the J7. This was two years after the all-steel J1 failed to even take off. Duralumin planes were flown by the German military during WWI. After this, magnesium began making more of an appearance in aviation structures.
As in the race-car industry, use of magnesium subsided until the turn of the twenty-first century when new technologies created a magnesium sheet that was less susceptible to corrosion, but still lighter and stronger than other materials around.
Benefits of new magnesium sheets
The new magnesium sheets are warm formed and combined with aluminum in a formula that is much less susceptible to corrosion. The magnesium alloy sheets are easier to form into parts for the aircraft's interior and exterior. It is also even lighter and stronger than its earlier counterpart, an attribute that today's aerospace industry requires for its many aeronautics advances.
Where to find magnesium sheets
Magnesium sheeting is not found as readily in commercial aircraft, especially those produced by Airbus and Boeing. You can find it in helicopters as well. However, magnesium is currently found mostly in frames, doorjambs, window frames, door panels, and more. New uses for magnesium alloy are being developed daily.
