Magnesium Alloys Product Guide

Magnesium alloys are widely recognized as the lightest structural metals.  And to enhance their physical qualities, they are composed of magnesium mixed with other elements.  These elements include zirconium, manganese, zinc, rare earth metals, copper, aluminum, and silicon.

Versatile

Lightweight extruded magnesium alloys can be shaped into plate by rolling and extruded into both solid and hollow profiles. These can be further shaped using forging, pressing, bending or simply machining from solid. 

EMI/RFI Shielding 

Has inherent screening properties, useful for electronic enclosures and has good thermal conductivity for heat dissipation.

Cast alloys 

Cast alloys are often produced by pouring molten metal into a mold, where it then cools and solidifies into the desired form. This process is known as “casting.” Magnesium alloys often used in cast alloys include aluminum, manganese, and zinc in varying proportions, but not more than 10%. Also, zirconium and rare-earth metals have recently been employed as alloying elements, primarily for improving creep resistance. Aside from this, heat treatment enhances the mechanical qualities of cast alloys.

Wrought alloys 

These alloys are made via mechanical works, such as rolling processes, extrusion, and forging to get the required form. In addition, some of the most important alloying elements include aluminum, zinc, and manganese. However, there are two types of wrought magnesium alloys: heat-treated and non-heat treatable.

The tables below list some common properties of magnesium and the compositions of common magnesium alloys for extrusions.