Very low density metals for weight-critical parts.
Magnesium (1.74 g/cm³) is the lightest structural metal; alloys (AZ31, AZ91) for die-cast housings and automotive parts; flammable chips and poor corrosion resistance. Beryllium, lithium and metal-matrix composites also serve weight-critical uses.
Laptop frames and steering wheels use magnesium alloys.
Magnesium and other light alloys reduce weight in parts where mass matters most, such as vehicles and portable equipment.
Very low density metals for weight-critical parts.
Magnesium and other light alloys reduce weight in parts where mass matters most, such as vehicles and portable equipment.
It is reactive and corrodes easily, so it needs coatings or protection, and it burns when finely divided.
They reduce the mass of moving parts, which saves energy and improves performance.
Typical applications include making a steering wheel frame from magnesium to save weight, choosing a lightweight alloy for a camera housing and designing a laptop chassis from a magnesium alloy.
Study "Titanium and superalloys" first (topic 26 of 100 in Materials & Chemical). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
HCP limited ductility at room temperature. Galvanic corrosion with steel. Recycling.
Laptop frames and steering wheels use magnesium alloys.
The next topic is "Powder metallurgy", which builds directly on this one.
It is classed as Beginner in Materials & Chemical (topic 27 of 100). It is an entry-level topic. It relies only on basic school mathematics and the ideas introduced earlier in this discipline.
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