Experts answers:
| Q: Can the use of magnesium be considered a revolution in the die casting industry? |
| A: Although magnesium alloys have been die cast since the 1920?s it is only during recent years that there has been significant growth of this market. Factors contributing to this growth include reductions in the cost and energy to produce magnesium, improvements in the mechanical and corrosion properties of magnesium die casting alloys, and the development of die casting design and process technology that meets the need for light weight, cost effective parts. |
| Q: What are the prospects for the development of the magnesium casting market? |
| A: The tendency to replace aluminum, zinc and plastic components with magnesium parts is going to increase. Certainly this is not possible for all aluminum, zinc or plastic applications, however, it is possible for a significant portion of them. Magnesium components have attributes that are very attractive for the electronic, automotive, sporting goods, and power tool industries. |
| Q: What are the advantages of magnesium in comparison to other materials? |
| A: Magnesium, along with aluminum and zinc, is one of the few metals that can be fabricated into complex, cost effective parts by a high-pressure die casting process. The main advantage of magnesium compared to aluminum and zinc is its excellent strength to weight ratio. Magnesium is less costly on a unit volume basis than aluminum, zinc and plastic of comparable durability. For applications such as automotive parts, where low density is important, magnesium has an advantage over aluminum because of the existence of die casting alloys that have high ductility. This is very important when taking advantage of the parts consolidation that can be accomplished through die castings, and where ductile steel fabrications are being considered for replacement. For electronic applications magnesium not only offers the ability to fabricate attractive, complex, light weight, and cost effective enclosures, but its excellent shielding properties against electromagnetic radiation offers another major advantage. |
| Q: What are the advantages of applying hot chamber technology? |
| A: The basic advantage is a reduction of the casting process cost (machinery, tools, cycle time, and energy). Compared to cold chamber die casting technology, hot chamber technology can manufacture the same part with a smaller machine, a less expensive die, greater efficiency for the part to trim waste, and with a shorter casting cycle time. |
| Q: Is magnesium casting dangerous ? |
| A: No. If the relevant procedures are maintained, the process does not create any threat. Understanding the physical characteristics of the materials being processed and having the proper equipment and procedures in place to address any potential problem is the key to maintaining safety in any manufacturing operation. The magnesium industry has a wealth of experience to draw upon with respect to safety and loss prevention and there are numerous resources available for the establishment of safe operating procedures and training. |
| Q: Is magnesium more difficult to die cast than other metals? |
A: In reality, magnesium is no more difficult to die cast than other metals. There are some characteristics of the metal that require major differences in the equipment and process procedures that must be taken into account. The following lists some of these characteristics and their effect:
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