MAGNESIUM

Packing:

• Stacked on pallets

 

Sizing:

• Ingots

 

About Magnesium

Magnesium is a shiny grey metal and has a low density, low melting point and high chemical reactivity. It reacts readily with air to form a thin passivation coating of Magnesium Oxide that inhibits further corrosion. The free metal burns with a brilliant-white light. The metal is obtained mainly by electrolysis of Magnesium salts obtained from brine. It is less dense than Aluminium and is used primarily as a component in strong and lightweight alloys that contain Aluminium.

 

Properties of Magnesium

Because of its low density (only two-thirds that of Aluminum), it has found extensive use in the aerospace industry. However, because the pure metal has low structural strength, Magnesium is mainly used in the form of alloys—principally Aluminum, Zinc, and Manganese—to improve its hardness, tensile strength, and ability to be cast, welded, and machined.

The thermal and electrical conductivity of Magnesium and its melting point are very similar to those of Aluminium. Whereas Aluminium is attacked by alkalies but is resistant to most acids, Magnesium is resistant to most alkalies but is readily attacked by most acids to liberate hydrogen (with the exception of chromic and hydrofluoric acids). At normal temperatures it is stable in air and water because of the formation of a thin protective skin of oxide, but it is attacked by steam.

 

Uses

Magnesium is the easiest structural metal to machine and has often been used when a large number of machining operations are required. Magnesium alloys have a number of applications; they are used for parts of aircraft, spacecraft, machinery, automobiles, portable tools, and household appliances.

Magnesium is a powerful reducing agent and is used to produce other metals from their compounds e.g. Titanium, Zirconium, and Hafnium.