Comprehensive introduction of magnesium alloy - the main uses of magnesium alloy

The main use of magnesium alloy

Magnesium alloy is the lightest metal structure material with a density of 1.75-1.90s/cm3. Its specific strength is higher than aluminum alloy and steel, slightly lower than the highest specific strength of fiber reinforced plastics; Its machining performance is excellent, easy to process and low processing cost, processing energy is only 70% of aluminum alloy; Its corrosion resistance is much better than low carbon steel, has exceeded the die cast aluminum alloy A380; Its damping and electromagnetic shielding properties are much better than that of aluminum alloy. In addition, magnesium alloy dynamics of low density, low melting point, low viscosity, low heat capacity and low phase change latent heat and the affinity with iron small wait for a characteristic, make its have melted less energy consumption, fast filling speed, fast solidification, the actual die casting cycle short, the advantages of the die service life is long, very suitable for modern die casting technology is adopted to improve the forming, The parts with thin wall and complex shape near final shape are fabricated directly. Moreover, magnesium alloy die casting has excellent performance and can replace steel, aluminum alloy, plastic and other parts very well under conventional conditions. At the same time of realizing the lightweight product, the product also has excellent special function, and can be directly recycled after the magnesium alloy die casting is scrapped, which meets the requirements of environmental protection. Therefore, magnesium alloy with excellent comprehensive performance is praised as the "21st century metal" and is widely used in automobile, computer, communication and other broad fields.

Rapid growth of die casting magnesium alloys

In the past, magnesium was mainly used in the production of magnesium aluminum alloy. By 1990, die-cast magnesium alloy became the second largest product of magnesium. Magnesium alloy structures are generally die castings. According to the International Magnesium Association (1MA), magnesium for die casting is growing at an annual rate of 17.6%. At this rate, die casting magnesium alloys will become the most important magnesium application field in the 21st century. The rapid growth of die casting magnesium alloys is mainly due to the increasingly urgent demand for lightweight and environmental protection, the continuous improvement of magnesium alloys properties and the remarkable progress of die casting technology.

Automotive lightweight to act as a new force

The application of magnesium alloy die casting parts to automotive lightweight parts accounted for the vast majority, about 80%-90%. Since the 1990s, the use of magnesium alloy parts for automobiles has grown at an annual rate of 20 percent, up to 35 percent in North America and 60 percent in Europe. Due to the mass production of magnesium, the material's price has fallen, accelerating its extensive use in parts for transport vehicles. In 2002, global magnesium alloy parts production was about 140kT, of which automotive applications accounted for 74%, followed by 3C applications, which accounted for only 24%. It is expected that in 2020, the use of magnesium alloy vehicles will exceed 100kg/ vehicle, and Ford predicts that it will even reach 122kg/ vehicle. By then, the global consumption of magnesium alloy in the automobile industry will reach 5000kT /a. At present, more than 60 kinds of magnesium alloy die casting parts have been used in automobile industry abroad.

Electronic information products blow magnesium alloy wind

In recent years, the rapid development of electronic information industry has opened up another market space for magnesium alloy. Of the 30 million notebook PCS shipped worldwide in 2003, 75 percent used plastic cases and only 25 percent used magnesium alloy cases. However, the proportion of magnesium alloy cases will increase to more than 50 percent in 2004. Dell in 2003 because of the use of magnesium alloy chassis and body of the main components, the proportion of magnesium alloy is as high as 50%, has been 2004 new model (code JM5) fully replaced with magnesium alloy chassis. SONY is currently holding an event in Japan to replace magnesium alloy cases for certain older VAIO laptops. Has always been the world's notebook computer industry design and using new material leading IBM began extensive use of magnesium alloy, in addition to high-end models Think Pad T series has been full of magnesium alloy for chassis, IBM and Taiwanese notebook manufacturers weighs 2.1 inch model for the first time cooperation, at the same time to magnesium alloy as the material at the bottom of the panel and chassis.

Since the end of the third quarter of 2003, magnesium alloys have been popular in mobile phones. Handset manufacturers, led by MOTOROLA, are also actively adopting magnesium alloy cases and components. In 2003, the proportion of magnesium alloy used in the global mobile phone case was about 15%. The number of magnesium alloys used in digital cameras increased from 2 to 3 million in 2003 to more than 5 million in 2004.

Magnesium alloy will be gradually expanded to other industrial sectors, become more and more extensive new materials.

Resource advantages should be transformed into industrial advantages

China is very rich in magnesium resources, ranking first in the world, and is one of the largest magnesium producing countries in the world. Since the 1990s, China's magnesium industry has developed rapidly. At present, the market share of magnesium has reached more than 50%, but the application development of magnesium alloys lags behind, and more than 80% of them are exported as primary raw materials at low prices. And domestic magnesium consumption is low, the use of magnesium alloy die casting in automobile industry has just started. According to relevant data, the magnesium content of Santana car is only 8.5kg/car, while the average magnesium content of foreign cars is 40kg/ car, the gap is very large.

It should also be pointed out that in recent years, international manufacturers are competing for control of magnesium resources. For example, Ford Company of the United States, Normandy Mining Company and Commonwealth Scientific and Engineering Research Institute of Australia jointly formed The Australian Magnesium Company and invested in the construction of the world's largest magnesium production base in Australia. General motors has signed a long-term cooperation agreement with NORSKHYDRO, the world's largest magnesium supplier, to establish magnesium production facilities in Canada, Norway and Russia. Germany's Volkswagen and Israel's magnesium manufacturers jointly build a magnesium processing plant in the Dead Sea region. At the same time, the international companies have started to magnesium alloy research, in order to increase the added value of magnesium products, to seize the world market.

This indicates that the development of China's magnesium alloy industry is faced with both severe challenges and great historical opportunities. In recent years, some enterprises and research institutes in Beijing, Qingdao, Chongqing and Shanghai have made gratifying progress in the application and industrialization of magnesium alloys. It is believed that China's advantage in magnesium resources can be transformed into an industrial advantage.