When is magnesium the best alloy to use for a die cast part?
A. Magnesium (Mg) has a specific gravity of 1.74 g/cc, making it the lightest commonly used structural metal. Mg alloys have the highest strength-to-weight ratio and excellent damping characteristics. They are the easiest alloys to machine. High-purity Mg AZ91D, the most widely-used Mg die casting alloy, has excellent corrosion resistance, strength and castability. Its use in die cast parts has grown dramatically, often replacing plastic parts for greater strength and rigidity at no weight penalty. Utilizing the faster-cycling hot-chamber process for its Mg production, CWM operates three of among the world’s largest hot-chamber Mg die casting machines in one of the largest custom facilities in North America. For detailed information on Magnesium Alloy Properties, die casting, and post-casting characteristics, consult the NADCA Product Design Sourcebook or NADCA Product Standards Manual. Both are available from your CWM Sales/Engineering Representative or directly from CWM (See descript
