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| Features |
| The lightest metallic material |
| The density of the magnesium is about 2/3 of that of aluminum and
a quarter of that of steel. Magnesium is the lightest among metallic materials
which are being used practically. Application: Automobile parts and portable electronic appliance parts |
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| Strong and tough |
| Although magnesium alloy has a higher density than plastics, its tensile
strength and Young’s modulus per unit weight are higher than plastics.
This enables to make a lighter part by using magnesium alloy than plastics. Application: The frame and backside casing of liquid crystal panel for notebook PCs and mobile phones |
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| Heat dissipation |
| The thermal conductivity of magnesium alloy is much higher than that of
plastics. Magnesium casings of electronic appliances can dissipate heat,
which is generated in the electronic circuit, much more effectively than
plastic casings. Application: Casings for PCs, LCD projectors, and TV |
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| EMI shielding |
| Magnesium casing has a higher EMI shielding ability than plastic one with
metallic plating. Application: Mobile phone casings |
| Machinability | ||||||||||
| Magnesium alloy has a lower resistance against cutting than almost all other metallic materials. This makes it possible to do rapid machining. | ||||||||||
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| Table: Resistance of metallic materials against cutting(Relative value compared to magnesium alloy) | ||||||||||
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| Resistance against dent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Magnesium alloy has a high resistance against deformation and is less easily made dents than other metal. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Vibration absorption | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Magnesium alloy can absorb vibration energy effectively.
This is a desirable property for applications which any mechanical movement
is expected.
Application: Slide base for optical pick-up, and electric fan |
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| Ductility | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A certain kind of magnesium alloy has a higher ductility than aluminum
alloys and can absorb impact energy without brittle fracture. Application: Steering wheels and seat flames for automobiles |
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| Dimensional stability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dimensions of magnesium parts are very stable against time and temperature. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Easy recycling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Magnesium can be recycled without any degradation in physical properties, which is often experienced in plastics recycling. Also, the energy necessary for recycling process of magnesium alloys is smaller than that for other metals. Only 4% of energy for virgin metal production is enough for recycle process of used magnesium alloy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Table: Physical properties | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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