John B. Hallowell
Published: 1964
Total Pages: 28
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This report describes the characteristics and properties of existing commercial magnesium alloys and compares these relative to each other. Although this report is not intended to serve as a source of design data for magnesium alloys, it was written to provide a simple, up-to-date background of information for the technologist who is faced with the problem of materials selection and who is unfamiliar with the advantages and discaadvantages of magnesium alloys. The eight major alloying elements which are used to control the properties of magnesium are listed along with selected data illustrating the binary phase relationships which exist, between the hexagonal, close-packed structure of magnesium and each of these metals. The nomenclature system for commercial magnesium alloys is explained and compositions and available forms of the alloys are given. Property comparisons of both cast and wrought alloys are presented. There is a section in the report dealing with the joining, forming, and machining of magnesium, and a section devoted to a discussion of a number of finishing systems which have been developed for magnesium alloys. (Author).