ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIAL

Magnesium Alloys

The ultimate choice for lightweighting. As the lightest structural metal, magnesium offers an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, perfect for aerospace, automotive, and portable electronics applications.

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A precision CNC milled housing made from a lightweight magnesium alloy

Lighter Than Aluminum, Stronger Than Plastic

Magnesium is a structural metal that is approximately 33% lighter than aluminum and 75% lighter than steel. Its combination of low density and good mechanical strength makes it a superior choice for applications where reducing weight is the most critical design driver.

Extreme Lightweight

With a density of only ~1.8 g/cm³, it provides significant weight savings over any other common structural metal.

High Strength-to-Weight Ratio

Offers a strength comparable to many aluminum alloys, but at a much lower weight, resulting in an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.

Vibration Damping

Magnesium has excellent damping capacity, meaning it can absorb vibrations and impacts more effectively than aluminum, which is beneficial for high-performance applications.

Manufacturing with Magnesium

We work with magnesium primarily through two processes.

CNC Machining: Magnesium alloys can be machined at very high speeds, often faster than aluminum. However, it requires specific expertise and safety protocols, as fine magnesium chips can be flammable under certain conditions.
Die Casting: Magnesium is excellent for high-pressure die casting. Its low density and fluidity allow for the creation of very thin-walled, complex, and lightweight parts with fast cycle times. This is common for producing laptop cases and camera bodies.

A slim, lightweight smartphone housing, a key application for magnesium alloys

Magnesium Alloys FAQ

What are the common magnesium alloys?

The most common casting alloy is AZ91D, which offers a good combination of strength and castability. For wrought applications (machining from block), AZ31 is a common choice.

Is magnesium corrosion resistant?

Magnesium is more susceptible to corrosion than aluminum, especially galvanic corrosion and in saltwater environments. To protect magnesium parts, they must be treated with a protective finish, such as a chromate conversion coating followed by a durable powder coat or paint.

Are there safety concerns with machining magnesium?

Yes. While solid magnesium parts are safe, fine chips and dust from machining can be highly flammable and must be handled with extreme care. We employ specific safety protocols, including using appropriate coolants, sharp tooling to produce larger chips, and never leaving fine material to accumulate.