Magnesium Alloy vs. Titanium

[soros151]

Hi, sorry for the silly question. What are the benefits of using Magnesium over Titanium in the automotive world? Which one would be better economicaly? Which one is easier to work with?

 

[MikeHalloran]

Magnesium is cheaper and _much_ easier to fabricate.




Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[TVP]

As MikeHalloran already mentioned, magnesium is considerably cheaper: Mg costs ~ $2/kg in bulk, while Ti varies anywhere from ~ $15-100/kg. Almost all magnesium automotive applications are high pressure die castings, which is a low-cost, high productivity process. Almost all titanium parts in the world are made by high-cost, low productivity processes: machining, forging on hydraulic presses, etc.

 

[soros151]

Are magnesium sheets easy to weld? Like if welding a complete floor on a car. Sorry for all the dumb questions.

 

[MikeHalloran]

I think it takes special processes to weld magnesium without _setting_it_on_fire_.

Same for titanium.





Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[arunmrao]

Mg or Ti are highly reactive metals and it is best advised for a hobbyist to stay away from them. Explosions have taken place at facilities even under closely controlled and monitored conditions.

" All that is necessary for triumph of evil is that good men do nothing".
Edmund Burke

 

[soros151]

I guess I should just avoid both of them then. Even more when my welding technique is a not so polished one. The things is I saw this article of a high heat resistant magnesium material called AM-SC1. It was used to develope a Diesel Three Cylinder Engine. I thought that because it was high heat resistant maybe it could be welded. Seems I'm mistaken.

 

[CoryPad]

That alloy is a sand casting alloy, not a wrought alloy for producing sheet.

Regards,

Cory

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[soros151]

Thanks!