Magnesium Alloys and Their Structural Application

The combination of light weight with the improved mechanical properties of the newer magnesium alloys makes these materials of increasing interest to the civil engineer. Since 1933 or 1934, production costs have been reduced, and properties have improved to the point where the alloys are finding many successful applications formerly considered impractical for the material. In this period a number of important applications have developed in the transportation field. As might be expected, because of the necessity for light weight, the airplane industry was the first to adopt these alloys in all types of service. Sand castings of magnesium alloys are used universally in airplane motor and starter castings, in landing wheels and brakes, and as brackets and fittings in the airplane structure.