JAPANESE TEAM TO MASS-PRODUCE HEAT-RESISTANT MAGNESIUM ALLOY

2009-01-14

A team from Kumamoto University, working with researchers from the private and public sector, has developed a practical way to mass-produce a type of heat-resistant magnesium alloy that is stronger than the lightweight aluminum alloy known as extra-super duraluminum.

Magnesium is only two-thirds the weight of aluminum and is abundantly available, but applications for lightweight autoparts have been hampered by the fact that the material is difficult to machine and loses strength when heated.

Kumamoto University Professor Yoshihito Kawamura discovered a magnesium alloy that is 20 per cent stronger than extra-super duraluminum and remains twice as strong as conventional heat-resistant aluminum even when heated to 250 C.

Working with the Kumamoto Technology & Industry Foundation, Mitsui Mining & Smelting, Nissan Motor and others, the university group used an on-campus facility to determine the optimal conditions for melting, mixing and cooling the magnesium alloy to mass-produce billets that are 69mm in diameter. These billets are then extruded to produce bars that are 22mm in diameter.

Now that a practical method of mass production has been established, samples of the new magnesium alloy will be shipped shortly.