Abstract
Strong growth in demand for magnesium automotive die cast components is driving growth in the magnesium industry. However, wrought alloy direct chill (DC) cast products are now also receiving some attention. It is instructive to compare the DC casting of magnesium and aluminium. We briefly examine the current state of magnesium DC castings’ production, product mix, industry characteristics and costs. The basic properties of the two metals and the status of DC technology are compared. The fact that the tonnage of aluminium DC castings is about one hundred times that of magnesium accounts largely for the relatively small research and development effort in magnesium DC casting compared to aluminium. Improvement of magnesium DC casting is however, taking place, including development of hot top moulds, safety systems and horizontal direct chill casting. The good news for magnesium casters is that there is much know how being generated and published on aluminium DC casting which can be applied to magnesium. Conversely some of the technology generated for magnesium may be applicable to casting of high magnesium aluminium alloys. Mutual awareness between the two industries will be beneficial to both.
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