Magnesium-Zinc Alloy
Magnesium-zinc alloys are a common type of metal alloy used for its corrosion resistant properties, excellent strength, and lightweight properties. Magnesium-zinc alloys can be created in a number of ways, including mechanical alloying and physical alloying. These alloys are also known as AZ alloys, Magnesium-zinc alloys have seen use in a wide variety of industries and applications, ranging from medical implants to aerospace structures.
Magnesium is a non-ferrous metal, meaning that it does not contain iron and therefore is non-magnetic. It is the fourth most abundant element in the earths crust and is found in many rocks and is present in some soils. Magnesium is an essential element of all known living things and is most commonly found in plants. Magnesium has a silvery-white color and is extremely lightweight and strong.
Zinc is a non-ferrous metal as well, It has a metallic luster with a blue-white color. Most zinc today is produced from sulfide ores and recycled post-consumer scrap. Zinc is an essential trace element for plant and animal life and is used in many products due to its corrosion resistant properties.
Combining magnesium and zinc in an alloy creates an even stronger and more durable material. The combination of the two metals essentially creates a stronger alloy due to a larger number of bonding sites created by the combination of elements. This additional bonding increases the strength of the alloy and limits the number of sites available for corrosion. Magnesium-Zinc alloys can have a higher strength-to-weight ratio than aluminum-zinc or steel alloys making them an ideal choice for structural components and lightweight applications.
The corrosion resistance of Magnesium-zinc alloys is also noteworthy. The combination of the two metals produces a material which is ideal for outdoor applications that are exposed to harsh environmental conditions such as saltwater and higher humidity. The higher corrosion resistance properties reduce the need for additional protective coatings, simplifying the fabrication and machining process.
Magnesium-zinc alloys are primarily used in the automotive and aerospace industries, due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistant properties. They can also be used for medical implants, such as orthopedic surgery, due to their biocompatibility properties. These properties make them a great choice for a number of applications that require lightweight structures and durability.
In conclusion, Magnesium-zinc alloys are a great choice for applications that require a strong, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant material. Due to the additional bonding sites created by the combination of the two metals, the strength-to-weight ratio of Magnesium-zinc alloys is significantly higher than other metal alloys and is ideal for applications that require a lightweight, durable material. The corrosion resistant properties of Magnesium-zinc alloys also make them a great choice for outdoor applications that are exposed to harsh environmental conditions. The materials biocompatibility properties also make them a great choice for medical implants. All in all, Magnesium-zinc alloys are a great choice for applications that require a strong and lightweight material with excellent corrosion resistance.