Alloy development, processing and applications in magnesium lithium alloys

Among the light metal alloys, magnesium is the lightest structural material with a density of 1.74g/cm(3) and many attractive physical and mechanical properties combined with processing advantages. Therefore, it represents a very attractive material for a large amount of applications from main user automotive industry up to other industry fields like sport, robotic and ele ctronic industry. But the usage of magnesium alloys in more complex applica tions is limited by insufficient properties regarding the ductility, corros ion and creep resistance. Additionally, the high reactivity of magnesium al loys leads to an increased tendency of contamination. In this regard, the p aper deals with general aspects of magnesium alloy development and casting as well as some other production technologies for magnesium alloys with som e general aspects f magnesium alloy development and casting as well as some other production technologies for magnesium alloys with improved propertie s and for several applications. An emphasis is put on new magnesium-lithium alloy systems with lower density, improved ductility and corrosion resista nce. The basic component of metallurgical processing is a magnesium-suitabl e furnace system which is designed modularly with universal, adaptable comp onents and automatic pressure metering technology. It is used in a wide ran ge of casting processes like chill casting, cold chamber die casting, conti nuous casting and break-mould casting. Further applications are methods of rapid solidification technology. In the powder metallurgy and spray casting a microstructure with fine and homogeneous phase distribution is generated . Based on the represented processing technology new magnesium alloy system s with lower density, improved ductility and corrosion resistance will be s hown. A special peculiarity of magnesium alloys is their application in the medicine sector where they are used as implant materials for surgery.