thx!
2007-07-02 04:00:04 · 6 answers · asked by formystudies6 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Magnesium has been growing in popularity as a cast metal for product components. I have worked with it in the automotive industry.
When making a metal component...there are a few common considerations. Cost, strength/weight ratio, space available.
Magnesium is relatively expensive, but extremely light.
Aluminum is less expensive and also light.
Steel is very cheap but heavy...and takes less space.
So in situations where weight is very important and enough space is available, Magnesium is a good candidate. The other factor is flamability. Magnesium can burn unlike the other metals.
A common example of Magnesium...
The skeleton of steering wheels (called an armature).
By casting magnesium, it is lighter than a traditional welded steel armature and avoids the processing associated with welding. Aluminum is used in this application as well if cost is more critical and weight is less critical.
Aluminum and Magnesium are easier to cast than steel since they melt at lower temps.
2007-07-02 04:20:50 · answer #1 · answered by Flyer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know they use it in making decorative castings, like the little hollow metal trains, and trucks and such at the little shops in your local mall. It is used in aluiminum alloys as well as the sacrificial piece of metal that is tied to iron pipes underground which oxidizes and prevents the pipes from corroding. Some fire starters use magnesium as an easy to produce source of high temperature.
2007-07-02 11:09:08 · answer #2 · answered by billgoats79 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
magnesium is a vital part of the chlorophyll molecule (the green stuff in plant leaves that allows them to turn light energy into chemical energy). It sits in the centre of the large organic molecule, and if it is removed (one way to do this is to acidify the surroundings) then the chlorophyll no longer can function. this is used in daily life as plants form the base of all food chains, and accounts for a LOT of what we eat, and all plants need magnesium to grow and store energy.
2007-07-02 11:05:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably one of the biggest is in fireworks. Mg metal burns very intensely...white light.
I know it is also mixed with Al to make Aluminum stronger.
Milk of Magnesia is Mg(OH)2 in water.
I'm sure there are many more uses as Mg is very abundant in the Earth's crust and is about 0.13% of ocean water.
2007-07-02 11:05:09 · answer #4 · answered by serf_tide 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Magnesium is strong and lightweight. Lawnboy use to make their mower decks from it for that reason, but the quit because it cost more.
2007-07-02 11:05:00 · answer #5 · answered by Ron S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is used in safety flares that you see on the highway.
Magnesium can also be used in underwater flares.
2007-07-02 11:03:45 · answer #6 · answered by reb1240 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋