See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/250351627

Why Choose Magnesium?

Article  in  Materials Science Forum · April 2009

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.618-619.3

CITATIONS READS

5 10,051

1 author:

Trevor Bruce Abbott

Magontec / RMIT / Monash University
72 PUBLICATIONS   1,105 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Statistical mechanical modelling View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Trevor Bruce Abbott on 30 August 2014.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Materials Science Forum Vols. 618-619 (2009) pp 3-6
Online available since 2009/Apr/17 at www.scientific.net
© (2009) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland
doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.618-619.3

Why Choose Magnesium?

Trevor Abbotta

Advanced Magnesium Limited, Suite 5, Level 4, 350 George St, Sydney,

NSW, 2000, Australia
a
trevor.abbott@am-technologies.com.au
Keywords: magnesium, weight reduction, electronics, transportation

Abstract
The lightness of magnesium makes it an attractive material for applications where weight reduction
is critical, in particular, consumer electronics and transportation industries. Despite its advantages
as a material the use of magnesium worldwide is a tiny fraction of other materials (steel, plastic,
aluminium). Amongst the reasons for this, the metal’s price has not been a significant factor until
recently. Throughout the period of 2001-2006, magnesium has been cheaper than both aluminium
and zinc on a volumetric basis.
An issue that magnesium presently faces is a perceived insecurity of supply. 77% of primary
magnesium is produced within China and the price has seen some enormous shifts. In late 2005 the
magnesium price (primary FOB China) was about 1500USD/t. By the third quarter of 2008 it had
risen to over 6000USD/t only to fall in recent month to below 3000USD/t.
The current pricing levels of around 3000USD/t could prove beneficial if maintained over a long
period, if it led to the establishment of new producers and a diversification of the supply base.

Introduction
The low density of magnesium is an attractive attribute for applications where weight reduction is
important. Many papers on magnesium alloys begin by referring to magnesium’s density being two
thirds that of aluminium and one quarter that of steel. While true, these statements are slightly
misleading as the elastic modulus and strengths of these metals are different. Table 1 shows a
comparison of the densities and stiffnesses of these metals. Figure 1 illustrates the geometry and
equations used to calculate rigidity in Table 1.
In some instances, such as simple tension, the advantage provided by lower density is annulled by
the lower elastic modulus of magnesium. In other situations, such as bending stiffness, a significant
advantage exists.
The second key attribute of magnesium alloys relates to their high pressure die casting properties.
Magnesium alloys are used widely in consumer electronics to produce small and highly intricate
components. Aluminium is largely unsuitable for these applications due to its degrading effects on
steel dies, its poorer die filling behavior and its higher weight. Zinc alloys have superior die casting
properties to magnesium but the higher density makes zinc unacceptable for most consumer
electronics components.
The other main competitor is injection molded plastic. The choice between magnesium and plastic
depends on many factors, including price, stiffness and the need for (or the need for the absence of)
high electrical conductivity.

All rights reserved. No part of contents of this paper may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of TTP,
www.ttp.net. (ID: 130.194.20.173, Monash University Library, Clayton, Australia-30/08/14,03:41:36)
4 Light Metals Technology 2009

Table 1. Comparison of density and stiffness of magnesium, aluminium and iron. The
columns headed “Constant Rigidity” refer to the thicknesses and weights of beams with the
same flexural rigidity as an iron beam. The thicknesses and weights are given as a percentage
of an iron beam of equivalent rigidity. Figure 1 illustrates the geometry and equations used to
calculate rigidity.

Density (ρ) Modulus (E) Constant Rigidity

E/ρ
g/cm3 GPa Thickness Weight
Magnesium 1.74 45 26 167% 37%
Aluminium 2.70 70 26 144% 50%
Iron 7.87 211 27 100% 100%

Figure 1. Equations for flexural rigidity and beam bending.

Despite the advantages, the use of magnesium alloy is small when compared to steel, plastic and
aluminium. Figure 2 compares the worldwide annual consumption of these materials. The
consumption of magnesium is so much smaller than the other materials that a logarithmic scale is
required to display them together.
In this paper some of the obstacles limiting the greater use of magnesium are discussed.

Figure 2. Comparison of worldwide consumption of steel [1], plastic [2], aluminium [3] and
magnesium [4]. The inset shows the same data as in the main chart but with a logarithmic
scaling of the consumption axis.
Price
Material costs are extremely important to businesses. Most manufacturers are under constant
pressure to reduce costs and it is difficult to justify the use of a material if a cheaper alternative
exists. Figure 3 shows the price history of magnesium metal (FOB China) [5] relative to that of
 Materials Science Forum Vols. 618-619 5

aluminium and zinc since 2001. For much of this time magnesium has been cheaper than
aluminium and zinc on a volumetric basis while on a weight basis the prices of the three metals
have been similar. High price has not been a deterrent to the use of magnesium for much of the
period since 2001. The exception to this has been the later part of 2008 where the magnesium price
was abnormally high.
While material costs are important the experience of an extended period of low prices shows that
low price alone is insufficient to create widespread adoption of magnesium.

Figure 3. Price of magnesium metal relative to zinc and aluminium. Aluminium and zinc
price data from LME [5]. Magnesium price data from Asian Metal [6].
Stability of Supply
In 2007 China accounted for 77% of magnesium production and 30% of consumption [4]. Figure 4
shows the magnesium metal price history since the start of 2001 [5,6]. Up to the end of 2005
magnesium prices were mostly below 2000USD/t and at times less than 1500USD/t. During this
time many western magnesium projects were stopped, including the AMC plant in Queensland. In
2006 and 2007 the magnesium price steadily rose. Factors contributing to this included the
imposition of export duties by the Chinese government, stricter environmental and labour
regulations applied within China and a decrease in western competition.
In 2008 the price rose further to reach levels above 6000USD/t before falling rapidly. This final
price surge was influenced by the Beijing Olympics. Much of the magnesium production occurs in
Shaanxi province. Due to its proximity to Beijing the mining of dolomite (the main raw material
for magnesium production) was severely restricted in order to reduce air pollution. These
restrictions were in place for several months leading up to and during the Olympic Games [7].
Finally in late 2008 the price crashed to below 3000USD/t. This was caused by a combination of
businesses moving away from magnesium due to the high prices, the increase in supply due to the
lifting of mining restrictions after the Olympics and the global economic downturn.
The lack of diversity of suppliers and the high price volatility is a strong disincentive for greater use
of magnesium.
6 Light Metals Technology 2009

Figure 4. Price history of zinc, aluminium and magnesium.

The Future
Despite difficulties the magnesium market size is growing. In 2002 world primary production
totalled 485,000 tons. By 2007 this figure had increased to 860,000 tons [4]. Further growth would
be greatly facilitated by price stability. Currently the primary magnesium price is around
3000USD/t which is half the price level reached a few months earlier. The current price level is
one, which if maintained, could encourage new entrants into metal production and provide more
security to magnesium consumers. At the same time it is not so high as to drive away potential
applications.
Growth will occur most in applications were magnesium’s natural advantages are greatest. First
and foremost are in areas where weight reduction is critical, namely consumer electronics and
transportation industries.

References
[1] World Steel Association: www.worldsteel.org
[2] Plastics News: www.plasticsnews.com
[3] Alunet International: www.alunet.net
[4] Roskill Information Services, “The Economics of Magnesium Metal”, 10th Edition, 2008.
[5] London Metal Exchange: www.lme.co.uk
[6] Asian Metal: www.asianmetal.com
[7] Private communications with Chinese magnesium industry participants
 Light Metals Technology 2009
10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.618-619

Why Choose Magnesium?

10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.618-619.3

View publication stats