Magnesium 

is a chemical element having symbol of Mg and atomic number 12. It is basically a

shiny like gray solid which is having close physical resemblance to the other elements in the
second column or the alkaline earth metals of periodic table e.g Berylium, Calcium, Strontium,
Barium and Radium. All the alkaline earth metals elements have the same electron configuration
in the outer electron shell and a similar crystal structure. Magnesium is the ninth most
abundantly avaliable element in the universe and it stands as fourth most common element in the
Earth after iron, oxygen and silicon and makes upto 13% of the planet Earth mass and a large
fraction of the planet's insides layers. It is the third most abundant element that is dissolved in the
seawater, after sodium and chlorine. [1] [2]
The Magnesium elements occurs naturally only in combination with other elements, where it has
a +2 oxidation state. The free element metal can be produced artificially, and is highly reactive
though in the atmosphere it is soon coated in a thin layer of oxide which make a shield and that
partly inhibits reactivity of it. The free metal has characteristic of producing brilliant white light
when it burns. The Mg metal is now obtained mainly by electrolysis of magnesium salts and is
obtained from brine solution and used primarily as a component in aluminium magnesium alloys,
sometimes called magnalium or magnelium. Magnesium metal is less dense than aluminium, and
the alloy best use for the combination of its lightness and strength.

Magnesium

Figure#01 The periodic Table [3]

Atomic Number (Z) 12

Group group 2 Alkaline earth metal
Period period 3
Block s-Block
Electronic configuration 3s2

Electron per Shell 2,8.2

Magnesium is the eleventh most abundant element by mass in the human body and is essential to
all cells and also to the biolcatalyst which accelerate the reaction.[4]
The Magnesium compounds has medical application it is used as common aperiants, antacids e.g
the milk of magnesia Mg(OH)2 and also used to stabilize the abnormal nerve excitation or the
blood vessel spasm in such conditions as eclampsia a disorder in pregnancy.[5]

Physical Property of Mg
Magnesium is a gray white a lightweight metal having two thirds that of Aluminium.
Magnesium has Melting Point = 923 K or 1202 °F
Boiling point= 1363 K or 1994 °F
Chemistry of Mg
It get a thin layer that protect it from corrosion when slightly exposed to air, although, unlike the
heavier alkaline earth metals, it is necessary to have an oxygen free environment for storage
because magnesium is protected by a thin layer of oxide that is fairly impermeable and difficult
to remove.It reacts with water at room temperature, but more slowly than calcium and other
alkaline earth metals. When it is get submerged in water hydrogen bubbles form slowly on the
surface of the metal though if powdered it reacts much more rapidly. The reaction occurs faster
with higher temperatures Magnesium reversible reaction with water can be harnessed to store
energy and run a magnesium based engine. Magnesium reacts exothermically with most of the
acids such as the hydrochloric acid (HCl) and it produces the metal chloride and hydrogen gas
similar to the hydrochloric acid reaction with the Aluminium, and zinc.
Magnesium is a flammable element, especially when it is in powdered form or cut into thin
strips, however it is difficult to ignite it in mass or bulk form. Flame temperature of the
magnesium and magnesium alloys can reach to 3100 °C or 5610 °F.
When magnesium burns in air it produces a brilliant white light which includes ultraviolet
wavelengths. Magnesium powder was used for the illumination in the early days of photography.
[6]

The Mg powder is used in fireworks and also in marine as a sign to infrom about any danger etc
happen because it required brilliant white light.
Uses of Magnesium
Magnesium is the third-most-normally utilized primary metal, following iron and aluminium.
The fundamental uses of magnesium are all together aluminum combinations, bite the dust
projecting (alloyed with zinc) eliminating sulfur in the creation of iron and steel, and the creation
of titanium in the Kroll process. Magnesium is utilized in super-solid, lightweight materials and
compounds. For instance when injected with silicon carbide nanoparticles it has amazingly high
explicit strength.
 Figure#02 Mg alloys uses
Magnesium was one of the fundamental aviation development metals and was utilized for
German military airplane as right on time as World War I and widely for German airplane in
World War II. The Germans authored the name "Elektron" for magnesium combination a term
which is as yet utilized today. In the business aeronautic trade magnesium was for the most part
limited to motor related segments because of fire and erosion risks. As of now magnesium
compound use in aviation is expanding.[7]
The European Community runs three R&D magnesium projects in the Aerospace need of Six
Framework Program. Ongoing advancements in metallurgy and assembling have took into
account the potential for magnesium amalgams to go about as trades for aluminum and steel

compounds in specific applications.[8]

Figure# 03 Mg alloys made part in airplane [9]

Mg in Automotive Industry
The motor parts made of magnesium have been utilized on cars since the 1930s. Magnesium is
75% lighter than steel and 33 percent lighter than aluminum, however current vehicles use just
under 1% magnesium overall. Magnesium parts have been utilized wherever in a vehicle,
including the powertrain, body and terminations, suspension and undercarriage, and inside.
Numerous inside segments, for example, directing wheel armatures and controlling segment
sections are produced using magnesium where erosion isn't an issue. Probably the most well-
known magnesium applications incorporate motor squares, gearboxes and grasp lodgings, oil
dish, haggles supports, where stress can be dispersed and high loads evaded. In these
applications, magnesium gives weight decreases of 40–50 percent and 15–33 percent, contrasted
with steel and aluminum, individually.
 Mercedes-Benz utilized the composite Elektron in the bodywork of an early model
Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR; these vehicles contended in the 1955 World Sportscar
Championship including a success at the Mille Miglia, and at Le Mans where one was
associated with the 1955 Le Mans fiasco when onlookers were showered with consuming
sections of elektron.
 Porsche utilized magnesium combination outlines in the 917/053 that won Le Mans in
1971, and keeps on utilizing magnesium amalgams for its motor squares because of the
weight advantage. Volkswagen Group has used magnesium in its engine fragments for
quite a while. Mitsubishi Motors utilizes magnesium for its oar shifters.
 BMW utilized magnesium amalgam blocks in their N52 motor, including an aluminum
combination embed for the chamber dividers and cooling coats encompassed by a high-
temperature magnesium compound AJ62A. The motor was utilized worldwide
somewhere in the range of 2005 and 2011 in different 1, 3, 5, 6, and 7 arrangement
models; just as the Z4, X1, X3, and X5.
 Chevrolet utilized the magnesium composite AE44 in the 2006 Corvette Z06.

Figure#04 Magnesium alloys different part in Car [10]

Both AJ62A and AE44 are ongoing advancements in high-temperature low-creep magnesium
amalgams. The overall technique for such composites is to frame intermetallic accelerates at the
grain limits, for instance by adding calcium. New combination advancement and lower costs that
make magnesium serious with aluminum will expand the quantity of its auto applications.[11]
Mg in Electronics
 Due to low thickness and great mechanical and electrical properties, magnesium is
broadly utilized for assembling of cell phones, PC and tablet PCs, cameras, and other
electronic components.
 As an added substance specialist in ordinary charges and the creation of nodular graphite
in cast iron.
 As a diminishing specialist to isolate uranium and different metals from their salts.
 As a conciliatory (galvanic) anode to ensure boats, underground tanks, pipelines, covered
designs, and water heaters.
 As a metal this current component's chief use is as an alloying added substance to
aluminum with these aluminum-magnesium amalgams being utilized primarily for
refreshment jars, athletic gear, for example, golf clubs, fishing reels, and toxophilism
bows and arrows.
 Magnesium batteries have been marketed as essential batteries and are a functioning
subject of exploration for battery-powered batteries.

Useful compound of Mg
 Magnesium compounds, basically magnesium oxide (MgO), are utilized as an
unmanageable material in heater linings for creating iron, steel, nonferrous metals, glass,
and concrete.
 Magnesium oxide from calcination is utilized as an electrical encasing in heat proof
cables.
 Magnesium hydride is being scrutinized as an approach to store hydrogen.
 Magnesium responded with an alkyl halide gives a Grignard reagent, which is an
exceptionally helpful instrument for getting ready alcohols.
 Magnesium salts are remembered for different food sources, manures (magnesium is a
part of chlorophyll), and microorganism culture media.
 Magnesium sulfite is utilized in the assembling of paper (sulfite measure).
 Magnesium phosphate is utilized to flame resistant wood utilized in development. [12]
Alloys of Magnesium
Magnesium combinations are combinations of magnesium with different metals (called a
compound) regularly aluminum, zinc, manganese, silicon, copper, uncommon earths and
zirconium. it is the lightest metal, magnesium compounds have a hexagonal cross section
structure, which influences the crucial properties of these amalgams. Plastic distortion of the
hexagonal grid is more convoluted than in cubic latticed metals like aluminum, copper and steel
in this manner, magnesium compounds are normally utilized as cast amalgams, yet exploration
of fashioned combinations has been more broad since 2003. Cast magnesium amalgams are
utilized for a large number of present day automotive and have been utilized in some elite
vehicles pass on cast magnesium is additionally utilized for camera bodies etc.
Basically, all the business magnesium composites made in the United States contain aluminum
(3 to 13 percent) and manganese (0.1 to 0.4 percent). Numerous likewise contain zinc (0.5 to 3
percent) and some are harden able by heat treatment. All the compounds might be utilized for
more than one item structure however composites AZ63 and AZ92 are generally utilized for sand
castings.
AZ91 for bite the dust castings, and AZ92 by and large utilized for perpetual form castings
(while AZ63 and A10 are some of the time utilized in the last application also).
For forgings, AZ61 is generally utilized and here amalgam M1 is utilized where low strength is
required and AZ80 for most elevated strength.
For expulsions, a wide scope of shapes, bars, and cylinders are produced using M1 composite
where low strength gets the job done or where welding to M1 castings is arranged.
Compounds AZ31, AZ61 and AZ80 are utilized for expulsions in the request where expansion in
strength legitimizes their expanded relative expenses.[13]
Magnox whose name is a shortened form for "magnesium non-oxidizing" is 99% magnesium
and 1% aluminum, and is utilized in the cladding of fuel poles in magnox atomic reactors.
Magnesium alloys are signified by short codes (characterized in ASTM B275) which mean
inexact synthetic sytheses by weight. For instance AS41 has 4% aluminum and 1% silicon.
AZ81 is 7.5% aluminum and 0.7% zinc. In the event that aluminum is available, a manganese
segment is quite often additionally present at about 0.2% by weight which serves to improve
grain structure. if aluminum and manganese are missing, zirconium is generally present at about
0.8% for this equivalent reason.
 Figure# 05 Some basic Mg alloys and there composition [14] [15]

Figure# 06 Mg alloys uses in different sector [16]

Mg alloys in defence sector
The defense sector’s continual need to reduce equipment weight has created many opportunities
for magnesium. Furthermore, magnesium has good vibration damping capacity and low acoustic
impedance that enhances performance for many defense applications. From ballistic armor to
electronic enclosures, magnesium alloys are a lightweight alternative to aluminum in a growing
number of applications. Magnesium is as yet assuming a basic part in the worldwide safeguard
industry, as it has done since the 1940s. New exploration and advances are featuring better
approaches to improve the presentation of this material – even as composite materials become
more predominant. Defence organizations request a ton from their materials. Materials need to
withstand wear, consumption, contact and various different materials challenges, all while being
lightweight and cheap. Magnesium possesses all the necessary qualities amazingly well. New
science keeps on focusing a light on the capability of magnesium carrying new advantages and
properties.As one of the world's lightest underlying metals, magnesium amalgams bring various
advantages, including its thickness. Magnesium is less thick than other underlying metals,
similar to aluminum or steel. This empowers magnesium to be utilized as an immediate swap for
aluminum or steel, while offering huge weight reduction.
The second tempting recommendation is cost. Magnesium is the eighth most plentiful
component in the Earth's covering. Because of the accessibility of supply (and the economies of
scale rising up out of its interest), magnesium is more affordable than elective materials. While
there has been an extensive stretch of decrease in safeguard spending all around the world, a new
flood sought after makes now a farsighted chance to look at new freedoms with materials.
Thirdly, new discoveries in materials science and innovation are more capable than any other
time to help the exhibition of magnesium composites. Compounds, for example, AZ31b or AZ80
are promptly supplanting aluminum composites and prepares, which are heavier and experience
the ill effects of a more limited life expectancy than a Z-arrangement combination with a high
level covering.
Magnesium isn't yet the panacea to all materials challenges in the area. There is as yet far to go
regarding creating combinations and coatings that offer shockingly better exhibition. What we do
know, in any case, is that magnesium is being utilized shockingly – where wear, consumption,
high temperatures and ballistic obstruction would have truly forestalled its utilization.

Lightweight military frameworks

In spite of colossal advances in hardware and remote correspondences innovation, infantry in the
US military currently heft heavier gear around with them than any time in recent memory.
Official reports express that U.S. officers may convey up to 100 lbs (45.5 kilograms) worth as
standard, if not more. The assortment and greater part of fundamental gear (from batteries to
control gear, to defensive layer and caps, to different sorts of equipment) has expanded
significantly. Lightweight materials could offer surprising weight investment funds.

Lightweight powertrains
The greater part of the load in any land vehicle is in the motor. In the guard business, machines
are worked with colossal freight loads, to make them fit and appropriate for their planned
application. There are an entire host of likely advantages to utilizing magnesium in powertrains
remembering the increment for eco-friendly reach, toughness and support cost decrease.
 Figure#07 M-116 Husky Amphibious Personnel Carrier (1957-1973)
The M274, known as the Mechanical Mule, was developed in the 1950s as a light weight cargo
carrier to replace both the 1/4-ton jeep and 3/4-ton trucks in infantry and airborne infantry
battalions. The M-274 weighed only 870 lbs, and could transport up to 1000 lbs for 90- 150
miles.

Figure#08 M-274 Light Cargo, Personnel and Weapons Carrier – “Mule” (1959-1975)
New Magnesium Military Specification (2009)
 MIL-DTL-32333 (Armor Plate, Magnesium Alloy, AZ31B, Applique) is the principal US
magnesium shield plate military detail.
  MIL-DTL-32333 will furnish troops with a lighter weight answer for extreme insurance
in the field, just as improved portability and eco-friendliness for military equipment.
 MIL-DTL-32333 will urge materials designers to think out-of-the-case during the plan
stage.
 WE43 and new Elektron 675 composite are additionally under improvement in moved
sheet and plate structure, with the aim of joining these combinations inside the new shield
plate spec at the point when the ballistic testing is finished, and related to the USARL.

Figure#09 Prototype Mg-Alloy Helmet Shell

References

[1]  Housecroft, C. E.; Sharpe, A. G. (2008).  Inorganic Chemistry (3rd  ed.). Prentice Hall. pp. 305–06
[2] Anthoni, J Floor (2006). "The chemical composition of seawater". seafriends.org.nz.

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[4] "Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Magnesium". Office of Dietary Supplements, US National Institutes
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[6] Hannavy, John (2013). Encyclopedia of Nineteenth-Century Photography. Routledge. p. 84

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[9] https://magnesiumbasedalloys.yolasite.com/resources/effect-of-heat-treatment-on-mechanical-
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