Material Advantages of Magnesium

  • High Strength-to-Weight Ratio.
  • Good Stiffness-to-Weight Ratio.
  • Exceptional Damping Capacity.
  • High Impact and Dent Resistance.
  • Low Inertia/Mass.
    • Advantageous for CAFE requirements.
    • 33% Lighter than Aluminum.
  • Good Corrosion Resistance.
  • Excellent Machinability.
  • Good Resistance to Fatigue.
  • High Thermal and Electrical Conductivity.
  • Non-Magnetic.
  • A Wide Choice of Finishing Treatments and Coatings.
  • Great Opportunity for Parts Consolidation.
  • EMI/RFI Shielding.
  • Low Heat Content Means High Production Speeds.

Advantages of Thixomolding vs Die-Casting

Lower Porosity

  • 0% - 2 % Porosity for Thixomolding.
  • 2 - 5 % Porosity for Die Casting.
  • Pressure Tight Components.
  • Superior EMI/RFI Shielding.
  • Hermetic Sealing.

Is due to lack of gas entrapment and excellent packing pressure.

Closer Tolerances

  • With Precision Tooling Adjustments, Linear → +/- 0.0008 in/in
  • No Draft Features Are Possible.
  • Net Shape and Near Net Shape Parts.
  • Eliminate Machining.

Are a result of better & more consistent flow (lack of dendrites & oxide skins), and higher, consistent packing pressure, among other factors.

Thinner Walls

  • 0.035” Walls are Routine.
  • Vs. 0.070” Walls in Die Casting.
  • Lighter Parts.

Longer Tool Life

  • Many tools have a tool life of > 500,000 shots.
    • Lower long term tooling replacement costs.
  • This is due to the fact that magnesium is easy on tools to begin with (low reactivity with Fe), and the metal temperature is 1100 °F (vs. > 1250°F for die casting) = less heat checking.

Other Advantages

  • Increased Complexity & More Delicate Features.
  • Better Cosmetics.
  • Environmentally Friendly.