A Comparison of the Impact Characteristics of Several Magnesium Die Casting Alloys

Interest in ductile, tough magnesium alloys has been stimulated by designers seeking lightweight, efficient steering control structures. The simultaneous need for deformable, energy-absorbing components redirected metallurgists to consider the impact behavior of “high-ductility”, AM-series, magnesium alloys. This paper provides a comparison between the “workhorse” AZ91D magnesium alloy and the less-common, AM60B alloy. Specific application to a steering column bracket illustrates the development processes involved in selecting the appropriate alloy.