Properties of Die Cast Magnesium Alloys of Varying Aluminum Content

Test specimens of magnesium alloys with two, five, six and nine weight percent aluminum were produced by high pressure die casting. The results of room temperature mechanical tests were combined with data from prior investigations to provide property trends as a function of aluminum content. The strength and ductility properties of these alloys generally show opposite dependencies with a change in the aluminum content. Design engineers must therefore make material selection decisions based upon the best balance of properties available for the intended application.