Technical Papers and Discussions - Magnesium Alloys - Susceptibility of Four hlagnesium Casting Alloys to Microporosity and Its Effect on the Mechanical Properties (Metals Tech., Feb. 1946, T. P. 1955, with discussion)

TWO magnesium sand-casting alloys are commonly favored in the United States. These are referred to as H and C alloys (Dow Chemical Co.) or 4Mz65 and AM260 alloys (American Magnesium Corporation). Both are of an aluminum-zinc-manganese type. H alloy contains 6 per cent aluminum and 3 per cent zinc and is characterized by relatively good toughness. C alloy contains 9 per cent aluminum and 2 per cent zinc and is employed where high yield strength and pressure tightness are required. Examination of magnesium castings poured in Europe and England,'J however, demonstrates that H and C alloys are replaced by .%8 and AZ~I, respectively. That is, A8 reprcsents a magnesiurn alloy having superior toughness while A291 is suitable for high yield strength and pressure-tight applications. The basic difference between the .Ameri-can and European alloys is that the foreign alloys employ a somewhat higher aluminum content and less zinc than is found in H and C alloys. The mechanical properties of the alloys, when divided into high and low-aluminum groups, are quite similar, as determined from separately cast foundry-control type test bars ,In this paper the decrease of mechanical properties caused by any given amount of microporosity is measured for H, C, A8, and AZ~I alloys. The relative susceptibility of each of the four alloys to microporosity is also determined. Typical mechanical properties and nominal chemical analyses are reported in Table I. The apparent similarities between the two alloys in each group have led to considerable discussion as to the relative merits of each of the compositions.2 Popular points for comparison between the alloys have been the relative susceptibility of each of the four alloys to microporosity6 and the effect of this microporosity on their mechanical properties. It is primarily intended, in this paper, to show the