Overcoming Perceived Barriers to Using Superplastic Magnesium Alloys in the Aerospace Industry

Although the ability to achieve superlplastic ductility in magnesium alloys has been known since the 1960's there has, todate, been very little actual application of magnesium SPF. A myriad of successful applications of SPF aluminum have demonstrated the robust maturity and cost effectiveness of this remarkable technology. However concerns relating to flamability and corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys have so far constrained designers from implementing Magnesium alloys in their sheet formed designs.

     This presentation examines three specific superplastic Magnesium alloys (AZ31B, Elektron 43 and ZEK100) in terms of their formability, service properties and relative costs. Answers and practical solutions relating to flamability and corrosion performance issues will be given. These should allay any remaining concerns that designers have and open up unique opportunities for creating light weight structures from SPF magnesium alloys.