Die casting magnesium alloys for elevated temperatures applications

The growing use of magnesium alloys for producing automotive drive train components requires the development of new alloys with improved creep properties. This paper discloses the results of a comprehensive study aimed at the development of creep resistant cost-effective die casting alloys with capability of long term operations at temperatures up to 150°C under high loads. The newly developed alloys designated as MRI 15X series exhibit die-castability, corrosion resistance, room temperature strength and short-term elevated temperature strength similar or better than those of AZ91D alloy. However, the most important fact is that the new alloys have creep resistance at temperatures of 130°C-150°C under stress of 50-85MPa significantly better than that of the commercial alloys AZ91D, AE42 and AS21. The principles of alloying and the metallurgical aspects of new alloys are presented and discussed.