May 14 2007
Magnesium Elektron announced today the inclusion of their latest high performance magnesium sand casting alloy, Elektron 21, into the Metallic Material Properties Development and Standardization (MMPDS) Handbook.
The USA based MMPDS handbook (formerly known as MIL-HNDBK-5) is accepted worldwide as the aerospace designers’ preeminent source for aerospace component design allowables. Inclusion of Elektron 21 (AMS 4429) alloy into the MMPDS Handbook required submission of considerable physical and mechanical property data points generated from a wide population of melts and castings. Sand foundries from all over the world produced and supplied castings into the program over a period of many years. The data was statistically analysed by Battelle for MMPDS and condensed down to a series of concise tables and graphs covering many physical and mechanical design properties including data at elevated temperatures to 482ºF (250ºC).
Elektron 21 is the first and only magnesium casting alloy to be included in the MMPDS handbook with full "A" and "B" basis design allowables. Previous magnesium alloys received entry under the statistically less rigorous “S” basis minimum property definition. “A” and “B” basis allowables provides a higher level of confidence for the designer when specifying materials and ensures Elektron 21 is qualified for aerospace material selection under new FAA guidelines for structural applications.
For Design Engineers, the “A” basis designation means at least 99 percent of the population of values is expected to equal or exceed the statistically calculated mechanical property value, with a confidence level of 95 percent. For “B” basis; at least 90 percent of the population of values is expected to equal or exceed the statistically calculated mechanical property value, with a confidence of 95 percent.
The latest revision of MMPDS-03, to be published on May 15, 2007, is available for purchase through Battelle (http://projects.battelle.org/mmpds).
30% lighter than aluminium casting alloys, Elektron 21 is an elevated temperature magnesium casting alloy combining excellent mechanical properties with good corrosion resistance and castability. These characteristics offer an attractive lightweight solution to designers in the aerospace, defence, motorsport and other high performance industries.
Graham Wardlow, Head of Sales and Marketing for Magnesium Elektron, has said that “initial market interest in Elektron 21 has been tremendous with several programs in the works”. The alloy has already seen service for ground vehicles with first flight now expected within 12 months.
Through Elektron 21, Magnesium Elektron is also expanding into other technologies, including investment casting, to enable extremely light, magnesium components to be cast into near net shape.
Magnesium Elektron is a world leader in the production of high performance magnesium alloys and products. The company began production of magnesium in 1936 at its Manchester, UK plant and subsequently developed a wide range of magnesium alloy systems and products. Elektron 21 is the latest stage in this ongoing development. The company is part of the Luxfer Group, an international manufacturer of high performance engineering materials including magnesium alloys, zirconium products, aluminium tube and high pressure lightweight gas cylinders