Magnalium automobile parts - is it a true and reliable source ?

[50AE]

I've heard some saying that some automobile parts are made from magnalium, like engine blocks, clutches, gearboxes and others. But I have some doubts. For example, one of my teachers told me that some of them are made from a shiny and brittle alloy, made from zinc and aluminium, which can be mistaken for magnalium

 

If there is really magnalium in the scrap, is it suitable for pyro uses ? I'm not sure if they use 50:50 alloy, and why not 60:40 for better corrosion resistance.

 

I ask this, because I want to make my own MgAl alloy, and some fellows think that it's useless.

[FrankRizzo]

Some car parts are indeed ~95% magnesium, as are some chainsaw motor castings, and old Volkswagen engine blocks. They would be useless for pyro use in their "car part" form, but would make an excellent magnalium if melted and mixed with a proper percentage of aluminum.

[a_bab]

As I've been interested in this matter, I can tell you that the Audi A4 and 6 models, plus the VW Passat all have up to 16 kg of Mg alloy. More details here: http://www.mff.cuni.cz/veda/konference/wds...12_Zaludova.pdf Edited May 12, 2009 by a_bab

[swervedriver]

I'd love to find a local source for magnesium. I spent a couple of hours yesterday trying to find some. I'm in the "yacht capitol of the world" so I figured magnesium sacrificial anodes would be easy to find at one of the many boating suppliers here. Nope. Saltwater uses zinc, and freshwater uses aluminum. I also went to 2 metal scrap yards, their response was "we don't take magnesium, it's worthless". One guy said he had an 800 pound bail of it a year and a half ago and couldn't get rid of it. He said occasionally people come in with magnesium ladders, and he turns them away. Go figure, I thought magnesium was valuable. A smallish magnesium concrete bull float is about $50 at home depot, it might weigh 5 lbs, if that... bummer, 800 pounds! lol

[Bonny]

Some car parts are indeed ~95% magnesium, as are some chainsaw motor castings,

 

 

I was just fixing a buddy's chainsaw yesterday, and was debating scratching the nice light casing and testing with some vinegar...maybe I "won't be able" to repair it.

[Arthur]

Magnesium is available in the UK as sacrificial anodes in some domestic hot water systems. Some parts of cars are a magnesium alloy BUT a strong alloy not magnalium. Look up the metalurgy of Mg alloys to see what the other components of the alloy are!

[psyco_1322]

Ask at the local recycling yard if they have any Mg, if they truly do recycle and aren't just junkers, they should be able to point you in the right direction. My place has these inner wheel hemi things from military vehicles. So if the tire goes flat, they can drive on them. They are solid magnesium and weigh about 8 pounds each, so each tire has ~16 lbs of Mg in them. They are not in the tires btw, just saying you might not look at Humvee's the same again.

[50AE]

Alright, I'll search for an old VW block and cut some. Can you suggest me any easy way to know if it's magnesium on place ?

 

Most of you maybe don't know the russian old cars like Moskvich, Lada or Zaporojech . A guy told me that a Moskvich clutch has 60:40 AlMg, but now I prefer making my own, 50:50

[Ventsi]

Bring a small bottle/vial filled with vinegar ,clean off a part of your "Mg" of it with a rag or something like that and put a few drops of vinegar on it.

If its Mg it will fizzle up nicely .

 

 

Edit:

Yeah my granpa used to drive a Moskvich and had a Lada that was all busted up,real ugly looking cars!

If the 60:40 thing is true give me a call next time i swing by BG ill dismantle one of his old cars.

Edited May 12, 2009 by Ventsi

[50AE]

Sadly, I lost contact with this guy, so I can't be really sure if his words are true. You can try, but I don't guarantee. Better make your own magnalium.