Magnesium-based alloy composition

Abstract

Magnesium-based alloy compositions that are used in the automotive industry. The invention makes it possible to reduce the production costs of the alloy and to improve the performance characteristics thereof in order to extend the use of said alloy for the automobile industry. The magnesium-based alloy comprises aluminium, zinc, manganese and silicon wherein the constituents specified are in the following components, wt. %: Aluminium—2.5-3.4; Zinc—0.11-0.25; Manganese—0.24-0.34; Silicon—0.8-1.1; and Magnesium—remainder.

1 . A magnesium-based alloy containing aluminium, zinc, manganese and silicon, wherein the constituents specified are in the following amounts, wt. %: 
 Aluminium—2.5-3.4    Zinc—0.11-0.25    Manganese—0.24-0.34    Silicon—0.8-1.1    Magnesium—remainder.    
     
     
         2 . The alloy of  claim 1 , comprising: 
 a. a master alloy including 
 i. Al  
 ii. Zn  
 iii. Si  
 iv. Mn;  
   b. molten Mg that is heated, aged, and stirred; and    c. a Ti-containing fusion cake with a fluxing agent that is continously agitated to form an intermediate composition before cooling, soaking and casting.    
     
     
         3 . The alloy of  claim 2 , wherein the proportion of the master alloy content to magnesium is 1:(18-20).  
     
     
         4 . The alloy of  claim 2 , wherein magnesium is heated up to 720-740° C.  
     
     
         5 . The alloy of  claim 2 , wherein the ageing is carried out within 1-1.5 hrs.  
     
     
         6 . The alloy of  claim 2  wherein the master alloy is in the form of a ready-made solid master alloy.  
     
     
         7 . The alloy of  claim 2  wherein the Al in the master alloy is in the amount of 2.5-3.4 wt. %.  
     
     
         8 . The alloy of  claim 2  wherein the master alloy comprises Si in the amount of 0.8-1.1 wt. %, the Si forming a metallurgically stable phase of Mg 2 Si that is precipitated at grain boundaries, thereby improving the mechanical properties of the alloy.  
     
     
         9 . The alloy of  claim 2  wherein the master alloy comprises Zn in the amount of 0.11-0.25 wt. % for fluidity.  
     
     
         10 . The alloy of  claim 2  wherein the master alloy comprises Mn in the amount of 0.24-0.34 wt. % for corrosion resistance.  
     
     
         11 . The alloy of  claim 2  wherein the master alloy comprises a ready-made solid master alloy in a proportion to Mg of 1:(18-20) for the recovery of additives and reducing the loss of chemicals.  
     
     
         12 . The alloy of  claim 2  wherein respective constituents following heating to 720-740° C., are recovered at these levels: Al (98.8-100%); Mn (68.2-71.1%); Si (89.3-97.4%); and Zn (85.9-94.4%).  
     
     
         13 . The alloy of  claim 2  wherein the master alloy comprises the following components, wt. %: 
 Mn—6.0-9.0    Si—24.0-28.0    Zn—2.0-3.0    an inclusion selected from a group consisting of Fe 0.4; Ni 0.005; Cu 0.1;    Ti 0.1 and combinations thereof; and    Al—remainder.    
     
     
         14 . A magnesium-based alloy comprising, in wt. %: 
 aluminum—2.5-3.4    zinc≧0.18    manganese ≧ to 0.23    silicon—0.8-1.3    beryllium—0.0008-0.0012    iron—≧0.003    magnesium—remainder    
     
     
         15 . A master alloy comprising in wt. %: 
 Manganese—6.0 -9.0    Silicon—24.0-28.0    Zinc—2.0-3.0    an inclusion comprising:    Iron—0.4    Nickel—0.005    Copper—0.1 &    Titanium—0.1.    
     
     
         16 . The master alloy composition of  claim 15  wherein the wt. % ratio of master alloy to magnesium is about 1:(18-20).