Magnesium alloy

Abstract

The invention relates to the development of a corrosion-resistant magnesium secondary alloy. In the field of magnesium metallurgy, no secondary alloys have existed so far such as they exist in the case of other metals such as aluminium, for example. Magnesium alloys are corrosion-resistant if the copper, nickel and iron contents are very low. Recycling of old scrap metal with the aim of again producing structural parts has therefore not been possible up till now since too much copper and nickel are contained in this scrap metal According to the invention, this problem is solved by a new magnesium secondary alloy having been developed which, in spite of higher contents of copper, nickel, iron and silicon, possesses the same corrosion properties as pure magnesium alloys.

1 . Magnesium alloy containing 10 to 20% by mass of aluminium, 2.5 to 10% by mass of zinc, 0.1 to 2% by mass of manganese, 0.3 to 2% by mass d˜ copper or up to 2% by mass, preferably 0.001 to 2% by mass of nickel, made up essentially to 100% with magnesium, i.e., the alloy consists essentially of the above. 
   
   
       2 . Magnesium alloy according to  claim 1  characterised in that additionally, at least one of the elements of copper, nickel, cobalt, iron, silicon, zirconium and beryllium is contained therein up to a total content of 2% by mass 
   
   
       3 . Magnesium alloy according to  claim 1  consisting of 11 to 18% aluminium, preferably 12 to 16% aluminium, 3 to 8% zinc, preferably 3 to 5% zinc, 0.3 to 1.5% manganese, preferably 0.5 to 1% manganese, 0.3 to 2% copper, preferably 0.45 to 0.8% copper and, optionally, at least one of the elements of nickel, cobalt, iron, silicon, zirconium and beryllium to a total content of 1.5%, preferably a total content of up to 1%, the remainder being magnesium (% by mass respectively). 
   
   
       4 . Magnesium alloy according to  claim 1  characterised in that the nickel content amounts to at least 0.001%, preferably at least 0.003%. 
   
   
       5 . Magnesium alloy according to  claim 1  characterised in that the copper content amounts to at least 0.4%. 
   
   
       6 . Magnesium alloy according to  claim 1 , containing up to 2% of at least one of the elements of calcium and strontium. 
   
   
       7 . Magnesium alloy according to  claim 1  containing up to 2% of at least one of the elements from the group elements of rare earths, yttrium and scandium. 
   
   
       8 . Magnesium alloy according to  claim 1  containing up to 2% and preferably at least 0.1% of cerium mixed metal. 
   
   
       9 . Magnesium alloy according to  claim 1  characterised in that the beta phase exhibits a network structure. 
   
   
       10 . Magnesium alloy according to  claim 1  characterised in that it possesses a rate of corrosion of less than 1.2 mm/year measured by means of a salt spray test according to DIN 50021. 
   
   
       11 . Magnesium alloy according to  claim 1  characterised in that it is a secondary alloy which has been obtained by smelting scrap metal or impure precursor materials containing copper and/or nickel. 
   
   
       12 . Use of the magnesium alloy according to  claim 1  for the production of structural parts. 
   
   
       13 . Use of the magnesium alloy according to  claim 1  for the production of corrosion protection anodes. 
   
   
       14 . (canceled)