Research Status and Prospects of Low-cost Cast Magnesium Alloys

HUA Xiru; DONG Xiwang; WU Hai; CHEN Linfeng; HUANG Xinyao; LIU Bo; YANG Lixiang; YANG Weiyi; XIAO Lv

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2025.12.008

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Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 17 ›› Issue (12) : 73-84. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2025.12.008

Advanced Aerospace Manufacturing Technology

Research Status and Prospects of Low-cost Cast Magnesium Alloys

HUA Xiru¹, DONG Xiwang^1,2, WU Hai¹, CHEN Linfeng¹, HUANG Xinyao¹, LIU Bo¹, YANG Lixiang¹, YANG Weiyi¹, XIAO Lv^1,*

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Abstract

Magnesium alloys possess characteristics such as lightweight, superior damping performance, and high specific strength, offering a bright application prospect in the field of aerospace. The improvement of mechanical properties in high-strength and high-toughness cast magnesium alloys primarily relies on alloying of rare earth elements. The raw material costs for casting production are high, and the extensive use of rare earth elements leads to complex molten material preparation processes, poor formability, and a strong tendency for defects such as cracking and shrinkage. Issues related to material formulation, preparation, and casting formability also result in significant trade-offs between the strength, toughness, forming quality, and low cost of magnesium alloy castings. With China's growing demands for lightweight, low-cost high-end equipment, developing cast magnesium alloys with a full-process cost-effective approach holds important significance. This paper reviews the current research status on low-cost cast magnesium alloys based on three aspects: alloying, melting preparation process, and formability. It also envisions future directions for achieving low-cost characteristics in cast magnesium alloys, aiming to provide references for the development of new low-cost cast magnesium alloy material compositions and supporting process technologies.

Key words

magnesium alloys / casting / low-cost / alloying / melting and blending process

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HUA Xiru, DONG Xiwang, WU Hai, CHEN Linfeng, HUANG Xinyao, LIU Bo, YANG Lixiang, YANG Weiyi, XIAO Lv. Research Status and Prospects of Low-cost Cast Magnesium Alloys[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2025, 17(12): 73-84 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2025.12.008

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