Flammable and easily corrosive? The difficulty in selecting magnesium alloy cutting fluid depends on this
May 09, 2023
Characteristics of magnesium alloys Magnesium alloy is an alloy based on magnesium and composed of other elements. Its characteristics are: low density, high strength, high elastic modulus, good heat dissipation, good shock absorption, greater ability to withstand impact loads than aluminum alloy, and good corrosion resistance to organic matter and alkali. Mainly used in industrial sectors such as aerospace, transportation equipment, chemical equipment, medical equipment, and rocket missile manufacturing. Among the practical metals, the proportion of magnesium is about 2/3 of aluminum and 1/4 of iron, so it is the most light metal among the practical metals, with high strength and rigidity. Thanks to the transformation and upgrading of China's automobile manufacturing industry and 3C product and communication component manufacturing industry, the application of magnesium alloy materials has become increasingly widespread and in-depth.
Precautions for magnesium alloy processing The use of water-based lubricating and cooling media for magnesium alloy processing has been allowed in the international metal processing industry since the mid-1990s, primarily due to the rapid development of material applications in the automotive industry and progress in the research and development of metal working fluids. The main principles and application issues of magnesium alloy process management can be summarized into five aspects: anti oxidation, hydrogen suppression, resistance to hard water, non odorous liquid, and safety assurance.
Selection of Cutting Fluid for Magnesium Alloy Cutting 1. Cooling property: During the cutting process of magnesium alloy, severe friction occurs due to the contact between the front of the tool and the surface of the magnesium alloy, resulting in high pressure and temperature. Moreover, the generated chips are relatively small. If not cooled in a timely manner at this time, cracks and low-temperature fusion welding will occur on the surface of the magnesium alloy, and even combustion will occur. Therefore, the selected cutting fluid should have good cooling performance, reduce the workpiece and surrounding temperature, reduce surface roughness, and improve workpiece accuracy. 2. Hard water resistance: During the processing of magnesium alloys, some magnesium ions will be incorporated into the cutting fluid, resulting in an increase in the content of magnesium ions in the cutting fluid and an increase in the water hardness of the fluid. A higher water hardness will greatly affect the stability of the fluid and cause soap separation and stratification on the surface of the fluid used in the water tank. Therefore, when selecting magnesium alloy cutting fluid, it is also necessary to consider its hard water resistance performance.
