Magnesium Fasteners: Benefits And Common Uses
Magnesium is one of the most coveted items for use in various applications, one of which is the design of fasteners. You will find that magnesium hex head cap screws and magnesium socket set screws tend to have qualities that make them ideal for many uses. However, the fact that the metal is usually a bit more expensive than steel or aluminum means that it cannot be used as a substitute for either. Rather, it should be used in situations where the qualities of magnesium are needed, and where these other metals may not last long or provide the benefits that one would be looking for.
In order to make the correct decision regarding this, one would need to understand the benefits of magnesium. This makes it easy to identify the scenarios where using it would be a good idea. Some of these include:
It’s very light
One of the major benefits of magnesium is the fact that it’s very light. This makes it ideal for use in scenarios where weight has to be reduced as a priority. Examples of these include in aircraft designs, and when putting together high performance cars and bikes. In such cases, the reduced weight will translate to increased performance.
Some car makers are also considering using magnesium as the material of choice in manufacturing fasteners and other components, since it will reduce emissions by cutting down on the weight of the vehicle.
It’s very strong
Despite its weight, magnesium happens to be much stronger than other comparable metals such as aluminum or steel. For this reason, it’s ideal for use in scenarios where the fastener will be exposed to great forces. This is why magnesium fasteners are preferred for placement of airplane engines. The fact that they are very strong and light means that they can be relied upon to take on the weight of the engine even when it’s operating at full capacity.
Resistance to corrosion
Another benefit you are likely to reap from magnesium fasteners is the fact that they are resistant to corrosion. You can use them in almost any environment including in marine applications, and not have to worry about rusting. This is why magnesium fasteners are also commonly used in marine fastening, such as when putting submarines and yachts together.
They are long lasting
Another reason why magnesium fasteners are so popular is the fact that they last very long. In fact, they have been compared to aluminum and other similar fasteners, and found to have much more longevity. If you are interested in fastening a product in such a manner that you will never have to worry about natural wear and tear of the fasteners, getting ones made out of aluminum would be a great idea.
These are just some of the benefits you can reap from using magnesium fasteners. There are many more advantages in addition to the above. If you intend to buy them, you should be keen to get them from vendors with a good reputation. This is the only way to be assured that the products you are getting have these qualities.
