3.1.2 Aerospace sector

Historically (in the 1950s), magnesium was a dominant material in the aviation industry as a structural material. In fact, an aircraft (XR56) with all-magnesium was

#### Figure 2.

Potential applications of Mg in (a) aerospace sector in the form of passenger seats (image taken from [25]); (b) biomedical sector where biodegradable magnesium alloy products can be used as implants, assist in fracture fixation, etc. (image taken from [26]); (c) automobile applications (image extracted from [27]); and (d) electronic applications such as mobile handset panels and casings (image used from [28]).

variety of applications. These applications of magnesium are primarily classified into three categories: (i) structural, (ii) nonstructural, and (iii) miscellaneous

Metal Density (g/cc) Price/kg (US\$) (in 2016) [4]

Magnesium 1.738 4.71 Aluminum 2.7 2.13 Titanium 4.506 8 Steel 7.75–8.05 0.64

Magnesium - The Wonder Element for Engineering/Biomedical Applications

applications. They are discussed briefly in this chapter.

Figure 1.

Table 1.

2

Factsheet of magnesium.

Price of the most commonly used metals.

built by Northrop in 1943 during the World War period, similar to the Lockheed F-80C in 1950 [12]. With the "traditional" challenges such as reactivity and perceived flammability, magnesium usage was limited. Ever since upliftment of the ban on magnesium by FAA [13], there is an ever-increasing demand for highperformance magnesium alloys for reducing weight in aircraft structures such as interior components, fuselage structures, gearboxes, aero engine frames, helicopter transmissions, covers and components, flight control systems, electronic housings, and aircraft wheels [14]. With advancement in the alloy design and material development, for the abovementioned as well as other applications in both commercial and military aircrafts, advanced higher-performance magnesium alloys and composites that are also ignition-resistant or ignition proof and corrosion-resistant suit the requirement of the aviation industries and can help in achieving sustainability and protecting the environment [8, 15–17].

their good mechanical properties, castability, and superior corrosion resistance,

Magnesium acts as a reducing agent in the production of titanium, beryllium,

nonstructural market. In applications related to organic chemistry, magnesium is also used in industrial synthesis such as the Grignard reaction. Particularly, Mg is

Sulfur (0.025–0.03% S) is damaging to steel and causes brittleness. Hence, desulfurization of steel is done by exploiting the high affinity exhibited by

Sacrificial anode [35] High-resistivity environment that have high current output per unit weight

increased as the number of leaks decrease drastically

Hydrogen storage [38] Hydrogen is a plentiful yet largely untapped potential energy source.

Alkaline water Mg alkaline water has a pH of 8.5–10 (vs. pH of water = 7–7.4). Pure Mg, Mg-

Fire starter Due to its high flammability in fine or powdered forms, it is an ideal choice

Al is linked to Alzheimer's disease

and inherent negative potential are particularly suitable for magnesium anodes. Some applications include underground pipelines, domestic water heaters, storage tanks, and other similar environments, where the galvanic corrosion of steel can be prevented by employing magnesium anodes. With suppressing the corrosion, the safety and resource conservation can be

A range of Mg batteries are under development in recent years for various applications. One such application includes that of military applications where magnesium is used in reserve cell batteries and dry cells. Magnesium batteries have (i) long shelf life (up to 10 years), (ii) high cell voltage and wide voltage range, (iii) high power density capacity, and (iv) lightweight in

Hydrogen fuel cell prototype engines are 3–4 times more efficient than internal combustion engines. 10 kg of Mg can store roughly 0.67 kg of hydrogen. Mg can absorb about 7.6 wt. % hydrogen, which makes it one of the largest capacities among metal hydride alloys. Recently reported airstable magnesium nanocomposites assist in nanostructuring, resulting in rapid storage kinetics by eliminating the need for usage of expensive heavier

FRH is an exothermic chemical heater activated by water, applied to heat the food (especially in meal, ready-to-eat (MREs)). Ration heat is generated in an oxidation–reduction reaction which involves the transfer of electrons. US military specifications for the heater require it to be capable of raising the temperature of an 8-ounce (226.8 g) entree by 100°F (38°C) in 12 minutes and that it has no visible flame. The ration heater typically contains finely powdered magnesium metal, alloyed with a small amount of iron, and table salt. A little amount of water is to be used to activate the reaction, and the reaction proceeds when the boiling point of water is quickly reached [40]

Zn alloy, and Mg-Ca alloy are potential materials used. Al is not to be used as

in this application. The fire starter is composed of an Mg block and flint stone. Typical applications include military, leisure, and emergency [41]

zirconium, uranium, and hafnium. It is the second largest use of Mg in a

Minor applications Advantages of using magnesium and other remarks

their inactivated state

metal catalysts

Miscellaneous applications of magnesium-based materials.

owing to the presence of elevated magnesium content [30].

Introductory Chapter: An Insight into Fascinating Potential of Magnesium

important for production of Ti sponges [31].

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.90866

3.2.2 Refining titanium

3.2.3 Steel desulfurization

Magnesium batteries

Flameless ration heater

(FRH) [39]

Table 2.

5

[36, 37]

#### 3.1.3 Electronic sector

In consumer electronic industries, due to the shortcomings of plastics that do not shield the electromagnetic radiations, have poor stiffness, and generate enormous scrap of electronic equipment, there is a need for nontoxic lightweight materials that can match the density of the commonly used plastics and perform better than that of plastics. These attributes are the reason that makes magnesium-based materials very lucrative as magnesium can be remelted, reused, and recycled. Its electromagnetic shielding capacity (65–66 in 0.5–13 GHz frequency range) is the same or even superior to that of aluminum alloys (59–65 in 0.5–13 GHz frequency range) [18–20]. Magnesium is currently one of the most sought-after materials for making the casings, frames, panels, and other parts in the electronic items such as mobile phones, laptops, cameras, etc. [21].

#### 3.1.4 Biomedical sector

Mg is the fourth most abundant ion in the human body and assists in several functions like aiding bone health and multiple metabolic processes in the body besides being antibacterial and attracts attention as an excellent biomaterial [22]. Since magnesium is both biocompatible and biodegradable, it is the best fit to be used in the body as a nonpermanent biodegradable implant as it (i) reduces patient trauma; (ii) requires no revision surgery; (iii) reduces doctor's time; and (iv) reduces medical costs [23]. Further, it is also required by the body as it is instrumental for about 300 enzyme systems and assists in energy production and synthesis of nucleic acid in the body [24]. Further, there is good evidence for the use of supplemental Mg in various cardiac arrythmias, preeclampsia/eclampsia, migraine headache, diabetes and related complications, metabolic syndrome, premenstrual syndrome, asthma, and hyperlipidemia [24], indicating the significance of magnesium in human bodies and biomedical sectors.

#### 3.2 Nonstructural applications

#### 3.2.1 Alloying element to aluminum

On par with its direct structural applications, magnesium is used primarily as an alloying element to Al (about 40% of magnesium produced globally is used for alloying with aluminum). Magnesium is alloyed with aluminum up to 30% catering to suit a range of applications including pyrotechnics [29]. Some applications of Al-Mg alloys are as sheets in automobile applications and shipping industry due to

Introductory Chapter: An Insight into Fascinating Potential of Magnesium DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.90866

their good mechanical properties, castability, and superior corrosion resistance, owing to the presence of elevated magnesium content [30].
