Uses of Magnalium Powder

Magnalium is a magnesium-aluminum alloy that is extremely brittle. Spark effects, strobing compositions, and crackling stars are some of the most typical applications.

Magnalium powder, on the other hand, is a 50/50 mix of aluminium and magnesium. Used in the pyrotechnics and fireworks industries.

In terms of design, why is Magnalium tougher than pure aluminium?

Because aluminium and magnesium are pliable metals, they can readily be folded into shape around food.

Because aluminium has a low density, it is comparatively light in weight. Magnalium is more resistant to corrosion than aluminium alone, however it has a low density.

Magnesium Powder's Applications

Despite being more expensive than aluminium, alloys containing low quantities of magnesium are used in aviation and vehicle parts due to their high strength, low density, and greater workability.

Alloys containing around 50% magnesium are rigid and corrode readily, making them inappropriate for most engineering applications.

These alloys, nevertheless, are combustible when powdered, have a higher corrosion resistance than pure magnesium, and are more responsive than pure aluminium, therefore they are employed in pyrotechnics as a metal fuel and to create sparks.

Magnalium burns hot and produces vivid yellowish white sparks due to its high reactivity.

When burned alone, magnesium powder produces a crackling sound and is an excellent compromise between the reactivity of magnesium and the stability of aluminium.

Another advantage for pyrotechnics is the alloy's brittleness, as previously discussed.

It can be readily shattered with a hammer and then ground into an useful powder in a coffee grinder.

It can be ground into a fine powder in a ball mill in just a few hours, compared to the days it takes to grind aluminium powder.

When contrasted to aluminium powder (at similar mesh sizes), it is far more potent, and identical precautions should be followed as with magnesium.

Moisture risks and incompatibility with other compounds are two of them (boric acid and ammonium compounds).

It's also utilised to make balance beams and other light instrument components.

Danger

Magnesium powder is hazardous, and handling fine dust requires the use of a dust mask.

Mixtures containing nitrates or ammonium perchlorate, as well as magnalium, can heat up and spontaneously ignite, especially when wet.

The application of linseed oil to magnalium prevents nitrate reactions, but it does not protect the material from ammonium perchlorate.

This reaction can only be avoided by using potassium dichromate to treat the magnalium. 

This is accomplished by boiling the magnalium in a potassium dichromate solution containing 5% potassium.

Magnesium, aluminium, or magnalium: which is the strongest?

Magnalium is an aluminium alloy containing 5% magnesium and 95% aluminium. Alloys containing a modest proportion of magnesium (approximately 5%) have higher strength, resistance to corrosion, and mass than pure aluminium. These alloys are also easier to work with and weld than pure aluminium.

Final Words

So that was all there was to it when it came to magnalium power and its applications. It's worth noting that sacrificial anodes are the best sources of magnesium. 

These are used in water cylinders and for rust prevention in general. Aluminum scrap is readily available and can be melted down.

Magnalium can be manufactured at home, but it's preferable to get used to working with molten metals first, thus prior experience with aluminium (or other foundry work) is advised.