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What are the Unique Advantages of Lightweight Metals?

A light metal is a metal that has a relatively low density; the first seven metals in the periodic table, which include lithium, beryllium, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, potassium, and calcium, are collectively known as the “lightest metals.” In this regard, aluminum and magnesium are commonly used to reduce the weight of components and structures. Although not one of the seven lightest metals, Titanium has a relatively lower density than heavy metals; therefore, it also qualifies as a light metal and has specific industry applications.

Below, we discuss the unique properties of the most commonly used lightweight metals and their specific industry applications.

Unique Properties and Applications of Lightweight Metals

Lightweight metals are commonly used in many industrial applications because of their unique chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. Let’s take a look at some of the most commercially-utilized lightweight metals.

Lithium

Lithium is the lightest of all metals, with an atomic mass of 6.941 u and the lowest density of 0.534 g/cm³. It has a shiny appearance and is easy to cut, even with a simple knife when sufficient force is applied. It rapidly gets oxidized in free air at room temperature but behaves the opposite at higher temperatures above 572°F.

Lithium is commonly used in the following:

  • Ion batteries.
  • Glass.
  • Ceramics.
  • Enamels.
  • Cement.
  • Adhesives.
  • Continuous casting powder.
  • Industrial air conditioning.
  • Medications.
  • Lubricating greases.
  • Paints.

Lithium-aluminum alloys are also extensively used for aerospace applications.

Aluminum

Aluminum has a low density of 2.7 g/cm³ and is thus lightweight. It is three times lighter than steel yet has much higher strength-to-weight ratios. Aluminum is highly corrosion-resistant, as it forms a thin layer of oxide around its surface that prevents further air and water contact. Aluminum conductors weigh only 30% of copper conductors but have double the electrical conductivity for the same electrical resistance.

Different alloying elements such as zinc, copper, and magnesium are added to commercially pure aluminum to enhance its strength further. Aluminum alloys are available in seven different series, engineered to meet unique application requirements.

Al Series  Primary Alloying element(s) Properties Applications
1xxx series 99% pure aluminum High corrosion resistance, workability, and thermal and electrical conductivity Electrical transmission lines
2xxx series Copper Strength and toughness Aerospace applications
3xxx series Manganese Good weldability and machinability General purpose, beverage cans
4xxx series Silicon Low melting point, high ductility Welding wire, brazing fillers
5xxx series Magnesium High strength, high corrosion resistance, and excellent formability, machinability, and weldability Pressure vessels, marine applications
6xxx series Magnesium and silicon Heat treatable, highly formable, good machinability Aircraft, marine frames, semiconductor assemblies
7xxx series Zinc Strongest of all of the series, heat treatable Aircraft, aerospace, sporting equipment

Magnesium

Magnesium has the lowest mass among the alloys used for die casting. Adding different elements improves magnesium’s mechanical properties and corrosion resistance without compromising its lightweight properties. Magnesium alloys are 30% less dense compared to aluminum, with a density of 1.7-2.0 g/cm³. Magnesium excels as the lightest metallic construction material and comes with a low cost of production because of its abundant supply in nature. Therefore, modern aerospace and automotive industries extensively use magnesium alloys to achieve low-cost, lightweight metal designs.

Magnesium is commonly used in the following:

  • Sporting goods.
  • Household products.
  • Office equipment.
  • Automotive applications.
  • The biomedical industry.
  • Aircraft engine and gearbox casings.

Titanium

Next to aluminum, titanium offers an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Titanium has a higher density than aluminum but requires less material to achieve the same strength. The tensile strength of titanium alloys can go up to 160 ksi, twice that of aluminum alloys. It is as strong as steel but weighs only 56% as much. When alloyed with varying traces of other light metals, titanium achieves even greater strength and workability.

Titanium alloys can be classified into several commercially pure grades and alloy grades in terms of strength, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature service. For example, titanium bronze metal powders are used in resin casting (cold casting), decorative coatings, and powder metallurgy to achieve excellent stress relaxation resistance. Also, certain titanium alloys retain their strength and ductility even at cryogenic temperatures. For instance, Al25Zn alloys with titanium additives display excellent gamma-ray and neutron shielding properties. However, titanium alloys also come with a high price tag, which can be difficult for those who must adhere to strict budgets.

As a highly reactive metal, titanium spontaneously forms a protective hard oxide layer when it comes into contact with oxygen underwater or in free air. It offers excellent corrosion resistance to acids, alkalis, and polluted water. It is the only metal completely immune to microbiological-induced corrosion in seawater.

Titanium is commonly used in the following:

  • Jet engines.
  • Medical implants.
  • Sports equipment.
  • Bicycle frames.
  • Missiles.
  • Spacecrafts.
  • Powerplant pipes.

Challenges with Lightweight Metals

Although there are many advantages to using light metals, there are some downfalls as well. Below, we discuss some of the challenges of using lightweight metals, including machining difficulties and high material costs.

Machining Difficulty

Parts deformation is a great concern when machining light alloys. It is imperative to maintain a distortion-free workholding that gives rigidity to fragile and delicate materials. Metals like titanium require a lower cutting resistance through pulse cutting technology to avoid distortion due to high thermal loads.

High Material Cost

Using lightweight alloys in the manufacturing process increases project costs, as many of these alloys can be quite expensive. To offset these costs, it’s worth considering utilizing verified metal remnants to obtain the desired characteristics of your end product but at a lower manufacturing cost.

Material Waste

A lack of experience and high-end cutting tools can lead to generating metal waste while machining extremely light weight metals. This, in turn, will lead to over-purchasing and exceeding your production budget in the long run.

In the absence of expertise and state-of-the-art cutting equipment, it is better to partner with a local metal supplier to get your lightweight metals cut to size on time.

Precision-Cut Lightweight Metals in the Bay Area and Beyond

Industrial Metal Service has been serving as a trusted metal supplier and recycler of light alloys and a wide range of other metal alloys in the San Francisco Bay Area for more than two decades. Our wide inventory includes aluminum, steel, titanium, and copper, as well as specialty metals such as Invar. We supply new metals sourced straight from U.S. mills as well as verified metal remnants for those looking to lower their costs while maintaining high quality for their production runs. Our other services include precision metal sawing, machine teardown, and warehouse cleanup.

Choosing the right metal can sometimes be overwhelming, but we can help. Give us a call to discuss your metal requirements. We look forward to working with you.

Published by IMS Team

Industrial Metal Service has decades of experience and over 1.1 billion pounds of metal sold and recycled. Our founder, Jeff, has spent his life in the industry and prides himself on offering fair, efficient, trustworthy, knowledgeable, outstanding customer service. We offer metal salesmetal recycling pickup service, and other associated services, such as precise metal sawing, machinery teardown, and warehouse cleanupGive us a call and we’ll get it done.