Novel Magnesium Based Materials: Are They Reliable Drone Construction Materials? A Mini Review

Abstract

Novel magnesium-based materials are ideal candidates for use in future aviation vehicles because they are extremely light and can therefore significantly increase the range of these vehicles. They show very good castability, are easy to machine and can be shaped into profiles or forgings to be used as components for next generation aerial vehicle construction. In the case of a large number of identical components, high-pressure die casting of magnesium alloys is clearly superior to high-pressure die casting of aluminum alloys. This is due to the lower solubility of iron in magnesium and thus tool/casting life is significantly longer. In addition, the die filling times for magnesium high-pressure die casting are approximately 30% shorter. This is due to the lower density: aluminum alloys are approximately 50% heavier than magnesium alloys, which is a significant disadvantage for aluminum alloys especially in the aerospace industry. There are cost-effective novel die casting alloys, besides AZ91 or AM50/60 such as DieMag633 or MRI230D, which show very good specific strength at room and elevated temperatures. In the case of magnesium-based wrought alloys, the choice is smaller, a typical representative of these materials is AZ31, but some new alloys based on Mg-Zn-Ca are currently being developed which show improved formability. However, magnesium alloys are susceptible to environmental influences, which can be eliminated by suitable coatings. Novel corrosion protection concepts for classical aerial vehicles currently under development might suitable but may need adaption to the construction constraints or to vehicle dependent exposure scenarios. Within this mini-review a paradigm change due to utilization of new magnesium materials as drone construction material is briefly introduced and future fields of applications within next-generation aerial vehicles, manned or unmanned, are discussed. Possible research topics will be addressed.

Review of Magnesium Wheel Types and Methods of Their Manufacture

“…For example, the Mavic Air alloy, containing 90% Mg, 9% Al, and 1% Zn, designated AZ91D, is characterized by its low density (1.7 g/cm 3 ), which makes it one of the lightest construction metals in the world. These features make the alloy perfect for drone application, offering a balance between durability and mass [29,30]. In the military industry, magnesium-based materials are frequently employed in the components of wheels, radar antennas, radar bases, covers, housing, and missile elements (Figure 8) [31].…”

Unmanned aerial vehicles in the construction industry - Towards a protocol for safe preparation and flight of drones

“…In addition to the above-mentioned standard types of UAV, new and innovative solutions are being designed, which often combine the benefits of both types. Additionally, when designing and constructing new structures, the following options are taken into account: the use of materials that have not been used so far (Höche et al, 2021), the possibility of adding additional devices (Sagrera et al, 2015), or the possibility of modifying existing structures by adding additional rotors (Hu and Lanzon, 2018). Innovative materials and techniques, such as elements made with the use of 3D printing technology (Szywalski and Waindok, 2020), are used for their construction.…”

Corrosion and Protection of Magnesium Alloys: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

“…In the 21st century, with the improvement and development of technological productivity, researchers gradually realized the importance of environmental protection and proper utilization of resources [1][2][3]. There is a great emphasis on the cleanliness of energy, the reusability of resources, and lightweight and structural integration in the modern manufacturing industry.…”