Abstract: The present invention relates to a corrosion resistant magnesium alloy which can be prepared with a justifiable expenditure of energy from scrap or impure copper containing precursors and displays a ductility such that it can be used as a casting or kneading material. The magnesium alloy contains, relative to the total weight of the magnesium alloy, 1 to 9 wt. % aluminium, 0.6 to 6 wt. % zinc, 0.1 to 2 wt. % manganese, 0 to 2 wt. % rare earth elements, 0.5 to 2 wt. % copper, wherein the weight ratio of aluminium to zinc lies in the range from 1:1 to 2:1.

Abstract: The invention relates to the development of a corrosion-resistant magnesium secondary alloy. In the field of magnesium metallurgy, no secondary alloys have existed so far such as they exist in the case of other metals such as aluminium, for example. Magnesium alloys are corrosion-resistant if the copper, nickel and iron contents are very low. Recycling of old scrap metal with the aim of again producing structural parts has therefore not been possible up till now since too much copper and nickel are contained in this scrap metal According to the invention, this problem is solved by a new magnesium secondary alloy having been developed which, in spite of higher contents of copper, nickel, iron and silicon, possesses the same corrosion properties as pure magnesium alloys.