Abstract: A magnesium-based casting alloy having good salt-spray corrosion resistance and improved creep resistance, tensile yield strength and bolt-load retention, particularly at elevated temperatures of at least 150° C., is provided. The inventive alloy comprises, in weight percent, 2 to 9% aluminum and 0.5 to 7% strontium, with the balance being magnesium except for impurities commonly found in magnesium alloys. A method of making an oxidation-resistant alloy melt, and the alloy melt prepared by such a method, are also provided. The alloy melt comprises magnesium as a primary alloying metal, and aluminum and strontium as secondary alloying metals, while the inventive method comprises: melting the alloying metals under an atmosphere of an inert gas selected from a mixture of carbon dioxide and sulfur fluoride gas, a mixture of nitrogen and sulfur dioxide gas, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for suppressing oxidation and burning in a molten magnesium alloy which my contain beryllium, comprising covering the exposed surface of the molten alloy in a protective atmosphere and dissolving strontium into the molten alloy is disclosed. This has the benefit of reducing magnesium losses due to oxidation thereby improving efficiency of the process. There is also disclosed a magnesium casting alloy comprising from about 1% to 10% by weight of aluminum, from about 1% to 30% by weight of zinc, from about 0.004% to 0.05 % by weight of strontium and unavoidable impurities, the balance being magnesium. Finally, there is disclosed a beryllium free magnesium die casting which is essentially free of flux inclusions.

Abstract: A magnesium-based casting alloy having good salt-spray corrosion resistance and improved creep resistance, tensile yield strength and bolt-load retention, particularly at elevated temperatures of at least 150° C., is provided. The inventive alloy comprises, in weight percent, 2 to 9% aluminum and 0.5 to 7% strontium, with the balance being magnesium except for impurities commonly found in magnesium alloys.