“Influence of Si, Sb and Sr Additions on the Microstructure ...

qChapter 2: Literature Review
Table 2.3: Some <strong>of</strong> the magnesium alloy automobile components [12]
2.3.4 Nuclear Industry
§ l. Steering wheels
2. Cylinderlhelad covers
3. ; lnstrument panel beams
4. Sear frames
Door frames
6. Transmission housings
E 7. Grill opening reinforcements
‘ 8. Structural supports l
8. Rear deck lid/engine hood
it 10. wiser; I i
1 1. Engine blocks
12. Steering wheels
With natural uranium as a fuel, it is essential to conserve neutrons by using
materials in the reactor, which will not absorb them readily. Natural uranium plants
with operating temperatures suitable for power production essentially determine the
general reactor design <strong>and</strong> limit the canning material to magnesium <strong>and</strong> the coolant
gas to magnesium dioxide [57]. The advantages <strong>of</strong> magnesium as a canning material
over competing materials are: (a) low tendency to absorb neutrons, (b) does not alloy
with uranium, (c) adequate resistance to carbon dioxide up to the highest service
temperatures envisioned, <strong>and</strong> (d) good thermal conductivity [57].
2.3.5 Sporting <strong>and</strong> Electronic Industries
Apart from transport <strong>and</strong> missile components magnesium also finds
application in electronics <strong>and</strong> house holding items. Some <strong>of</strong> the examples are
computer housing <strong>and</strong> mobile telephone cases, where lightness, suitability for thin
wall casting <strong>and</strong> the characteristic <strong>of</strong> electromagnetic shielding are the particular
advantages [57]. Figure 2.3 shows some <strong>of</strong> such applications [58].
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