ICT equipment is providing a rapidly expanding market for magnesium alloys through the application of diecasting, thixomoulding and press forging technologies.
In recent years, digitalisation and the need for increased portability has meant that since 1996 there has been a rapid expansion in the employment of magnesium for ICT appliances such as cameras, digital cameras, projectors, portable PC's, compact and mini disc cases, cellular phones and television cabinets. Designers recognised that the properties of magnesium were ideally suited to the production of smaller and lighter components and this has led to extensive use of the diecasting and thixomoulding alloy AZ91D.
The Sony DCR-VX1000 was the first digital video camera to use magnesium. Design objectives for the DCR-VX1000 included: Reduction of noise and vibration; prevention of heat build up inside the machine; adaptability to electromagnetic interference (EMI & EMS); rigidity & strength in a lighter, smaller product; recyclability.
Magnesium offered advantages in all aspects. Although magnesium has a higher specific gravity than reinforced plastic, its strength to weight ratio and rigidity are significantly higher, making it possible to manufacture slimmer, lighter components. In addition, the heat conductivity of magnesium is several hundred times greater than plastic, giving the material excellent heat dissipation characteristics. The electromagnetic shielding and recycling characteristics of magnesium are also well suited to this type of application.
Today, magnesium is used extensively by leading manufacturers including Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, Sharp, Canon, JVC, Hitachi, Minolta, Nikon, NEC, Ericsson, IBM & Compaq. Due to its unique physical and mechanical properties, the material is now being considered for a broader range of household appliances, in an attempt to improve the performance and recyclability of these components. In 1998, Matsushita Electric Company succeeded in using magnesium for the first time in the manufacture of an all metallic 21inch television cabinet using thixomoulding technology. Processing technologies for ICT components manufactured from magnesium are also diversifying. In 1999, Sony successfully launched two models of the Sony Mini-Disc Walkman; the MZ-R90 and the MZ-E90. Both models were manufactured by press forging the magnesium wrought alloy AZ31. The magnesium components display an excellent surface finish with wall thicknesses reduced to 0.4mm-0.7mm.
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