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Recent growth in automotive applications of magnesium die cast alloys has made the refining and recycling of magnesium scrap a key issue for the automotive and magnesium industries, if growth is to continue. Today, with only a few exceptions, commercially refined and recycled alloy is produced using a variety of flux-based processes. However, fluxless refining, has been the focus of growing interest, particularly for the in-house refining of scrap by the die cast producers. This paper summarizes the results of a study conducted to better understand the behavior of non-metallic contaminants in scrap melts and the requirements for their separation, using argon sparging. Brightness measurements were used to experimentally determine the distribution of non-metallic contaminants within scrap melts both before and after argon treatment.

The effect of non-metallic inclusions (NMIs) on the properties of die cast magnesium was investigated. NMI content was quantified by a newly developed light reflectance technique. The mechanical properties of optimized AM60B test bars were found to decrease at high inclusion levels. Low inclusion levels did not statistically reduce the mechanical properties of AM60B as compared to virgin metal. Argon-refined AM60B displayed mechanical properties that were indistinguishable from virgin alloy. AZ91D test plates were die cast at various cleanliness levels. After salt spray testing, it was found that the surface quality of the castings was slightly degraded at high NMI levels. The general corrosion performance was also affected, but paint adhesion was relatively unaffected. At high NMI levels, the corrosion performance was still better than 380 A. Machinability of the AZ91D test plates was quantified by measuring tool wear and cutting forces.

The magnesium alloy AE42 (nominally a 4 % aluminum, 2 % rare earth alloy of magnesium) is a developmental die cast alloy with good strength and creep resistance at elevated temperatures. Standard salt spray corrosion tests have been used with controlled purity AE42 die castings to define the critical iron, nickel and copper contaminant levels below which excellent corrosion performance can be obtained. As previously observed with the magnesium alloys AZ91, AM60, and AS41, the critical iron content is dependent upon the manganese content of the alloy. While the iron:manganese tolerance for AE42 is about the same as that of AM60, the tolerance for the nickel and copper contaminants is greater than that of AZ91. When each of these contaminants is less than the critical level, the salt spray performance was equal to or better than die cast 380 aluminum and cold rolled steel.