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Precautions for machining magnesium alloy parts

November 12, 2022

Unsafe factors during machining
In the process of machining magnesium alloys, the chips and fine powders generated are subject to the risk of combustion or explosion.
During the processing of magnesium alloy, the factors influencing the chip temperature rise to the flash point or combustion are as follows:

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a. The relationship between machining speed and cutting speed. The generation of cutting heat increases in proportion to the cutting speed. The higher the relative temperature, the greater the possibility of ignition.
b. Other factors. The feed rate or cutting amount is too small; The pause time during processing is too long; The back angle and chip space of the tool are too small; High cutting speed is adopted without using cutting fluid; Sparks may occur when the tool collides with the dissimilar metal core lining embedded in the casting; Magnesium chips accumulate around or under the machine tool.
Safe operation procedures for machining
a. The cutting tools shall be kept sharp, and large back angle and clearance angle shall be grinded; It is not allowed to use blunt, chip stuck or broken tools.
b. Generally, large feed rate shall be used for processing as far as possible, and small feed rate shall be avoided to produce chips with large thickness.

c. Do not let the tool stop on the workpiece halfway.
d. Use mineral oil coolant to reduce temperature drop when using micro cutting amount.
e. If there is steel core lining in magnesium alloy parts, it is necessary to avoid sparks caused by collision with the tool.
f. Keep the environment tidy and clean.
g. It is strictly prohibited to smoke, make fire, electric welding and other operations with fire source in the processing work area.

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3. Safety problems in grinding
Magnesium powder is easy to burn and will cause explosion when suspended in air.
Therefore, the following precautions must be taken when grinding magnesium alloy parts:
a. There must be a grinder specially used for processing magnesium alloy parts. Thoroughly clean the vacuum cleaner before dressing the grinding wheel.

b. When reworking and grinding the surface of magnesium alloy parts that have been etched and washed with chromate, sparks may be caused, so be careful not to allow dust to gather nearby.
c. The grinding equipment operators shall use smooth hats, smooth gloves and smooth flame retardant clothing without pockets and cuffs. The apron or protective clothing used shall be clean and easy to take off.
d. Magnesium scraps shall be cleaned in time when they are stored, and Z-long storage time limit shall be set.
e. Sufficient yellow sand shall be stored in the working area to prevent fire fighting.


4. Treatment of magnesium chips and fine powder
Scraps must be stored separately and cannot be exposed to rain
The magnesium waste generated during processing shall be packed in barrels and soaked with special cutting fluid for magnesium processing. It shall be placed in a ventilated place that cannot be exposed to rain and water. The cover shall not be covered to allow the hydrogen that may be generated to volatilize naturally (hydrogen may cause explosion if it is not volatilized sufficiently).
Smoking, welding and other behaviors with fire source are strictly prohibited around.

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5. Extinguishment of magnesium chip combustion
a. Class D extinguisher.
The material is usually sodium chloride based powder or a graphite based powder that has been passivated. The principle is to extinguish the fire by removing oxygen.
B. Covering agent or dry sand.
Small area fire can be covered by it, and its principle is to smother the fire by removing oxygen.
c. Cast iron chips.
It can also be used without other good fire extinguishing materials. Its main function is to reduce the temperature below the ignition point of magnesium, rather than smothering the fire.
In a word, under no circumstances can water or any other standard fire extinguisher be used to extinguish the fire caused by magnesium. Water, other liquids, carbon dioxide, foam, etc. will react with the burning magnesium, and strengthen the fire rather than suppress it.