Magnesium is the lightest of all metals, being 75% lighter than steel and 33% lighter than aluminum alloys. Magnesium was first recognised as an element in 1755 by Black. However, it was not isolated until 1808 by Sir Humphry Davy who evaporated the mercury from a magnesium amalgam made by electrolysing a mixture of moist magnesia and mercuric oxide, and was not prepared in its coherent form till 1831 by Antoine Bussy.

Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust (approximately 2.5% by weight). It does not occur uncombined, but is found in large deposits in the form of magnesite, dolomite, and other minerals.
Magnesium is the third most commonly used structural metal, following steel and alumium. Magnesium is non-toxic, non-magnetic, has high-impact strength and is resistant to denting.

Magnesium and its alloys are easy to structure, they can be machined, formed, joined and welded.
Today, magnesium is used in several industries and applications (aerospace, ballistics, automotive, electro-optics and electronic devices), each one takes advantage of the unique physical and mechanical properties of the magnesium alloys. The use of magnesium alloys is increasing annually as the lightweight properties of magnesium alloys are used increasingly in the above industries as a means of reducing weight, increasing fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information about magnesium go to magnesium.com.