Magnesium Lower? - AR15.COM

Posted: 6/17/2013 9:35:28 AM EDT

Anybody know what the corrosion/solvent/ and wear resistance of these lowers is?

It seems like a neat idea a lower that weighs 35% less than aluminum.

So, thoughts input or otherwise?

Posted: 6/17/2013 9:37:46 AM EDT

[#1]

Link and pics, please.

Posted: 6/17/2013 9:39:38 AM EDT

[#2]

This one?

Posted: 6/17/2013 9:41:17 AM EDT

[#3]

Does anyone make one?

Posted: 6/17/2013 9:41:46 AM EDT

[#4]

It's used in structural applications, engine blocks, all kinds of wheel, et cetera. It's just basically lighter aluminum.

Posted: 6/17/2013 9:44:40 AM EDT

[#5]

Is it worth all the trouble to save 2 ounces of weight?

Posted: 6/17/2013 9:45:58 AM EDT

[#6]

Don't let it catch on fire. The Navy would not approve, so no go for military use.

Other than that, sounds cool.

Posted: 6/17/2013 9:52:23 AM EDT

[#7]

Dont get it in salt water.

Posted: 6/17/2013 9:59:23 AM EDT

[#8]

You could save maybe another ounce with a titanium buffer spring for $200 or so.

Posted: 6/17/2013 10:02:50 AM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Don't let it catch on fire. The Navy would not approve, so no go for military use.

Other than that, sounds cool.

Has potential to be a new ARFCOM meme.

Posted: 6/17/2013 10:07:19 AM EDT

[#10]

Don't see the point. Aluminum lowers are already super light.

Posted: 6/17/2013 10:08:42 AM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Dont get it in salt water.

You're thinking Zinc

Posted: 6/17/2013 10:18:46 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Dont get it in salt water.

You're thinking Zinc

They're both sacrificial anodes. And water does affect magnesium because of this.

Posted: 6/17/2013 10:19:34 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
It's used in structural applications, engine blocks, all kinds of wheel, et cetera. It's just basically lighter aluminum.

That can catch fire. And has different metallurgical and fabrication properties. And has different surface treatments.

But other than that, it's just like aluminum. But lighter.

Posted: 6/17/2013 10:26:09 AM EDT

[#14]

"Why is this AR lower so heavy?" Said no one ever.

Posted: 6/17/2013 10:28:54 AM EDT

[#15]

Magnesium is much more reactive with oxygen than aluminum. While strong and light, aluminum makes better tools than does magnesium because both will get nicks, wear and abrasions in use. The aluminum will be less prone to corrosion.

Posted: 6/17/2013 10:30:13 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:

"Why is this AR lower so heavy?" Said no one ever.

Ever pick up a stainless steel lower? The were around during the last ban.

Posted: 6/17/2013 10:31:44 AM EDT

[#17]

we use mag alot in my business ( motor racing) and i would not want a rifle made of it.

Posted: 6/17/2013 10:32:30 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
It's used in structural applications, engine blocks, all kinds of wheel, et cetera. It's just basically lighter aluminum.

Not even close.

Magnesium consumer products are alloys of magnesium. The density is about 0.065 lbf/in^3, or 65% of aluminum alloys (~0.10 lbf / in^3). The ductility is poor, although no worse than aluminum castings.

The applications are similar to those used for cast aluminum.

Posted: 6/17/2013 11:13:26 AM EDT

[#19]

I know hardly a day goes by without me wondering why the fuck AR lowers are so heavy,there has to be a lighter material we could use

Posted: 6/17/2013 11:15:49 AM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
I know hardly a day goes by without me wondering why the fuck AR lowers are so heavy,there has to be a lighter material we could use

Polymer... Oh wait.

Posted: 6/17/2013 11:20:50 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:

Quoted:
It's used in structural applications, engine blocks, all kinds of wheel, et cetera. It's just basically lighter aluminum.

That can catch fire. And has different metallurgical and fabrication properties. And has different surface treatments.

But other than that, it's just like aluminum. But lighter.

Aluminum can burn... just not so easily or as well under normal circumstances.

Posted: 6/17/2013 11:21:59 AM EDT

[#22]

My LGS has some. They look OK and are certainly light. I thought they might be nice for a pistol build.

Posted: 6/17/2013 11:23:07 AM EDT

[#23]

Do not want

Posted: 6/17/2013 11:26:38 AM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
Don't see the point. Aluminum lowers are already super light.

I got one of the mag tac fde lowers. I'm using it for a light recce. I figure it gives a discount on the weight on the porky swfa 1-6 I'm using. Or, it makes a t1 and larue mount "free" in terms of weight.

meh, I like the occasional whizbang chotchke of questionable necessity

Posted: 6/17/2013 11:28:20 AM EDT

[#25]

Magnesium corrodes like a motherfucker if you don't keep the protective coating in place.

Here's my take on it, the lower was engineered designed to be made out of aluminum.
If you build the lower out of anything else and don't engineer and design it to take advantage of the specific strengths of the material you are using then you're wasting time and money.

Posted: 6/17/2013 11:44:39 AM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
Magnesium is much more reactive with oxygen than aluminum. While strong and light, aluminum makes better tools than does magnesium because both will get nicks, wear and abrasions in use. The aluminum will be less prone to corrosion.

From what I under stand aluminum is practically impervious to corrosion due to the oxidation layer that forms. Obviously some things can attack it and corrode it like mercury or a strong base.

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