T-mag high integrity magnesium castings
T-Mag
The CSIRO T-Mag casting technology is your solution for light-weight, high-integrity heat treatable magnesium alloy castings.
The challenge: How to make components lighter to save energy?
A key tool for increasing vehicle fuel efficiency is to reduce component weight. Magnesium-based cast materials should be an obvious choice – magnesium is the lightest engineering metal, and casting is the lowest cost route to near net shape parts. However, standard permanent mould casting processes for magnesium alloys are difficult to carry out reliably and cost-effectively; when molten, the material is intolerant of exposure to air and normal pouring methods so that quality and productivity suffer. The application of structural magnesium castings has thus been limited; the magnesium industry has lacked an appropriate technical solution.
A suspension arm knuckle pre-form casting in AZ80 alloy emerges from the
500 kg metal capacity T-Mag casting machine located in South Australia
Our response: The T-Mag permanent mould casting process
With CSIRO Flagship seed funding, staff well versed in metallurgy, molten metal handling and casting techniques designed, built and developed the first T-Mag casting machine. The primary aim was to achieve easy production of clean low-oxide castings with the maximum as-cast yield and minimum consumption of protective gases – without needing elaborate or expensive equipment. A number of different casting types were produced to demonstrate the abilities of the new process. Patent protection was obtained, and in a partnership with several investors from the Australian casting industry, the technology was commercialised by the formation of the company T-Mag Pty Ltd. CSIRO involvement continues, both as a shareholder and as a provider of technical expertise. T-Mag Pty Ltd is tasked with sales, marketing and operating the T-Mag facility located in Adelaide, South Australia.
A batch of light truck suspension arm castings despatched to the USA for evaluation in the High Integrity Magnesium Automotive project.
The results: T-Mag is ready to do business with you
T-Mag Pty Ltd offers a commercial technology package to the industry. The Adelaide T-Mag casting facility has the capacity for production of demonstration samples or short-run production quantities of the client’s chosen component design. Each part can be up to 15kg weight with 500 mm linear dimensions, in any magnesium alloy. T-Mag will work with the client to design and specify, and if necessary supply, the required plant in the client’s chosen location. Full technical support is available through the commissioning and production phases as required.
Motorcycle wheel castings produced with the T-Mag process
Call to action
We are ready to discuss your light weight magnesium product requirements. Contact us today!