Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Sourcing metals

bold_ing - 20-4-2019 at 09:23

I've been looking for magnesium for a while now but I really can't find any source for it where I live.
anyone got an idea on where can I magnesium metal ?
I know that it is used in car parts but what models/parts are made out of magnesium?

elementcollector1 - 20-4-2019 at 09:36

I have a significant amount of scrap that a casting company sent me for my senior thesis (the experiment was redesigned to not use molten magnesium, so right now it's just laying around). It's not pure (~90%), but what do you need it for?

WGTR - 20-4-2019 at 10:04

Some of the larger boating supply stores will sell some magnesium anodes. I got a small one from West Marine some years ago.

rockyit98 - 20-4-2019 at 10:28

i saw on youtube some one got magnesium from front of a car. they mentioned type and model of the car, unfortunately i don`t seems to recall.if i do i let you know.

rockyit98 - 20-4-2019 at 10:35

HOW TO GET MAGNESIUM ,I found the video it from TheBackyardScientist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSusDFuaAms

[Edited on 20-4-2019 by rockyit98]

Ubya - 20-4-2019 at 12:07

some pencil sharpeners are made out of magnesium, it's usually written on it, if not you could test it by scraping some of the surface and then lighting the shavings, magnesium will burn with a flash

[Edited on 20-4-2019 by Ubya]

Bedlasky - 20-4-2019 at 12:12

What about a magnesium ribbon?

DrScrabs - 20-4-2019 at 12:12

For amall amounts pencil sharpeners can be used. Just check their weight, Mg casted sharpeners are easily figured out!

zed - 20-4-2019 at 14:20

In ancient times, the engine block of some VW bugs, was made from Mg.

Not so many around as there used to be.

RogueRose - 21-4-2019 at 00:01

It would probably help if you said where you are located or AT least a close proximity.

Try to find some old Dell Latitudes (D620/630 or D820/D830) those have an entire magnesium body and you can probably find dead ones/scrap ones for maybe $5-10 as these are probably 12-15 years old. I think there are some Apple & HP products that also had Mg cases. Another one you might want to look into is older Sony products.

bold_ing - 21-4-2019 at 09:56

Quote: Originally posted by elementcollector1  
I have a significant amount of scrap that a casting company sent me for my senior thesis (the experiment was redesigned to not use molten magnesium, so right now it's just laying around). It's not pure (~90%), but what do you need it for?

I'm looking into making some flare compositions and maybe even distill sodium and potassium metals with it.
so purity isn't very important for this
how much do you have ?

elementcollector1 - 21-4-2019 at 16:00

2 pounds, if I recall correctly. It's mostly in the form of large cast pieces (6 - 12"), so you'd be responsible for powdering.

RogueRose - 21-4-2019 at 17:01

Quote: Originally posted by bold_ing  
Quote: Originally posted by elementcollector1  
I have a significant amount of scrap that a casting company sent me for my senior thesis (the experiment was redesigned to not use molten magnesium, so right now it's just laying around). It's not pure (~90%), but what do you need it for?

I'm looking into making some flare compositions and maybe even distill sodium and potassium metals with it.
so purity isn't very important for this
how much do you have ?


So you need fine filings or "powder"? For the 3-4th time in this thread - WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED!?

I can order as much as you want of various qualities, some very inexpensive b/c it's a mix of sizes and is floor sweepings of Mg but it is all Mg maybe 1-2% Al. I've never seen dirt in it and anything like that can be sifted out if it would even matter for K/Na production.

Let me know where you are so I can find out the shipping for you or if it is possible for the stuff to be shipped.

Prepic - 23-4-2019 at 10:10

I've also been looking for some magnesium metal for quite a while.

What I found found was a magnesium geyser anode, I cant vouch for its purity but I've successfully managed to produce sodium metal using the sodium - magnesium oxide aggregate method and dioxane (Hopefully it will work in the catalytic alcohol method).

PS. you can run a quick test if something is magnesium by dropping a little vinegar on it and see if it bubbles. (bubbles = most probably magnesium)

TheMrbunGee - 23-4-2019 at 12:56

Some chainsaw carcases are made from magnesium.. Aircraft wheels also.

GrayGhost- - 23-4-2019 at 16:28

Sacrifice anodes in water heaters installed in houses is pure magnesium, almost in my fu.... country, they have iron core for hold when corrodes.

bold_ing - 26-4-2019 at 09:45

good news , i've found where to get it and for quite cheap too.
i went to cnc shops and they pointed me to their metal suppliers who happen to have a quite large selection of alloys and metals.
i could get 95%mg blocks for around 20$/kg , i'm stocking up lol

RedDwarf - 26-4-2019 at 12:52

Quote: Originally posted by TheMrbunGee  
Some chainsaw carcases are made from magnesium.. Aircraft wheels also.


Do you know which chainsaw brands (and models)? Not that interested in the aircraft wheels as I don't have any of those lying around :)

TheMrbunGee - 26-4-2019 at 14:54

Quote: Originally posted by RedDwarf  
Quote: Originally posted by TheMrbunGee  
Some chainsaw carcases are made from magnesium.. Aircraft wheels also.


Do you know which chainsaw brands (and models)? Not that interested in the aircraft wheels as I don't have any of those lying around :)




Sadly - no. I know, because that was the first source of Mg i got my hands on. I did some research back then and learned quite a few saws use Mg because of light weight and strength.

RogueRose - 27-4-2019 at 04:33

has anyone mentioned the fire starters? There are Mg fire starters that are 1-2oz of Mg and come with a little piece of hack saw and a flint rod. You are supposed to saw (or cut with a knife) some shavings and then use the saw blade on the flint rod to start a fire. I know harbor freight sells these for a good price. Don't go by the weight listed for the item, they are always listed much too high, you'll get a better estimate by looking at the product dimensions & calculate with density.

https://www.harborfreight.com/magnesium-fire-starter-66560.h...

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coghlan-s-7870-Magnesium-Fire-Sta...

https://www.amazon.com/SE-FS374-All-Weather-Emergency-Magnes...

RedDwarf - 1-5-2019 at 09:44

For the record after a bit of googling and testing on a few chainsaws to check...Stihl chainsaws are made of magnesium (tested on 051 and 038 models)

Herr Haber - 2-5-2019 at 06:18

Early Bell Huey helicopters were made of magnesium.
Switching to magnalium apparently made them less prone to fire when crashing.