Cutting Magnesium

[louieatienza]

OK.... I've done a bit of research on the subject and came up with the following:

1- easily machined, though lower feedrates should be used
2- should NOT use water for coolant; mineral oil is best
3- swarf is HIGHLY flammable
4- dry sand should be kept nearby in case of fire

Is there any other percautions? Also:

1- What's the best way to dispose of swarf (especially if it's contaminated with mineral oil?)
2- Is using dust collection safe (i.e. static charge igniting swarf/dust?)

Thanks in advance, Louie

[dertsap]

Originally Posted by louieatienza 2- should NOT use water for coolant; mineral oil is best

run it dry

[johnmac]

I work with 1/4" sheet magnesium at work. It cuts on a band saw good, using a wood cutting blade with a rather low TPI count and wood cutting FPM. I use a router table with a HSS bit to bevel the edges, and a Rotozip with flex shaft and HSS bit for hand carving. Carbide will work, but is not a requirement.

Chips, shavings and dust can be dangerous. The finer the dust, the easier it is to ignite. Any other dust mixed in, like saw dust or even floor dust makes it even easier to ignite.

Once lit, it produces light so bright it will burn the retina in your eyes, like looking at arc welding.

Once lit, magnesium burns so hot that if water is sprayed on it, rather than putting the fire out, the heat will break the water down and separate the Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms which in turn feeds the fire.

When magnesium burns, it gives off long soot streamers, like a cutting torch with the Oxygen turned off. Don't breath it!

I keep a bucket full of plastic bags of sand. Should I ever need them I would toss the bags on the fire, bag and all. Remember it burns hot. You may not be able to get close enough to dump the sand on the fire.

A shop vac makes a good dust collector. Everywhere the dust can contact is plastic and spark proof.

The best safety tool of all is good housekeeping. The dust can't burn if it doesn't have a chance to build up.

Always clean all magnesium scrap and dust up, including any power tools used, before using them for anything else. This is especially true for any metal working tools.

John

[louieatienza]

Thanks for the replies... I also posted the question on the materials forum of the metalworking section. It's interesting that here in the DIY section, the response is more like "proceed woth caution" and in the metal section the response is skull-and-crossbones do-not-attempt!

As a former avid camper I'd keep one of those magnesium bars for making shavings to start fires, so I'm well aware of the risks. I'm kind of worried how and where to store and dispose of the waste (other than camping...)

[CarveOne]

Originally Posted by louieatienza Thanks for the replies... I also posted the question on the materials forum of the metalworking section. It's interesting that here in the DIY section, the response is more like "proceed woth caution" and in the metal section the response is skull-and-crossbones do-not-attempt! As a former avid camper I'd keep one of those magnesium bars for making shavings to start fires, so I'm well aware of the risks. I'm kind of worried how and where to store and dispose of the waste (other than camping...)

Check with a local metals recycling center. Otherwise, the sawdust might be good for the tomato plants.

CarveOne