Yo! ... T Bone

Someone asked me a question involving the wonderful world of Plasma and I sure couln't answer them, so I'll ask you...

The question was asked: Can a Plasma cut MAGNESIUM? I'd never pondered it before, but as I did, I drew my breath and imagined quite an unplanned, but magnificent fireworks display.

The person has a sheet of 3/8" magnesium diamond plate he wants to cut parts out of. Where the heck he found that stuff I'll never know, but now he doesn't know what to do with it.

I told him to saw a tiny corner off it and test it out under carefully thought out and set up conditions. Also, told him don't try it in the rain....LOL. I,m afraid even that looked OK, you wouldn't know what it might do as you cut and the heat built up in the sheet.

What do you know/think about Plasma VS magnesium?

Not a response to yur question, however, when I saw your name thought I would butt in.

Haven't heard from U in a loooong time.

How about a holler.....

Chopper fm PA.

Whasssss sssssup?

Hadn't seen ya around in a while...I'll blast ya an E Mail.

Sorry I've never messed with pure MG (90%) that is as pure MG would be difficult to find. Even with the 90% MG normal Tig methods can be used for certian types of MG alloys and there lies the rub, what do you have?

If it was 99% MG you should have a strong sulfur odor as they use sulfur dioxide to coat the metal for handling. MG also reacts with hydrochloric acid mixs.

There's a ton of on-line info you can search but I just can't help you with any personal experience.

T_Bone

A Metalurgist could tell us more. The closest I am to being a Metalurgist is that I can tell the difference between a platinum blonde and a common ore..... .

However, I have a metallurgist sitting here with me as I write this. He doubts that it is really magnesium plate. He suspects that it might be duralium which was/is used for lightweight requirements such as aircraft frames, radar towers, etc., etc..

To test, use a hand hacksaw to SLOWLY saw off a small corner, catching the saw filings as you cut. Then try to set that sample alight with a low setting on an oxy-acetylene torch on a sharp corner of the off-cut and also on the collected saw filings. Do this on a steel benchtop or a piece of steel plate. If it lights up and burns vigorously with a bright, white light and flying sparks, you've got a piece of magnesium. Everything else you do with that piece of plate from here on needs to be VERY cool. If it does not light up, it will most likely be duralium or some other aluminium alloy.

If it does actually turn out to be magnesium, it could be drilled VERY SLOWLY UNDER RUNNING SOLUBLE OIL. This would then allow the insertion of a jigsaw to start cutting whatever shapes were wanted from the plate, AGAIN, UNDER RUNNING SOLUBLE OIL. LOTS OF IT.

He recommends that you read the page at the link below re working with magnesium and dealing with magnesium fires. It does appear that heavy sheet or ingot magnesium is very hard to set fire to but magnesium dust, sawdust, filings or shavings can be set alight quite easily. Be careful.

The best way though is to contact the manufacturer -- if known -- for details on dealing with this piece of plate --- if said plate is not already 'hot'.

Hope this helps.

You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.

• Magnesium info.