Magnesium is the lightest of all the commonly used metals. It is one of the most abundant element in the earth's surface, amounting to about 2.5 percent of its composition. Magnesium is produced from sea water, brines and magnesium-bearing minerals, which offer unlimited reserves. Most pure metals, including magnesium, are too soft for structural use. However strength properties comparable to those of many aluminum alloys are obtained by alloying magnesium with other metals, and, in some cases, by heat treating or working.
Magnesium is used as an alloy in other metals, most often aluminum. Magnesium melts at 650 degrees C (1202 degrees F), about the same temperature as required to melt aluminum. Aluminum represents 40 - 45 percent of total demand for magnesium.
Magnesium alloys are processed into castings (die, sand, permanent mold and investment), extrusions, forgings, impact extrusions and flat rolled products. It can be joined by riveting or any of the commonly used welding methods. In short, magnesium is light, abundant and recyclable.

Magnesium can be machined faster and has the best strength-to-weight ratio of any of the commonly used structural metals. It has excellent dimensional stability and is highly impact and dent resistant. Magnesium has excellent damping capacity and low inertia which makes it a good choice for parts which undergo frequent and sudden high-speed changes in the direction of motion. The new high purity alloys have corrosion resistance better than carbon, steel and some aluminum alloys.

The four principal uses of magnesium in an industrial context are:

• Alloying with aluminum - 40 - 45 percent
  
• As a structural metal - magnesium alloys - 33 - 35 percent
  
• Iron and steel processing - desulfurization - 13 percent
  
• Electrochemical and other