Magnesium
Real Metals · Common · Modern
The lightest structural metal, magnesium weighs two thirds as much as aluminium and burns with a blinding white intensity that water cannot extinguish. Essential to life as a component of chlorophyll, it is simultaneously a biological necessity and an industrial workhorse.
Identity
- Symbol
- Mg
- Atomic number
- 12
- Source
- Natural element
- Used in
- Duralumin
- Aliases
- Mg
Physical Properties
- Appearance
- Shiny grey-white, even lighter than aluminium, burns with a blinding white flame
- Luster
- Metallic
- Density
- 1.74 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 650 °C
- Boiling point
- 1090 °C
- Denser
- Hvítaálmr
- Magnetism
- Non-magnetic
- Electrical conductivity
- Medium
Mechanical Properties
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Tensile strength
- 200 MPa
- Softer
- Tin
- Harder
- Brass
- Workability
- Moderate
- Brittleness
- Moderate
- Malleability
- Moderate
- Ductility
- Moderate
Chemical Properties
- Corrosion resistance
- low
- Reactivity
- high
Lore & Narrative
German forces in World War II used magnesium incendiary bombs to devastating effect on British cities, where water from fire hoses only spread the burning metal further. The same element that sustains plant life was weaponised in one of history's most destructive bombing campaigns.
- Notable uses
- Aerospace alloys, automotive parts, incendiary devices, biological processes
- Forge uses
- aerospace alloys, automotive components, lightweight structures
- Worldbuilding traits
- ultralight, flammable, biological, modern
Browse the Metal Encyclopedia — MGS Toolbox