Magnesium alloys are noted for low weight, high strength to weight ratio, exceptional damping capacity and ease of machining. Magnesium die casting temperatures are about the same as aluminum and both hot chamber and cold chamber die casting machines are used to produce castings.

Magnesium die casting rates are high because of its low heat content which produces rapid solidification. For the same reason, less energy is required to heat the metal to casting temperature.

AZ91HP (high purity) alloy has been developed for die casting parts subject to corrosive environments. Because of lower levels of nickel, iron, copper and silicon versus AZ91D, this alloy is finding applications in automobiles, computers and peripheral equipment and in other die casting products where paint or coatings are either undesirable or expensive.

Although magnesium die castings are used uncoated, they can be finished in a variety of ways to give increased protection against corrosion, wear and abrasion resistance and to improve appearance. Common inorganic treatments include chemical dips, anodizing and plating. Organic coatings — oil, wax, resin or paint — are usually applied over chemical treatments or anodizing to seal the surface.