Flammability and the oxidation kinetics of the magnesium alloys AZ31, WE43, and ZE10

Combustion behaviour of three typical magnesium (Mg) alloys were investigated using a cone calorimeter. Thermogravimetry (TG) analysis with four heating rates (5, 10, 15, and 20 °C/min) in air was performed to determine the oxidation properties. The TG results were used to explain combustion behaviour to a certain extent, either. The extent of conversions of the three alloys at different heating rates at the initial temperature are very similar. Activation energies for oxidation in air were calculated by two typical isoconversional methods. The fire resistance of ZE10 was superior to the other alloys according to current study.