§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Minister of Technology (1) whether there will be an increase in the use of magnesium alloy products in future Government engineering and aircraft projects; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what research is being undertaken by his Department into the use of magnesium alloy products in future Government engineering and aircraft projects; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BrayThe characteristic limiting the wider use of magnesium alloys is their susceptibility to corrosion and because rigorous standards of corrosion resistance are essential if excessive maintenance or replacement costs are to be avoided, advanced and complex coatings are necessary on magnesium alloys to confer adequate surface protection. Such coatings 357W are in operational use on aircraft and detailed experience with them will be accumulated, but they do not at present provide a complete answer to the problem.
No substantial increase in the use of magnesium alloys can therefore be expected unless future research produces alloys and coatings of improved engineering efficiency.
§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Minister of Technology whether he is aware of the pioneering work done in the use of magnesium alloy products in Government engineering and aircraft projects; and whether he will consider further co-operation in this field with Sterling Metals Limited of Nuneaton.
§ Dr. BrayI am aware of the pioneering work done in the use of magnesium alloy products in Government engineering and aircraft projects and establishments. The Department is always prepared to consider possible co-operation in any field of activity that could prove beneficial to the economy.