Overview
ISO 16220:2017 - "Magnesium and magnesium alloys - Magnesium alloy ingots and castings" defines the chemical composition, mechanical property requirements and testing arrangements for magnesium alloy ingots and castings. This third edition replaces ISO 16220:2005 and adds new alloys. It covers material designation, temper and casting-process symbols, sampling, test-piece design and test methods referenced (tensile and Brinell hardness).
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Specifies chemical composition for ingots and castings and mechanical properties obtained from separately cast samples; by agreement, properties may be taken from samples cut from castings.
- Material designation: Standardized ISO alloy names and ordering format (includes ISO alloy designation, temper and casting-process codes). Example:
20 castings – ISO 16220 - ISO-MgAl9Zn1(A) -F-S
- Temper designations: F (as-cast), T4, T5, T6 - clarifies heat-treatment states and intended use.
- Casting-process codes: S = sand, K = permanent mould, D = pressure die, L = investment casting.
- Chemical composition & mechanical properties: Detailed in Tables 1–5 (ingots, castings, sand/permanent-mould/investment/pressure-die guidance). Conformance is determined by manufacturer analysis at production.
- Test-piece sizes and preparation: Minimum diameters and geometry rules by casting type (e.g., sand and permanent-mould: min Ø12 mm; investment: min Ø5 mm; cut-from-casting circular test pieces: min Ø4 mm). Gauge and parallel lengths to follow ISO 6892-1 where applicable.
- Test methods referenced: Tensile testing per ISO 6892-1, Brinell hardness per ISO 6506-1; rounding rules per ISO 80000-1; testing frequency and sampling per EN 1559-5.
- Notes on pressure die casting: Mechanical properties depend strongly on process parameters; values in the standard for pressure-die castings are for guidance only.
Applications and users
ISO 16220:2017 is intended for:
- Foundries and casting manufacturers producing magnesium alloy ingots and castings
- Material and quality engineers specifying chemical composition and mechanical properties for components
- OEMs and purchasers using standardized ordering designations for procurement
- Test laboratories performing tensile and hardness testing to demonstrate conformity
- Design engineers selecting magnesium alloys for lightweight structural, automotive, aerospace and consumer applications where controlled alloy composition and cast properties are required
Benefits include consistent material specification, predictable mechanical-property verification, and clearer supplier–buyer agreements on sampling, testing and acceptance.
Related standards
- ISO 6892-1 - Metallic materials - Tensile testing (room temperature)
- ISO 6506-1 - Brinell hardness test - Test method
- EN 1559-5 - Founding - Delivery conditions - Additional requirements for magnesium castings
- ISO 80000-1 - Quantities and units (rounding rules)
Keywords: ISO 16220:2017, magnesium alloy ingots, magnesium castings, chemical composition, mechanical properties, tensile test, Brinell hardness, casting processes, material designation, magnesium alloys standard.
