Extruded Magnesium Tubing vs. Impact Extruded Cans in BA-4386/PRC-25 Magnesium Battery.

Magnesium cells using cans made by plugging extruded magnesium tubing were compared with those made by the conventional impact extrusion from magnesium rod, in BA-4386PRC-25 batteries, to determine if there was an effect on service, storageability and starting delays. Cells and batteries of both types were made simultaneously on standard production equipment, and since the AZ31 magnesium alloy specified was different from the AZ21 now standard for BA-4386PRC-25 batteries, the rod for the control cans was extruded from the same alloy batch used for the tubing. Thus processability of the tubing was demonstrated and variables were minimized. Whether the can is made from tubing or by impact extrusion, seems to have little effect on performance, and since tubing would be more costly, impact extrusion seems preferable. The composition of the magnesium alloy, and not how it is made into cans, seems to be more significant variable in the performance of BA-486PRC-25 magnesium batteries.