June 26, 2006 --The North American Die Casting Association (NADCA) announced revised specifications for aluminum alloys 380 and A380, increasing the magnesium content from 0.10% to 0.30%.

The increase will reduce the amount of chlorine used to control the magnesium level, using approximately 40-50% less, depending on the raw material being used. This will also slightly reduce the production cost for alloy producers, using less chlorine and having less land-filling of magnesium chloride.

The magnesium increase will also improve the ability to machine the cast parts and will improve domestic competitiveness with other countries, such as Japan, China, Russia, Germany, and the UK, all of whom have had higher magnesium limits on their aluminum alloys for years.

"This change will provide significant environmental benefits while having no negative impact on properties or the ability of die casters to cast the alloys and a positive impact on the ability to machine alloys," said NADCA president Daniel Twarog. "It will also make our standard consistent with those in some of the world's largest aluminum producing markets, which is an important consideration in today's global economy."

The change in the specification was approved by the NADCA committee and is widely supported by its members. The NADCA is now working with the Aluminum Association to get it changed in the AA/ANSI standard and will work to have it changed in the ASTM specification.