[TheForge] a question which probably has a simple answer

[Andrew Vida]

On 10/1/13 11:19 PM, terry l. ridder wrote:

> "What keeps the magnesium from bursting into flames like in chemisty
> class?"
Here I assume you mean during operation.  Under "normal" conditions 
magnesium will not ignite because the energy available is insufficient 
to raise the material to its heat of combustion (IIRC that should be the 
property).

Moreover, such engines' cylinders will have steel liners or at the very 
least, plated bores.

>
> his next question was:
>
> "How do they melt it to make the castings without it bursting into
> flames?" It is melted and poured either in a vacuum or inert atmosphere
> like argon, xenon, neon, etc.

Seems right.