Magnesium online resource center

Historically, magnesium was one of the main aerospace construction metals and was used for German military aircraft as early as World War I and extensively for German aircraft in World War II. The Germans coined the name 'Elektron' for magnesium alloy which is still used today.
Due to perceived hazards with magnesium parts in the event of fire, the application of magnesium in the commercial aerospace industry was generally limited to engine related components. The development and testing of new magnesium alloys notably Elektron 21 which has successfully undergone extensive aerospace testing for suitability in both engine, internal and airframe components.
The aerospace industry has long recognized the advantage to be earned of weight reduction by utilizing high performance sand cast and forged magnesium alloys for the production of critical components. Magnesium alloys are used for helicopter transmission casting. Magnesium alloys take parts in aero-engine industry, too. Alloys find good application in both - civil and military aircrafts. Military aircraft capitalize on the lightweight characteristics of Mg alloys for transmission casting. In a few words that high implementation casting alloys, currently was processed to achieve an aerospace specification.

Source: magnesium-elektron.com