"Magnesium alloy components do not age well, becoming brittle with age,mag brake plates are best used on the shelf of the garage, when you really need them, they are quite likely to shatter under load."
This was a little message I had from a friend who is a metallurgist who does some NDT work for me.
This was following my request for him to examine some magnesium lightning brake plates I picked up at an autojumble.
Oh dear, I did some further homework and had mentioned it to another friend who is an insurance underwriter he informed me if you declare modern magnesium wheels, what like the ones I have on my superbike, yes, we will not insure you!
They have a very short shelf /use life.
More money spent replacing the very expensive mag racing wheels with the standard heavy alloy originals.
Beware the exotic metals, any one else have any experience of exploding mag brake plates or the limitations of magnesium alloy versus time?
Al