Oxidation is a phenomenon that occurs, in the case of metals, as a result of prolonged exposure to air and moisture. Both magnesium and aluminium are therefore subject to it. However, due to its nature, magnesium, is subject to it in a period of time (usually one year from its manufacture, but in some cases even less) that is much shorter than aluminium. Visually, oxidation involves the opacification of the magnesium component, if it is in a raw state. If magnesium is treated and takes on the classic gold colour like most commercially available products, white dots form on its surface. In general, to prevent or delay oxidation, it is good practice to periodically treat components with a good product to protect metals (for example, WD-40). Taking into consideration, instead, the average reliability of a magnesium component compared to its aluminium counterpart, what affects it is above all the more rigid nature of the magnesium component which will therefore be more subject to breakage in case of blows or stress related to its use. To overcome these differences between the two materials, we at AMV Kart have patented a special plasma electrolytic anodizing treatment called OXiTECH that allows magnesium components to obtain extraordinary corrosion and wear protection characteristics.
