Magnesium Alloy

General Information

Magnesium is a silvery-white metal that is principally used as an alloy element for aluminum, lead, zinc, and other nonferrous alloys. Magnesium is among the lightest of all the metals, and also the sixth most abundant on earth. Magnesium is ductile and the most machinable of all the metals. Magnesium has a protective film to protect against corrosion, however it is easily corroded by chlorides, sulfates, and other chemicals, therefore magnesium is often anodized to improve its corrosion resistance.

Applications

Due to its light weight, superior machinability and ease of casting, magnesium is used for many purposes such as auto parts, power tools, sporting goods, aerospace equipment, fixtures, and material handling equipment. Automotive applications include gearboxes, valve covers, wheels, clutch housings, and brake pedal brackets. Wrought alloys are available in rod, bar, sheet, plate, forgings, and extrusions.

Designations

Magnesium alloys use a system of identification developed by ASTM and SAE in which the the first part of the designation is the two principal alloying elements, and the second part indicates their percentages.

Typical Physical/Mechanical Properties

Density: 1770-1830 kg/m3 Melting Point: 650 °C Elastic Modulus: 44.8 GPa Poisson's Ratio: 0.35 Tensile Strength: 152-379 MPa Yield Strength: 80-280 MPa Percent Elongation: 5-15%

Typical Thermal Properties

Thermal Expansion Coefficient: 26.1 × 10-6/K

Designation

Alloying Elements: A: Aluminum E: Rare Earths H: Thorium K: Zirconium M: Manganese Q: Silver S: Silicon T: Tin Z: Zinc Temper Designation: F: Fabricated O: Annealed H10, H11: Strain hardened H23, H24, H26: Strain hardened and annealed T4: Solution heat treated T5: Artificially aged T6: Solution heat treated and artificially aged T8: Solution heat treated, cold worked, and artificially aged

Magnesium Alloy
Name	Processes and Available Forms
ASTM AM100A-T61	sand casting, permanent mold casting
ASTM AM60A-F	die casting
ASTM AS41A-F	die casting
ASTM AZ10A-F	extruded bar and shape
ASTM AZ21X1-F	extruded bar and shape
ASTM AZ31B-F	extruded bar and shape
ASTM AZ31B-H24	sheet and plate
ASTM AZ31C-F	extruded bar and shape
ASTM AZ61A-F	extruded bar and shape
ASTM AZ63A-T6	sand casting, permanent mold casting
ASTM AZ80A-T5	extruded bar and shape
ASTM AZ81A-T4	sand casting, permanent mold casting
ASTM AZ91A-F	die casting
ASTM AZ91B-F	die casting
ASTM AZ91C-T6	sand casting, permanent mold casting
ASTM AZ92A-T6	sand casting, permanent mold casting
ASTM EZ33A-T5	sand casting, permanent mold casting
ASTM HK31A-H24	sheet and plate
ASTM HK31A-T6	sand casting, permanent mold casting
ASTM HM21A-T8	sheet and plate
ASTM HM31A-F	extruded bar and shape
ASTM HZ32A-T5	sand casting, permanent mold casting
ASTM K1A-F	sand casting, permanent mold casting
ASTM M1A-F	Extruded bar and shape
ASTM PE	sheet and plate
ASTM QE22A-T6	sand casting, permanent mold casting
ASTM QH21A-T6	sand casting, permanent mold casting
ASTM ZE41A-T5	sand casting, permanent mold casting
ASTM ZE63A-T6	sand casting, permanent mold casting
ASTM ZH62A-T5	sand casting, permanent mold casting

ASTM ZK21A-F	extruded bar and shape
ASTM ZK40A-T5	extruded bar and shape
ASTM ZK51A-T5	sand casting, permanent mold casting
ASTM ZK60A-T5	extruded bar and shape
ASTM ZK61A-T5	sand casting, permanent mold casting
ASTM ZK61A-T6	sand casting, permanent mold casting