Material Properties of

Magnesium
Randy Beals

(A)
Friendly
Material
Properties

Physical/Chemical Properties of Mg vs Other Matls

PROPERTY

Units Condition

AZ91

AM60

Al380
DC

1.81

1.79

2.74

2.69

1.4

1.05

51

61

96

159

0.33

0.28

25.6

22

21.5

34.5

76.5

2,640
1,066

2,590

Sg Gravity

g/cm

Th Conductivity

W/m K

Coeff Th Expan

um/m K

26

Specific Heat
Heat of Fusion

J/L K
kJ/L

1,900
673

Freezing Range

Al A356 Nylon
T6 30% glass

470-595 540-615 540-595 555-615

2

Corrosion wt. loss mg/cm /d die cast

3 days@5% NaCl

0.02

0.05

0.27

ABS

Mechanical Properties of DC Mg vs Other Matls

PROPERTY

Units

Condition

AZ91

AM60

Al380
DC

230
150
165
140

220
130
130

320
160

82

UTS
YS (tensile)
(comp)
Shear Str

MPa
MPa
MPa
MPa

Ambient
Ambient

RB Fatigue St
0.1% Creep St

MPa

5 x 10 cyc

MPa

125 C

after 100 hrs

Impact St Unnotch
Notched
Elongation
El Modulus
Shear Modulus
Brinell Hardness
Damping Capacity
Possions Ratio

Joules
Joules
%
GPa
GPa
%

Ambient
Ambient
35 MPa

Al A356
Nylon
T6
30% glass

214

262
185
186
205

60

145

90

34

34

135

6
1.5
3
45
14
65
29
0.35

22
3.2
8 to 15
45

3.5

11

4
72
27
80

5
73
28
80
1.2

60
52
0.35

0.33

ABS

195
170

45
40

8
8.9

17
2.1

2/3 Density Al, Steel

30 x Damping vs Al
200 x Th Cond vs Pl
Th Expansion vs Pl

Higher Specific Strength

Ductility and
Impact Strength
vs HPDC Al.
Higher Stiffness vs
Plastic.
Higher Machinability vs
Al.

(B)
Less Friendly
Material
Properties

Physical/Chem ical Prope rties o f Mg vs Othe r Matls

PROPERTY

Sg Gravity
Th Conductivity
Coeff Th Expan
Specific Heat
Heat of Fusion
Freezing Range

Units Condition

g/cm 3
W/m o K
um/m o K
J/Lo K
kJ/L
o
C

Corrosion wt. loss mg/cm 2/d die cast

3 days@5% NaCl

AZ91

AM60

Al380 Al A356 Nylon

DC
T6 30% glass

1.81
1.79
2.74
2.69
51
61
96
159
26
25.6
22
21.5
1,900
2,640
2,590
673
1,066
470-595 540-615 540-595 555-615
0.02

0.05

0.27

1.4
0.33
34.5

ABS

1.05
0.28
76.5

Mechanic al Properties of DC Mg vs Other Matls

PROPERTY

UTS
YS (tensile)
(comp)
Shear Str
RB Fatigue St
0.1% Creep St
after 100 hrs
Impact St Unnotch
Notched
Elongation
El Modulus
Shear Modulus
Brinell Hardness
Damping Capacity
Possions Ratio

Units

MPa
MPa
MPa
MPa
MPa
MPa
Joules
Joules
%
GPa
GPa
%

Condition

AZ91

AM60

Al380
DC

Ambient
Ambient

230
150
165
140
82
34

220
130
130

320
160

6
1.5
3
45
14
65
29
0.35

22
3.2
8 to 15
45

5 x 108 cyc
125o C

Ambient
Ambient
35 MPa

60
34

60
52
0.35

214
145
135

Al A356
Nylon
T6
30% glass
262
185
186
205
90

3.5

11

4
72
27
80

5
73
28
80
1.2

0.33

ABS

195
170

45
40

8
8.9

17
2.1

Processing
Advantages
of Mg

Vs Aluminum
2/3 Latent Heat/volume. Specific Heat.
Lower Fe Solubility......
2/3 Melting cost . 25% Higher productivity.
1/2 Die life
Higher Fluidity........
Thinner walls (~ 0.8 mm). Complex
shape capability. Unique features can
be cast. Lower draft angles

Higher dimensional stability vs

polymers
Higher tolerances vs aluminum
This enhanced castability of

magnesium
makes it highly suitable for large die
cast components