Reviewed · 2026-08-13
Magnesium Alloys
Magnesium alloys are the lightest common structural metals, purchased through wrought or casting specifications that must control chemistry, temper, texture, porosity, corrosion protection, galvanic isolation and safe processing.
Classification basis
Product route, principal alloying system, temper, corrosion exposure and temperature capability
The taxonomy separates product route from AZ, ZK and rare-earth chemistry systems so buyers can specify both alloy identity and manufacturing acceptance.
A familiar grade name never replaces the governing product specification and certified documentation.01
Explore subcategories
Wrought Magnesium Alloys
Covers mechanically worked products; excludes casting acceptance and chemistry-only substitution.
→MagnesiumCast Magnesium Alloys
Covers casting-route selection; excludes wrought properties and generic ingot chemistry as finished-casting acceptance.
→MagnesiumMagnesium-Aluminum-Zinc Alloys
Includes AZ chemistry systems; excludes treating AZ31 wrought and AZ91 cast data as interchangeable.
→MagnesiumMagnesium-Zinc-Zirconium Alloys
Covers zirconium-refined Mg-Zn wrought systems; excludes rare-earth ZE/WE families and cast-route assumptions.
→MagnesiumRare-Earth Magnesium Alloys
Includes WE, Elektron and related RE systems; excludes generic claims that all rare-earth additions provide the same temperature capability.
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Representative grades and systems
| Grade / system | Use as a selection entry point |
|---|---|
| AZ31B | Choose route before alloy shorthand. |
| AZ91D | Design galvanic isolation and finish with the material. |
| ZK60A | Qualify fire-safe machining and casting integrity. |
| WE43 | Choose route before alloy shorthand. |
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Property framework
Very low density
Route-dependent strength and anisotropy
Galvanic corrosion and temperature limitations
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Common product forms
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Applications
- Transportation structures
- Electronics housings
- Aerospace gearboxes and lightweight machinery
- Choose route before alloy shorthand.
- Design galvanic isolation and finish with the material.
- Qualify fire-safe machining and casting integrity.
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Standards and designation systems
ASTM B90/B91/B107 wrought products
ASTM B80/B94/B199 castings
ASTM B296 temper designation
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Procurement checklist
- State alloy, form specification and temper.
- Define corrosion finish, porosity/NDT or texture requirements.
- Specify chemistry, mechanical tests and lot traceability.
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