Magnesium AZ91B-F (UNS M11912)

Image of Magnesium AZ91B-F bars
Credit: CSIRO, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Magnesium AZ91B-F is a widely used magnesium alloy known for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, good castability, and mechanical performance. This alloy is particularly valued in die casting processes for its balance of strength, ductility, and toughness, making it suitable for high-performance lightweight applications.

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Chemical Composition
ElementMinMax
Magnesium——Remainder
Aluminum8.3%9.7%
Copper——0.35%
Manganese0.13%——
Nickel——0.03%
Silicon——0.5%
Zinc0.35%1.0%

The following table provides a list of magnesium AZ91B-F properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units.

Click on the button to switch between Metric and Imperial units.

Table of Magnesium AZ91B-F Properties
Physical Properties
Metric
Density1810 kg/m3
Mechanical PropertiesMetric
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)230 MPa
Tensile Strength (Yield)150 MPa
Compressive Strength (Yield)165 MPa
Fatigue Strength # of Cycles 1.0e+752 - 65 MPa
Shear Strength140 MPa
Young’s Modulus (E)44.8 GPa
Shear Modulus (G)17 GPa
Elongation at Break in 50 mm3%
Poisson’s Ratio (ν)0.35
Brinell Hardness 500 kg load, 10 mm ball63
Knoop Hardness Converted from Brinell84
Rockwell Hardness75
Vickers Hardness Converted from Brinell71
Machinability100%
Charpy Impact V-notch2.70 J
Thermal PropertiesMetric
Melting Point Incipient Melting≥ 421 °C
Solidus470 °C
Liquidus595 °C
Thermal Conductivity72.7 W/m·K
Specific Heat Capacity (Cp)1047 J/kg·K
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL)26.0 1/°C
Heat of Fusion373 J/g

The values in this table are approximate and can vary depending on various factors such as the specific manufacturing process and heat treatment applied to the alloy.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Magnesium AZ91B-F

AdvantagesDisadvantages
LightweightFlammability
High strength-to-weight ratioCorrosion susceptibility
Good castabilityLimited temperature range
Enhanced mechanical propertiesHigher cost
Good electrical and thermal conductivityLimited weldability
Excellent damping capacityPotential for galvanic corrosion

Applications of Magnesium AZ91B-F

Thanks to its favorable strength-to-weight ratio and castability, magnesium AZ91B-F is used across diverse industries, including:

  • Automotive Industry: Used for components requiring lightweight construction, such as engine blocks, transmission cases, intake manifolds, steering columns, and instrument panels.
  • Aerospace Industry: Its low weight makes it ideal for aircraft components like seat frames, brackets, and structural parts, contributing to fuel efficiency and performance.
  • Electronics and Communication: Utilized in devices where weight reduction and electromagnetic shielding are critical, including laptops, tablets, smartphones, and portable electronics.
  • Sports and Recreation: Common in sporting goods such as bicycle frames, golf club heads, tennis rackets, and camping gear due to its lightness, strength, and vibration-damping ability.
  • Industrial Machinery: Employed in machinery components, power tool housings, and die-cast parts that benefit from a strong yet lightweight structure.
  • Medical Equipment: Explored for biocompatible uses like orthopedic implants, surgical instruments, and casings for medical devices.
  • Consumer Goods: Found in products such as camera bodies, portable audio devices, and other lightweight consumer electronics.
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