Magnesium WE43-T6 (UNS M18430)

Image of Magnesium WE43-T6 bars
Credit: CSIRO, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

WE43-T6 is a premium magnesium alloy recognized for its remarkable strength, excellent creep resistance, and superior weldability. Its lightweight nature and robust mechanical properties make it a preferred choice in demanding applications, particularly within aerospace sectors, including aircraft components and spacecraft structures.

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Chemical Composition
ElementMinMax
Magnesium——Remainder
Copper——0.03%
Lithium——0.2%
Manganese——0.15%
Neodymium2.4%4.4%
Nickel——0.005%
Silicon——0.01%
Yttrium3.7%4.3%
Zinc——0.2%
Zirconium0.4%1.0%

The following table provides a list of magnesium WE43-T6 properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units.

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

Table of Magnesium WE43-T6 Properties
Physical Properties
Metric
Density1840 kg/m3
Mechanical PropertiesMetric
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)250 MPa
Tensile Strength (Yield)162 MPa
Young’s Modulus (E)44.2 GPa
Shear Modulus (G)17 GPa
Poisson’s Ratio (ν)0.27
Brinell Hardness 500 kg load, 10 mm ball85
Knoop Hardness Converted from Brinell109
Vickers Hardness Converted from Brinell96
Thermal PropertiesMetric
Melting Point545 - 640 °C
Solidus545 °C
Liquidus640 °C
Thermal Conductivity51.3 W/m·K
Electrical PropertiesMetric
Electrical Resistivity1.48×10-5 Ω·cm

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 WE43-T6

AdvantagesDisadvantages
StrongCorrosion-prone
LightweightHigh cost
Corrosion-resistantDifficult to machine
WeldableLow melting point

Applications of Magnesium WE43-T6

WE43-T6 offers versatile performance across multiple industries, making it suitable for critical components including:

  • Aerospace: Used in construction of aircraft bodies, engine parts, and landing gear.
  • Automotive: Applied in engine blocks, transmission housings, and suspension components.
  • Marine: Utilized in boat hulls, propellers, and rudders.
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