Magnesium Alloy AZ61B · temper · default condition
Magnesium Alloy AZ61B-F
Properties of the F condition, compared with the other AZ61B tempers.
Standard stocked condition for AZ61B extrusions; best combination of strength, ductility and cost.
What is AZ61B-F?
AZ61B-F is AZ61B in the F temper — standard stocked condition for AZ61B extrusions; best combination of strength, ductility and cost. AZ61B-F has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 93% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi). AZ61B-F has a density of 1.8 g/cm³ (0.065 lb/in³), lighter than 63% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 510°C (950 °F).
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 20 MPa·√m (18.2 ksi·√in), better than 100% of magnesium alloy grades
- High strength — 230 MPa (33.4 ksi), better than 93% of magnesium alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 16%, better than 92% of magnesium alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 78% of magnesium alloy grades
AZ61B-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for AZ61B-F — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every AZ61B temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the magnesium alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
AZ61B-F has a density of 1.8 g/cm³ (0.065 lb/in³), lighter than 63% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 510°C (950 °F).
Mechanical13
AZ61B-F has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 93% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
Thermal6
AZ61B-F is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 80 W/m·K (46.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of magnesium alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 26 µm/m·K (14.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AZ61B-F conducts electricity at 13.8 % IACS, worse than 61% of magnesium alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), worse than 57% of magnesium alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AZ61B-F takes about 350 MJ of energy and emits 30 kg of CO₂ — more than 74% of magnesium alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
AZ61B-F's machinability is excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other AZ61B tempers and conditions
AZ61B is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the AZ61B overview.
- FDefaultStandard stocked condition for AZ61B extrusions; best combination of strength, ductility and cost.230 MPa yield · 60 HB
- T5Pick when a modest yield-strength gain over F is needed on heavy extrusions, accepting lower elongation.250 MPa yield · 65 HB
Working with AZ61B-F
Is AZ61B easy to machine?
Outstanding machinability — high speeds, low cutting forces, sharp positive-rake tools, dry or with mineral oil; never use water-based coolant on fine chips and keep swarf collected (fire risk, no water extinguishers).
Can AZ61B be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with AC or pulsed DC using AZ61A/AZ92A filler under argon; preheat 150–250 °C for thick sections, stress relieve to avoid SCC, avoid oxyfuel and flux-heavy processes.
Can AZ61B be formed, bent or molded?
Hot extrudes and forges well at 300–400 °C; cold formability is poor — bend, draw or spin at 200–300 °C with generous radii (min bend radius ≈ 5–7 t cold).
What surface finishes work on AZ61B?
Always apply a chromate-free conversion coat, Dow 17/HAE or plasma-electrolytic anodize followed by epoxy primer/topcoat; isolate from steel, brass and carbon fasteners to prevent galvanic pitting.
AZ61B chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Alprincipal solid-solution/Mg17Al12 strengthener | 5.8 – 7.2 | 6.5 |
| Zn | 0.4 – 1.5 | 0.9 |
| MnMn controls Fe for corrosion resistance | 0.15 – 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Si | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Cumax; B-variant limits are slightly more permissive than AZ61A (secondary-metal tolerance) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Ni | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Fe | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Camax, where specified | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Others (each)total others 0.30 max | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Mg | balance | — |
AZ61B-F — frequently asked
What is AZ61B-F used for?
AZ61B-F is typically used for structural extrusions and profiles, aircraft fittings, forged brackets and levers, bicycle and frame tubing, portable equipment housings and welded frame assemblies. In short: higher-strength wrought magnesium.
What is the yield strength of AZ61B-F?
AZ61B-F has a typical yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 93% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is AZ61B-F easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades). Outstanding machinability — high speeds, low cutting forces, sharp positive-rake tools, dry or with mineral oil; never use water-based coolant on fine chips and keep swarf collected (fire risk, no water extinguishers).
Can AZ61B-F be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with AC or pulsed DC using AZ61A/AZ92A filler under argon; preheat 150–250 °C for thick sections, stress relieve to avoid SCC, avoid oxyfuel and flux-heavy processes.
What surface finishes work on AZ61B-F?
Always apply a chromate-free conversion coat, Dow 17/HAE or plasma-electrolytic anodize followed by epoxy primer/topcoat; isolate from steel, brass and carbon fasteners to prevent galvanic pitting.
Can AZ61B-F be formed, bent or molded?
Hot extrudes and forges well at 300–400 °C; cold formability is poor — bend, draw or spin at 200–300 °C with generous radii (min bend radius ≈ 5–7 t cold).
What is the maximum service temperature of AZ61B-F?
AZ61B-F is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between AZ61B-F and AZ61B-T5?
F is the default condition — standard stocked condition for AZ61B extrusions; best combination of strength, ductility and cost. T5: pick when a modest yield-strength gain over F is needed on heavy extrusions, accepting lower elongation. Yield strength is 230 MPa in F versus 250 MPa in T5.
Can FabDigit make parts in AZ61B-F?
Yes — AZ61B-F is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B107/B107M — Magnesium-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Profiles, Tubes, and Wire — ASTM International (2013)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Magnesium alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials (Magnesium) — ASM International (2005)
- DIN 1729 / material 3.5612 (MgAl6Zn) wrought magnesium alloys — DIN (1982)
- AWS A5.19 — Specification for Magnesium Alloy Welding Electrodes and Rods — AWS (1992)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.