Aluminum AlMgSc
EN AlMgSc
AlMgSc is the generic family term for scandium- and zirconium-modified Al-Mg powders offered by several suppliers as lower-cost alternatives to trademarked Scalmalloy.
Reference datasheet — AlMgSc is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the T5 condition
AlMgSc tempers and conditions
AlMgSc is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. T5 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Only for maximum ductility, straightening or secondary forming — Al3(Sc,Zr) coarsens and most of the strength is lost irrecoverably. | 200 | 330 | 21 | 80 HB | 33 % IACS |
As built (as printed) | Pick for maximum ductility, thin lattices or when parts are aged later in an assembly; strength is only about 60 % of aged. | 285 | 420 | 16 | 100 HB | 21 % IACS |
Stress relieved | Use when distortion control on the build plate matters more than peak strength; partially ages the Al3(Sc,Zr) dispersoids. | 400 | 470 | 14 | 126 HB | 26 % IACS |
hot isostatic pressing (~300–350 °C class cycle) followed by direct ageing | Choose for fatigue- or fracture-critical aerospace parts where closing residual LPBF porosity is worth the extra cost. | 435 | 480 | 16 | 136 HB | 29 % IACS |
T5Default Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Standard delivery condition: peak Al3(Sc,Zr) precipitation strength with useful ductility, no solution treatment or quench distortion. | 460 | 500 | 12 | 140 HB | 28 % IACS |
What is AlMgSc?
AlMgSc is the generic family term for scandium- and zirconium-modified Al-Mg powders offered by several suppliers as lower-cost alternatives to trademarked Scalmalloy. Engineers select it for LPBF parts that need high strength with useful ductility: default values are 460 MPa yield, 500 MPa tensile, 12 % elongation, 140 HB, 110 W/m·K and 28 % IACS, with conditions AB, SR, T5, HIP+T5 and O on file. Service is capped at 150 °C because the Sc/Zr dispersoids coarsen, powder handling is moisture- and oxygen-sensitive, and machinability is moderate (score 55). AlSi10Mg is the cheaper option where strength is not the driver. AlMgSc has a density of 2.67 g/cm³ (0.0965 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F). AlMgSc has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — stronger than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is AlMgSc used for?
- aerospace lightweight parts
- high-performance brackets
- fatigue-critical AM components
Advantages
- High strength — 460 MPa (66.7 ksi), better than 92% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 33 MPa·√m (30 ksi·√in), better than 87% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 68/100, better than 75% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 24 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 100% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 110 W/m·K (63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 28 % IACS, worse than 82% of aluminum grades
AlMgSc properties
Typical room-temperature values for AlMgSc-T5; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
AlMgSc has a density of 2.67 g/cm³ (0.0965 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F).
Mechanical14
AlMgSc has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — stronger than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
AlMgSc is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 110 W/m·K (63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.5 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AlMgSc conducts electricity at 28 % IACS, worse than 82% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AlMgSc takes about 260 MJ of energy and emits 24 kg of CO₂ — more than 99% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
AlMgSc's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability fair (45/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the aluminum family
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade FabDigit runs. AlMgSc is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with AlMgSc
Is AlMgSc easy to machine?
Machines like a hard 5083: sharp polished-flute carbide, high rake, high speed and flood coolant to avoid built-up edge; aged parts cut cleaner than as-built.
Can AlMgSc be welded?
Very good for an aluminium AM alloy — Sc/Zr grain refinement suppresses solidification cracking; TIG/FSW with 5356 or matching Al-Mg-Sc filler, then re-age at ~325 °C to restore weld strength.
Can AlMgSc be formed, bent or molded?
Net-shape by LPBF (typ. 20–60 µm layers, preheated plate); powder is highly reactive and moisture-sensitive, so inert handling, sieving and oxygen control below ~0.05 % are essential; little post-print cold forming.
AlMgSc 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mgsolid-solution strengthening, as in 5000 series | 3.8 – 5 | 4.5 |
| Scforms Al3(Sc,Zr); main cost driver | 0.4 – 0.9 | 0.7 |
| Zrco-precipitates with Sc, coarsening resistance | 0.2 – 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Mnsupplier dependent; some variants Mn-free | 0 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Cukept low for corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Opowder oxygen limit (gas atomised) | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on AlMgSc?
Support removal, then blast/tumble or machine critical faces; anodises uniformly (clear or hard coat), chromate-free conversion coatings and paint adhere well; polishing requires prior porosity closure.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on aluminum parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum AlMgSc in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- Scalmalloy
How much does AlMgSc cost?
AlMgSc is a high-cost aluminum ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
AlMgSc — frequently asked
What is AlMgSc used for?
AlMgSc is typically used for aerospace lightweight parts, high-performance brackets and fatigue-critical AM components. In short: strongest weldable AM aluminum; scalmalloy-class alternative; high elongation for LPBF.
What is the yield strength of AlMgSc?
AlMgSc has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — stronger than 92% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is AlMgSc easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades). Machines like a hard 5083: sharp polished-flute carbide, high rake, high speed and flood coolant to avoid built-up edge; aged parts cut cleaner than as-built.
Can AlMgSc be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Very good for an aluminium AM alloy — Sc/Zr grain refinement suppresses solidification cracking; TIG/FSW with 5356 or matching Al-Mg-Sc filler, then re-age at ~325 °C to restore weld strength.
What surface finishes work on AlMgSc?
Support removal, then blast/tumble or machine critical faces; anodises uniformly (clear or hard coat), chromate-free conversion coatings and paint adhere well; polishing requires prior porosity closure.
Can AlMgSc be formed, bent or molded?
Net-shape by LPBF (typ. 20–60 µm layers, preheated plate); powder is highly reactive and moisture-sensitive, so inert handling, sieving and oxygen control below ~0.05 % are essential; little post-print cold forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of AlMgSc?
AlMgSc is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between AlMgSc-T5 and AlMgSc-O?
T5 is the default condition — standard delivery condition: peak Al3(Sc,Zr) precipitation strength with useful ductility, no solution treatment or quench distortion. O: only for maximum ductility, straightening or secondary forming — Al3(Sc,Zr) coarsens and most of the strength is lost irrecoverably. Yield strength is 460 MPa in T5 versus 200 MPa in O.
How much does AlMgSc cost?
AlMgSc is a high-cost aluminum ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Al-Mg-Sc (AlMgScZr) LPBF powder datasheets — AM powder producers (composite of several) (2023)
- Aluminum Association Teal Sheets — 5000-series registrations (base-alloy reference) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.