Magnesium Alloy AM60B vs ZM5
Magnesium Alloy · grade comparison
Magnesium Alloy AM60B and ZM5 are both magnesium alloy grades. AM60B is the stronger of the two: yield strength 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) against 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) for ZM5, about 44% more. AM60B is harder — 62 HB against 55 HB for ZM5 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. AM60B conducts heat better (61 W/m·K vs 51 W/m·K). On the shop floor, ZM5 welds better (good vs fair).
AM60BChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
ZM5Choose it when it will be welded.
AM60B vs ZM5: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all magnesium alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all magnesium alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Reduction in Area
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 45 GPa6.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 17 GPa2.5 Msi · Bulk Modulus 45 GPa6.5 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.35 · Elongation at Break 8% · Shear Strength 140 MPa20.3 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 70 MPa10.2 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,020 J/kg·K0.24 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 373 J/g160 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 120°C248 °F · Min Service Temperature -100°C-148 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Castability
Same in both: Machinability 95 / 100 · Formability (cold) 20 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 20 / 100 · Polishability 55 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 330 MJ/kg141,875 BTU/lb · Embodied Water 500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every magnesium alloy grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | AM60B | ZM5 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Default condition | As Cast | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | — |
| Anodizing Type II | Yes | — |
| Chem Film (Alodine) | Yes | — |
| E-Coating | Yes | — |
| Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE | Yes | — |
| Hard Anodizing Type III | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Powder Coating | Yes | — |
AM60B vs ZM5 — frequently asked
Is AM60B stronger than ZM5?
Yes. AM60B has a typical yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) against 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) for ZM5 — about 44% more. Tensile strength is 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) vs 250 MPa (36.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, AM60B or ZM5?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, AM60B or ZM5?
ZM5. Its weldability rates good (60/100) against fair (40/100) for AM60B.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AM60B and ZM5 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.