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Magnesium Alloy AS41B vs ZK61A

Magnesium Alloy · grade comparison

Magnesium Alloy AS41B and ZK61A are both magnesium alloy grades. ZK61A is the stronger of the two: yield strength 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) against 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) for AS41B, about 39% more; tensile strength follows at 310 MPa (45 ksi) vs 215 MPa (31.2 ksi). ZK61A is the more ductile: elongation 10% versus 6% for AS41B, and AS41B is harder (75 HB vs 70 HB). AS41B is lighter (1.77 g/cm³ vs 1.83 g/cm³ for ZK61A) and AS41B runs hotter in service (175°C vs 120°C continuous). On the shop floor, AS41B sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than ZK61A (premium, $$$).

AS41BChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

ZK61AChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

AS41B vs ZK61A: properties

AS41BZK61A

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

215 MPa31.2 ksi
310 MPa45 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

140 MPa20.3 ksi
195 MPa28.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

6%
10%

Compressive Strength

140 MPa20.3 ksi
190 MPa27.6 ksi

Shear Strength

140 MPa20.3 ksi
165 MPa23.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

70 MPa10.2 ksi
90 MPa13.1 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

13 MPa·√m11.8 ksi·√in
14 MPa·√m12.7 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

3 J2.2 ft·lbf
4 J3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

75 HB
70 HB

Hardness, Vickers

—
72 HV

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

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.77 g/cm³0.06 lb/in³
1.83 g/cm³0.07 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

565°C1,049 °F
520°C968 °F

Liquidus Temperature

620°C1,148 °F
635°C1,175 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

68 W/m·K39.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
122 W/m·K70.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,020 J/kg·K0.24 BTU/lb·°F
1,000 J/kg·K0.24 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

26.1 µm/m·K14.5 µin/in·°F
27 µm/m·K15 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

175°C347 °F
120°C248 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 340 J/g146 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -70°C-94 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

13.5 % IACS
25 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.27×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5 µΩ·in
6.9×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.72 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

30 / 100
22 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -1.6 V

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

95 / 100
97 / 100

Weldability

35 / 100
30 / 100

Formability (cold)

10 / 100
15 / 100

Castability

85 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 400% · Brazeability / Solderability 15 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

320 MJ/kg137,575 BTU/lb
300 MJ/kg128,977 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

32 kg CO₂/kg
26 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

30%
20%

Same in both: Embodied Water 500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

121 kN·m/kg
169 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.4 MN·m/kg
24.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

218 kJ/m³
423 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

37.7 mm²/s
66.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

12
31

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.

701001502001.41.51.61.71.8Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleAS41BZK61A

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAS41BZK61A
CNC machiningYes—
Default conditionAs Cast—
Relative cost$$ Standard$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 0.8 µm—
Anodizing Type IIYes—
Chem Film (Alodine)Yes—
E-CoatingYes—
Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFEYes—
Hard Anodizing Type IIIYes—
PaintingYes—
Powder CoatingYes—

AS41B vs ZK61A — frequently asked

Is ZK61A stronger than AS41B?

Yes. ZK61A has a typical yield strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) against 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) for AS41B — about 39% more. Tensile strength is 310 MPa (45 ksi) vs 215 MPa (31.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, AS41B or ZK61A?

AS41B is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while ZK61A is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which welds better, AS41B or ZK61A?

AS41B. Its weldability rates fair (35/100) against poor (30/100) for ZK61A.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AS41B and ZK61A 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.