Magnesium Alloy AWS BMg-1 vs AZ31B
Magnesium Alloy · grade comparison
Magnesium Alloy AWS BMg-1 and AZ31B are both magnesium alloy grades. AZ31B is the stronger of the two: yield strength 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) for AWS BMg-1, about 58% more; tensile strength follows at 255 MPa (37 ksi) vs 165 MPa (23.9 ksi). AZ31B is the more ductile: elongation 21% versus 3% for AWS BMg-1, and AWS BMg-1 is harder (63 HB vs 49 HB). AZ31B conducts heat better (96 W/m·K vs 68 W/m·K). On the shop floor, AZ31B sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than AWS BMg-1 (high, $$$$).
AZ31BChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
AWS BMg-1 vs AZ31B: 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.
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 45 GPa6.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 17 GPa2.5 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.35
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
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,000 J/kg·K0.24 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 26 µm/m·K14.4 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 340 J/g146 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 120°C248 °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
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 400%
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
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 | AWS BMg-1 | AZ31B |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$ 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 |
AWS BMg-1 vs AZ31B — frequently asked
Is AZ31B stronger than AWS BMg-1?
Yes. AZ31B has a typical yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) for AWS BMg-1 — about 58% more. Tensile strength is 255 MPa (37 ksi) vs 165 MPa (23.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, AWS BMg-1 or AZ31B?
AZ31B is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while AWS BMg-1 is high ($$$$). 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, AWS BMg-1 or AZ31B?
AZ31B. Its weldability rates very good (70/100) against good (65/100) for AWS BMg-1.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AWS BMg-1 and AZ31B 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.