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Magnesium Alloy AZ61A vs AZ80A

Magnesium Alloy · grade comparison

Magnesium Alloy AZ61A and AZ80A are both magnesium alloy grades, both high strength mg. AZ80A is the stronger of the two: yield strength 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for AZ61A, about 9% more; tensile strength follows at 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi). In exchange, AZ61A is the more ductile: elongation 16% versus 11% for AZ80A. AZ61A conducts electricity better (13.5 % IACS vs 11.5 % IACS). On the shop floor, AZ61A welds better (very good vs fair).

AZ61AChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

AZ80AChoose it when strength drives the design.

AZ61A vs AZ80A: properties

AZ61AAZ80A

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

310 MPa45 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

230 MPa33.4 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

16%
11%

Compressive Strength

130 MPa18.9 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Shear Strength

140 MPa20.3 ksi
165 MPa23.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

125 MPa18.1 ksi
138 MPa20 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

17 MPa·√m15.5 ksi·√in
15 MPa·√m13.7 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

5 J3.7 ft·lbf
4 J3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Vickers

—
68 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 · Hardness, Brinell 60 HB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

510°C950 °F
490°C914 °F

Liquidus Temperature

620°C1,148 °F
610°C1,130 °F

Same in both: Density 1.8 g/cm³0.07 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

80 W/m·K46.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
78 W/m·K45.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,040 J/kg·K0.25 BTU/lb·°F
1,000 J/kg·K0.24 BTU/lb·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

373 J/g160 BTU/lb
370 J/g159 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

130°C266 °F
120°C248 °F

Min Service Temperature

-60°C-76 °F
-70°C-94 °F

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 26 µm/m·K14.4 µin/in·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

13.5 % IACS
11.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.25×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.92 µΩ·in
1.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.91 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-1.55 V
-1.58 V

Corrosion Resistance

18 / 100
20 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

95 / 100
98 / 100

Weldability

70 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

25 / 100
18 / 100

Castability

40 / 100
—

Polishability

60 / 100
55 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 500% · Brazeability / Solderability 20 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

340 MJ/kg146,174 BTU/lb
330 MJ/kg141,875 BTU/lb

Typical Recycled Content

25%
20%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 27 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

172 kN·m/kg
189 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

588 kJ/m³
694 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

42.7 mm²/s
43.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

21
23

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 25 MN·m/kg

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 scaleAZ61AAZ80A

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAZ61AAZ80A
Default conditionFF
Relative cost$$ Standard$$ Standard
Min. machined wall0.8 mm0.8 mm
Best machined surfaceRa 0.8 µmRa 0.8 µm

Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 7 finishes: Anodizing Type II, Chem Film (Alodine), E-Coating, Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE, Hard Anodizing Type III, Painting, Powder Coating.

AZ61A vs AZ80A — frequently asked

Is AZ80A stronger than AZ61A?

Yes. AZ80A has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for AZ61A — about 9% more. Tensile strength is 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi).

Which is cheaper, AZ61A or AZ80A?

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, AZ61A or AZ80A?

AZ61A. Its weldability rates very good (70/100) against fair (45/100) for AZ80A.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AZ61A and AZ80A 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.