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Magnesium Alloy AZ61A vs LA141A

Magnesium Alloy · grade comparison

Magnesium Alloy AZ61A and LA141A are both magnesium alloy grades. AZ61A is the stronger of the two: yield strength 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) against 117 MPa (17 ksi) for LA141A, about 97% more; tensile strength follows at 310 MPa (45 ksi) vs 150 MPa (21.8 ksi). In exchange, LA141A is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 16% for AZ61A, and AZ61A is harder (60 HB vs 55 HB). LA141A is lighter (1.35 g/cm³ vs 1.8 g/cm³ for AZ61A) and AZ61A runs hotter in service (130°C vs 65°C continuous). On the shop floor, AZ61A welds better (very good vs fair) and AZ61A sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than LA141A (high, $$$$).

AZ61AChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

LA141AChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

AZ61A vs LA141A: properties

AZ61ALA141A

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

45 GPa6.5 Msi
43 GPa6.2 Msi

Shear Modulus

17 GPa2.5 Msi
16 GPa2.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

45 GPa6.5 Msi
38 GPa5.5 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.35
0.36

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

310 MPa45 ksi
150 MPa21.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

230 MPa33.4 ksi
117 MPa17 ksi

Elongation at Break

16%
18%

Compressive Strength

130 MPa18.9 ksi
110 MPa16 ksi

Shear Strength

140 MPa20.3 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

125 MPa18.1 ksi
60 MPa8.7 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

17 MPa·√m15.5 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

5 J3.7 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

60 HB
55 HB

Hardness, Vickers

—
58 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.8 g/cm³0.07 lb/in³
1.35 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

510°C950 °F
570°C1,058 °F

Liquidus Temperature

620°C1,148 °F
600°C1,112 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

80 W/m·K46.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
55 W/m·K31.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,040 J/kg·K0.25 BTU/lb·°F
1,350 J/kg·K0.32 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

26 µm/m·K14.4 µin/in·°F
26.5 µm/m·K14.7 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

373 J/g160 BTU/lb
360 J/g155 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

130°C266 °F
65°C149 °F

Min Service Temperature

-60°C-76 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

13.5 % IACS
14 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.25×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.92 µΩ·in
1.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.72 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-1.55 V
-1.7 V

Corrosion Resistance

18 / 100
8 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

95 / 100
88 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

500%
400%

Weldability

70 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

25 / 100
85 / 100

Castability

40 / 100
30 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

20 / 100
15 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

340 MJ/kg146,174 BTU/lb
400 MJ/kg171,969 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

27 kg CO₂/kg
32 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

25%
5%

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

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

172 kN·m/kg
111 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25 MN·m/kg
31.9 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

588 kJ/m³
159 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

42.7 mm²/s
30.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

21
7

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 scaleAZ61ALA141A

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAZ61ALA141A
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionF—
Relative cost$$ Standard$$$$ High
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—

AZ61A vs LA141A — frequently asked

Is AZ61A stronger than LA141A?

Yes. AZ61A has a typical yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) against 117 MPa (17 ksi) for LA141A — about 97% more. Tensile strength is 310 MPa (45 ksi) vs 150 MPa (21.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, AZ61A or LA141A?

AZ61A is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while LA141A is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, AZ61A or LA141A?

AZ61A, by a small margin. Both rate excellent for machinability — 95/100 against 88/100 for LA141A; for welding the order is AZ61A first (very good, 70/100) then LA141A (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AZ61A and LA141A 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.