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Magnesium Alloy EV31A vs ZE41

Magnesium Alloy · grade comparison

Magnesium Alloy EV31A and ZE41 are both magnesium alloy grades. ZE41 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for EV31A, about 27% more. In exchange, EV31A is the more ductile: elongation 4% versus 3.5% for ZE41, and ZE41 is harder (62 HB vs 55 HB). ZE41 conducts heat better (113 W/m·K vs 100 W/m·K). On the shop floor, EV31A sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than ZE41 (premium, $$$).

EV31AChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

ZE41Choose it when strength drives the design.

EV31A vs ZE41: properties

EV31AZE41

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

17 GPa2.5 Msi
16.5 GPa2.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

38 GPa5.5 Msi
45 GPa6.5 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.28
0.35

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

195 MPa28.3 ksi
205 MPa29.7 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

110 MPa16 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

4%
3.5%

Compressive Strength

115 MPa16.7 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Shear Strength

125 MPa18.1 ksi
160 MPa23.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

80 MPa11.6 ksi
69 MPa10 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

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

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

3 J2.2 ft·lbf
3 J2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

55 HB
62 HB

Hardness, Vickers

58 HV
65 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 44 GPa6.4 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.82 g/cm³0.07 lb/in³
1.84 g/cm³0.07 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

545°C1,013 °F
510°C950 °F

Liquidus Temperature

640°C1,184 °F
645°C1,193 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

100 W/m·K57.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
113 W/m·K65.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

26.7 µm/m·K14.8 µin/in·°F
26.1 µm/m·K14.5 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

370 J/g159 BTU/lb
340 J/g146 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-70°C-94 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,000 J/kg·K0.24 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 150°C302 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

9.5 % IACS
25 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.09 µΩ·in
6.8×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.68 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

30 / 100
18 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -1.55 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

90 / 100
96 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

300%
400%

Weldability

72 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

85 / 100
88 / 100

Same in both: Formability (cold) 10 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 20 / 100 · Polishability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

400 MJ/kg171,969 BTU/lb
300 MJ/kg128,977 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

42 kg CO₂/kg
26 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

600 L/kg71.9 gal/lb
500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

15%
25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

107 kN·m/kg
111 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.2 MN·m/kg
23.9 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

138 kJ/m³
223 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

54.9 mm²/s
61.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

17
20

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 scaleEV31AZE41

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityEV31AZE41
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—

EV31A vs ZE41 — frequently asked

Is ZE41 stronger than EV31A?

Yes. ZE41 has a typical yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for EV31A — about 27% more. Tensile strength is 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) vs 195 MPa (28.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, EV31A or ZE41?

EV31A is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while ZE41 is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, EV31A or ZE41?

ZE41, by a small margin. Both rate excellent for machinability — 96/100 against 90/100 for EV31A.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in EV31A and ZE41 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.