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Magnesium Alloy QE22A vs WE54

Magnesium Alloy · grade comparison

Magnesium Alloy QE22A and WE54 are both magnesium alloy grades. Both yield at about 195 MPa — strength does not separate them. WE54 is the more ductile: elongation 4% versus 3% for QE22A, and WE54 is harder (85 HB vs 80 HB). QE22A conducts heat better (113 W/m·K vs 51 W/m·K).

WE54Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

QE22A vs WE54: properties

QE22AWE54

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

45 GPa6.5 Msi
32 GPa4.6 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.35
0.27

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

260 MPa37.7 ksi
270 MPa39.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

195 MPa28.3 ksi
200 MPa29 ksi

Elongation at Break

3%
4%

Compressive Strength

340 MPa49.3 ksi
200 MPa29 ksi

Shear Strength

150 MPa21.8 ksi
155 MPa22.5 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

90 MPa13.1 ksi
105 MPa15.2 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

15 MPa·√m13.7 ksi·√in
14 MPa·√m12.7 ksi·√in

Hardness, Brinell

80 HB
85 HB

Hardness, Vickers

—
90 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 44 GPa6.4 Msi · Shear Modulus 17 GPa2.5 Msi · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 3 J2.2 ft·lbf

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

549°C1,020 °F
545°C1,013 °F

Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 640°C1,184 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

113 W/m·K65.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
51 W/m·K29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,000 J/kg·K0.24 BTU/lb·°F
960 J/kg·K0.23 BTU/lb·°F

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 26.7 µm/m·K14.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 370 J/g159 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 250°C482 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

25 % IACS
11.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6.8×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.68 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
-1.6 V

Corrosion Resistance

30 / 100
32 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

92 / 100
95 / 100

Weldability

65 / 100
70 / 100

Formability (cold)

10 / 100
15 / 100

Castability

78 / 100
70 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 400% · Brazeability / Solderability 20 / 100 · Polishability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

370 MJ/kg159,072 BTU/lb
400 MJ/kg171,969 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

32 kg CO₂/kg
45 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
800 L/kg95.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 15%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

143 kN·m/kg
146 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.2 MN·m/kg
23.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

432 kJ/m³
455 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

62.1 mm²/s
28.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

25
12

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 scaleQE22AWE54

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityQE22AWE54
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

QE22A vs WE54 — frequently asked

What is the difference between QE22A and WE54?

Magnesium Alloy QE22A and WE54 are both magnesium alloy grades. Both yield at about 195 MPa — strength does not separate them. WE54 is the more ductile: elongation 4% versus 3% for QE22A, and WE54 is harder (85 HB vs 80 HB).

Which is cheaper, QE22A or WE54?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which welds better, QE22A or WE54?

WE54. Its weldability rates very good (70/100) against good (65/100) for QE22A.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in QE22A and WE54 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.