Magnesium Alloy WE43 vs WE43B
Magnesium Alloy · grade comparison
Magnesium Alloy WE43 and WE43B are both magnesium alloy grades. Both yield at about 175 MPa — strength does not separate them. WE43 is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 8% for WE43B, and WE43B is harder (85 HB vs 70 HB). WE43B runs hotter in service (250°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, WE43 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than WE43B (high, $$$$).
WE43Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.
WE43BChoose it when the part sees heat.
WE43 vs WE43B: 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 16.5 GPa2.4 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.27 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 175 MPa25.4 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Density 1.84 g/cm³0.07 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 640°C1,184 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 26.7 µm/m·K14.8 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 11.6 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.48×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.83 µΩ·in
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 %) 300%
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
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 11
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 | WE43 | WE43B |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Default condition | F | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | — |
| Anodizing Type II | Yes | — |
| Chem Film (Alodine) | Yes | — |
| E-Coating | Yes | — |
| Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE | Yes | — |
| Hard Anodizing Type III | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Powder Coating | Yes | — |
WE43 vs WE43B — frequently asked
What is the difference between WE43 and WE43B?
Magnesium Alloy WE43 and WE43B are both magnesium alloy grades. Both yield at about 175 MPa — strength does not separate them. WE43 is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 8% for WE43B, and WE43B is harder (85 HB vs 70 HB).
Which is cheaper, WE43 or WE43B?
WE43 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while WE43B 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, WE43 or WE43B?
WE43B, by a small margin. Both rate excellent for machinability — 95/100 against 88/100 for WE43.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in WE43 and WE43B 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.