Magnesium Alloy WE43 vs WE54
Magnesium Alloy · grade comparison
Magnesium Alloy WE43 and WE54 are both magnesium alloy grades. WE54 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) for WE43, about 14% more. In exchange, WE43 is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 4% for WE54, and WE54 is harder (85 HB vs 70 HB). WE54 runs hotter in service (250°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, WE43 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than WE54 (high, $$$$).
WE43Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.
WE54Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
WE43 vs WE54: 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
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
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: Poisson's Ratio 0.27
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 640°C1,184 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 960 J/kg·K0.23 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 26.7 µm/m·K14.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 370 J/g159 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Castability 70 / 100 · Polishability 55 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 400 MJ/kg171,969 BTU/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | WE54 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Default condition | F | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | — |
| Anodizing Type II | Yes | — |
| Chem Film (Alodine) | Yes | — |
| E-Coating | Yes | — |
| Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE | Yes | — |
| Hard Anodizing Type III | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Powder Coating | Yes | — |
WE43 vs WE54 — frequently asked
Is WE54 stronger than WE43?
Yes. WE54 has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) for WE43 — about 14% more. Tensile strength is 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) vs 260 MPa (37.7 ksi).
Which is cheaper, WE43 or WE54?
WE43 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while WE54 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 WE54?
WE54, 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 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.