Magnesium Alloy WE43B AM-AB vs WE43B-T6
Magnesium Alloy · WE43B temper comparison
WE43B AM-AB and WE43B-T6 are two conditions of the same magnesium alloy grade, WE43B: AM-AB (LPBF as-built) versus T6 (solution heat treated and artificially aged). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. WE43B AM-AB is the stronger of the two: yield strength 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) for WE43B-T6, about 14% more. WE43B-T6 is harder — 85 HB against 80 HB for WE43B AM-AB — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. WE43B-T6 runs hotter in service (250°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, WE43B-T6 forms better (25 vs 15 out of 100).
WE43B AM-ABChoose it when strength drives the design.
WE43B-T6Choose it when surface hardness matters, or when the part sees heat.
WE43B AM-AB vs WE43B-T6: 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.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 44 GPa6.4 Msi · Shear Modulus 16.5 GPa2.4 Msi · Bulk Modulus 32 GPa4.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.27 · Elongation at Break 8%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 1.84 g/cm³0.07 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 545°C1,013 °F · 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 966 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 350 J/g150 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).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -1.53 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Castability 75 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 20 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 380 MJ/kg163,371 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 40 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 5%
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.
WE43B AM-AB vs WE43B-T6 — frequently asked
Is WE43B AM-AB stronger than WE43B-T6?
Yes. WE43B AM-AB has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) for WE43B-T6 — about 14% more. Tensile strength is 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) vs 255 MPa (37 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, AM-AB or T6?
T6 is the default WE43B condition in the FabDigit quote flow. The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which is easier to machine, WE43B AM-AB or WE43B-T6?
WE43B-T6, by a small margin. Both rate excellent for machinability — 95/100 against 90/100 for WE43B AM-AB; for welding the order is WE43B-T6 first (very good, 70/100) then WE43B AM-AB (good, 65/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in WE43B AM-AB and WE43B-T6 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.