AZ91/SiC/15p
AZ91/SiC/15p is a cast AZ91 magnesium alloy reinforced with 15 vol% SiC particulate, a particle-reinforced metal-matrix composite that raises stiffness and wear resistance while keeping magnesium's low density.
Reference datasheet — AZ91/SiC/15p is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the F condition
AZ91/SiC/15p grades and fills
AZ91/SiC/15p is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. F is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Choose when the best available ductility and impact tolerance is needed from the composite. | 120 | 230 | 2.5 | |
FDefault As fabricated | Baseline stir-cast condition: cheapest route, use where stiffness and wear matter more than strength. | 130 | 200 | 1.2 | |
Squeeze cast / pressure infiltrated | Pick when porosity must be minimised and particle distribution uniform for fatigue-loaded parts. | 155 | 240 | 2 | |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Highest hardness/yield and best wear performance; accept the loss of ductility. | 175 | 250 | 1 |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways AZ91/SiC/15p is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
EX | Extruded | Supply option |
What is AZ91/SiC/15p?
AZ91/SiC/15p is a cast AZ91 magnesium alloy reinforced with 15 vol% SiC particulate, a particle-reinforced metal-matrix composite that raises stiffness and wear resistance while keeping magnesium's low density. It is supplied as stir-cast, squeeze-cast (SC) or extruded (EX) stock in F, T4 and T6 conditions, with 130 MPa yield, 200 MPa tensile and 1.2% elongation in the default condition. Ductility is very low, service is capped near 150 °C, the SiC is highly abrasive to tooling, and galvanic corrosion against steel or carbon fibre must be managed. Where elongation or corrosion resistance matters more than density, an Al-SiC composite or A356-T6 is the more practical choice. AZ91/SiC/15p has a density of 2.02 g/cm³ (0.073 lb/in³), heavier than 78% of composite grades. AZ91/SiC/15p has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 68% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 1.2% and the elastic modulus is 57 GPa (8.27 Msi).
What is AZ91/SiC/15p used for?
- automotive lightweight brackets
- electronic housings
- aerospace lightweight castings
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 75 W/m·K (43.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of composite grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 15/100, worse than 100% of composite grades
- High embodied carbon — 30 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 80% of composite grades
- Heavy — 2.02 g/cm³ (0.073 lb/in³), worse than 78% of composite grades
AZ91/SiC/15p properties
Typical room-temperature values for AZ91/SiC/15p-F; bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical1
AZ91/SiC/15p has a density of 2.02 g/cm³ (0.073 lb/in³), heavier than 78% of composite grades.
Mechanical13
AZ91/SiC/15p has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 68% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 1.2% and the elastic modulus is 57 GPa (8.27 Msi).
Thermal6
AZ91/SiC/15p is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 75 W/m·K (43.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 21.5 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
AZ91/SiC/15p has an electrical resistivity of 1.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), worse than 100% of composite grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AZ91/SiC/15p takes about 300 MJ of energy and emits 30 kg of CO₂ — more than 68% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability2
AZ91/SiC/15p's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 63% of composite grades).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the composite family
Yield strength against density for every composite grade FabDigit runs. AZ91/SiC/15p is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with AZ91/SiC/15p
Is AZ91/SiC/15p easy to machine?
Highly abrasive: use PCD or diamond-coated tooling, high speed / light feed, flood or MQL coolant, and treat all Mg chips and fines as a fire hazard (never water-quench).
Can AZ91/SiC/15p be welded?
Fusion welding is generally not recommended — SiC reacts with molten Mg and porosity is severe; join by mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding or friction-stir welding with careful parameter control.
Can AZ91/SiC/15p be formed, bent or molded?
Produced by stir/compo casting or squeeze casting with degassed melt and SF6-free cover gas; cold forming is impractical, hot extrusion at 300-400 °C is possible for billet-to-bar conversion.
AZ91/SiC/15p chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| SiCreinforcement: 15 vol% particulate (typ. 10-20 µm) = ~24 wt%; balance below refers to the AZ91 matrix | 20 – 27 | 23.8 |
| Almatrix basis, ASTM B93 AZ91 | 8.3 – 9.7 | 9 |
| Znmatrix basis | 0.35 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Mnmatrix basis | 0.15 – 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Simatrix impurity limit; excludes SiC reinforcement | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Cumatrix impurity limit | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Nimatrix impurity limit, critical for corrosion | ≤ 0 | |
| Fematrix impurity limit, critical for corrosion | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Mgmatrix balance | balance |
What surface finishes work on AZ91/SiC/15p?
Requires conversion coating or plasma-electrolytic (MAO) anodizing plus a sealer or paint; SiC particles resist the anodic film locally, so coating continuity must be inspected, and direct contact with steel or CFRP must be electrically isolated.
How much does AZ91/SiC/15p cost?
AZ91/SiC/15p is a high-cost composite ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
AZ91/SiC/15p — frequently asked
What is AZ91/SiC/15p used for?
AZ91/SiC/15p is typically used for automotive lightweight brackets, electronic housings and aerospace lightweight castings. In short: lightest structural MMC; stiffer than cast magnesium; very low ductility.
What is the yield strength of AZ91/SiC/15p?
AZ91/SiC/15p has a typical yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 68% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is AZ91/SiC/15p easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 63% of composite grades). Highly abrasive: use PCD or diamond-coated tooling, high speed / light feed, flood or MQL coolant, and treat all Mg chips and fines as a fire hazard (never water-quench).
Can AZ91/SiC/15p be welded?
Fusion welding is generally not recommended — SiC reacts with molten Mg and porosity is severe; join by mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding or friction-stir welding with careful parameter control.
What surface finishes work on AZ91/SiC/15p?
Requires conversion coating or plasma-electrolytic (MAO) anodizing plus a sealer or paint; SiC particles resist the anodic film locally, so coating continuity must be inspected, and direct contact with steel or CFRP must be electrically isolated.
Can AZ91/SiC/15p be formed, bent or molded?
Produced by stir/compo casting or squeeze casting with degassed melt and SF6-free cover gas; cold forming is impractical, hot extrusion at 300-400 °C is possible for billet-to-bar conversion.
What is the maximum service temperature of AZ91/SiC/15p?
AZ91/SiC/15p is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F), and briefly to 200°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between AZ91/SiC/15p F and AZ91/SiC/15p T6?
F is the default condition — baseline stir-cast condition: cheapest route, use where stiffness and wear matter more than strength. T6: highest hardness/yield and best wear performance; accept the loss of ductility. Yield strength is 130 MPa in F versus 175 MPa in T6.
How much does AZ91/SiC/15p cost?
AZ91/SiC/15p is a high-cost composite ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol. 21: Composites — Discontinuously Reinforced Metal-Matrix Composites — ASM International (2001)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys (AZ91 magnesium) — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM B93/B93M — Magnesium Alloys in Ingot Form for Sand, Permanent Mold and Die Castings — ASTM International (2020)
- MMC property compilations (stir-cast AZ91/SiCp studies) — open composites literature (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.