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AZ91/SiC/15p F (As fabricated)

Temper · default condition

Baseline stir-cast condition: cheapest route, use where stiffness and wear matter more than strength.

High cost $$$$

Values for the F condition

Other AZ91/SiC/15p grades and fills

AZ91/SiC/15p is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at AZ91/SiC/15p.

Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
Solution heat treated and naturally aged
Choose when the best available ductility and impact tolerance is needed from the composite.1202302.5—
FDefaultThis page
As fabricated
Baseline stir-cast condition: cheapest route, use where stiffness and wear matter more than strength.1302001.2—
Squeeze cast / pressure infiltrated
Pick when porosity must be minimised and particle distribution uniform for fatigue-loaded parts.1552402—
Solution heat treated and artificially aged
Highest hardness/yield and best wear performance; accept the loss of ductility.1752501—

What is AZ91/SiC/15p F?

AZ91/SiC/15p F is AZ91/SiC/15p in the F temper — baseline stir-cast condition: cheapest route, use where stiffness and wear matter more than strength. AZ91/SiC/15p F 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). AZ91/SiC/15p F has a density of 2.02 g/cm³ (0.073 lb/in³), heavier than 78% of composite grades.

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 F properties

Typical room-temperature values for AZ91/SiC/15p F; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are AZ91/SiC/15p reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among composite grades.

Physical1

AZ91/SiC/15p F has a density of 2.02 g/cm³ (0.073 lb/in³), heavier than 78% of composite grades.

Density2.02 g/cm³0.07 lb/in³

Mechanical13

AZ91/SiC/15p F 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).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus57 GPa8.3 Msi
Shear Modulus21.8 GPa3.2 Msi
Bulk Modulus50 GPa7.3 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.31
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)200 MPa29 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)130 MPa18.9 ksi
Elongation at Break1.2%
Compressive Strength400 MPa58 ksi
Compressive Modulus57 GPa8.3 Msi
Flexural Strength330 MPa47.9 ksi
Flexural Modulus56 GPa8.1 Msi
Shear Strength145 MPa21 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)11 MPa·√m10 ksi·√in

Thermal6

AZ91/SiC/15p F 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).

Thermal Conductivity75 W/m·K43.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity970 J/kg·K0.23 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)21.5 µm/m·K11.9 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)150°C302 °F
Min Service Temperature-50°C-58 °F
Max Service Temperature (short-term)200°C392 °F

Electrical1

AZ91/SiC/15p F has an electrical resistivity of 1.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.09 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), worse than 100% of composite grades. UV resistance is fair.

Corrosion ResistancePoor15/100
UV / Weathering ResistanceFair45/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryAttacked by water, salt solutions and acids; galvanic corrosion at SiC/Mg interfaces accelerates pitting. Stable in dry air, most alcohols, hydrocarbons, alkalis and fluorides. Requires chemical conversion coating, anodizing (e.g. Keronite/MAO) plus sealing or paint for any humid or marine service; avoid direct contact with steel, brass or carbon fibre parts.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of AZ91/SiC/15p F takes about 300 MJ of energy and emits 30 kg of CO₂ — more than 68% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)300 MJ/kg128,977 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)30 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content5%

Manufacturability2

AZ91/SiC/15p F's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 63% of composite grades).

MachinabilityFair45/100
PolishabilityFair45/100

Common Calculations5

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated99 kN·m/kg
Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated28.2 MN·m/kg
Modulus of Resiliencecalculated148 kJ/m³
Thermal Diffusivitycalculated38.3 mm²/s
Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated12

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with AZ91/SiC/15p F

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.

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.

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
SiCreinforcement: 15 vol% particulate (typ. 10-20 µm) = ~24 wt%; balance below refers to the AZ91 matrix20 – 2723.8
Almatrix basis, ASTM B93 AZ918.3 – 9.79
Znmatrix basis0.35 – 10.7
Mnmatrix basis0.15 – 0.50.25
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 balancebalance—

AZ91/SiC/15p F — frequently asked

What is AZ91/SiC/15p F used for?

AZ91/SiC/15p F 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 F?

AZ91/SiC/15p F 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 F 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 F 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 F?

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 F 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 F?

AZ91/SiC/15p F 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.

Sources

  1. ASM Handbook Vol. 21: Composites — Discontinuously Reinforced Metal-Matrix Composites — ASM International (2001)
  2. ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys (AZ91 magnesium) — ASM International (1990)
  3. ASTM B93/B93M — Magnesium Alloys in Ingot Form for Sand, Permanent Mold and Die Castings — ASTM International (2020)
  4. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.