Magnesium Alloy AZ31C-F (As fabricated)
Temper · default condition
ASTM AZ31C · UNS M11312
Standard stocked condition for AZ31C extrusions and machined blanks; best balance of strength, straightness and price.
Values for the F condition
Other AZ31C tempers and conditions
AZ31C is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at AZ31C.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum ductility when the sheet must be deep-drawn or warm-formed; lowest yield strength. | 150 | 255 | 21 | 56 HB | 18.5 % IACS |
FDefaultThis page As fabricated | Standard stocked condition for AZ31C extrusions and machined blanks; best balance of strength, straightness and price. | 200 | 260 | 15 | 49 HB | — |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | The usual sheet/plate condition: highest yield strength with useful residual ductility for mild forming and machining. | 220 | 290 | 15 | 73 HB | 18.5 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Occasional heavier-plate/temper-rolled condition when slightly higher strength and flatness are wanted; lower ductility than H24. | 230 | 295 | 12 | 75 HB | 18.5 % IACS |
What is AZ31C-F?
AZ31C-F is AZ31C in the F temper — standard stocked condition for AZ31C extrusions and machined blanks; best balance of strength, straightness and price. AZ31C-F has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) — stronger than 88% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi). AZ31C-F has a density of 1.77 g/cm³ (0.0639 lb/in³), lighter than 86% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 566°C (1,051 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 91% of magnesium alloy grades
- High strength — 200 MPa (29 ksi), better than 88% of magnesium alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 15%, better than 87% of magnesium alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 30/100, better than 82% of magnesium alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 78% of magnesium alloy grades
AZ31C-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for AZ31C-F; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are AZ31C reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
AZ31C-F has a density of 1.77 g/cm³ (0.0639 lb/in³), lighter than 86% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 566°C (1,051 °F).
Mechanical14
AZ31C-F has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) — stronger than 88% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
Thermal6
AZ31C-F is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 96 W/m·K (55.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 50% of magnesium alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 26 µm/m·K (14.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AZ31C-F conducts electricity at 18.5 % IACS, worse than 51% of magnesium alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), worse than 96% of magnesium alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AZ31C-F takes about 355 MJ of energy and emits 32 kg of CO₂ — more than 85% of magnesium alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
AZ31C-F's machinability is excellent (100/100, better than 100% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability poor (30/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with AZ31C-F
Is AZ31C easy to machine?
Machines faster and with lower power than any other structural metal — use sharp, high-rake tools, generous chip clearance, dry or mineral-oil cutting (never water-based coolant) and keep fine chips wet-free and away from ignition sources.
Can AZ31C be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with AZ61A or AZ92A filler using argon or Ar-He; preheat only lightly, avoid Zn-rich fillers, and stress relieve H-temper sheet weldments (~150 °C/1 h) to prevent SCC.
Can AZ31C be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formability is poor because of the basal texture; bend and draw warm (200–300 °C) with heated dies, and use generous bend radii (≥5t cold) or the O temper.
What surface finishes work on AZ31C?
Do not sulfuric-anodize; degrease, acid-pickle then apply a chromate-free conversion coat or Dow 17/HAE/PEO anodic coating followed by epoxy primer and topcoat, and isolate all steel or brass fasteners to avoid galvanic pitting.
AZ31C 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Al | 2.4 – 3.6 | 3 |
| Zn | 0.5 – 1.5 | 1 |
| Mnminimum only in most registrations | ≥ 0.15 | 0.3 |
| Si | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Culooser than AZ31B (0.05 max) — key difference | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Nilooser than AZ31B (0.005 max) | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Ca | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Others (each)total of unspecified elements | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Mgbalance, ~95–96 % | balance | — |
AZ31C-F — frequently asked
What is AZ31C-F used for?
AZ31C-F is typically used for general-purpose extruded profiles, commercial magnesium sheet stock, lightweight equipment covers and panels, instrument and electronics chassis, handheld tool frames and sporting goods and camera bodies. In short: lower-cost AZ31 variant; highest machinability of structural metals; weldable wrought magnesium.
What is the yield strength of AZ31C-F?
AZ31C-F has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) — stronger than 88% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is AZ31C-F easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (100/100, better than 100% of magnesium alloy grades). Machines faster and with lower power than any other structural metal — use sharp, high-rake tools, generous chip clearance, dry or mineral-oil cutting (never water-based coolant) and keep fine chips wet-free and away from ignition sources.
Can AZ31C-F be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with AZ61A or AZ92A filler using argon or Ar-He; preheat only lightly, avoid Zn-rich fillers, and stress relieve H-temper sheet weldments (~150 °C/1 h) to prevent SCC.
What surface finishes work on AZ31C-F?
Do not sulfuric-anodize; degrease, acid-pickle then apply a chromate-free conversion coat or Dow 17/HAE/PEO anodic coating followed by epoxy primer and topcoat, and isolate all steel or brass fasteners to avoid galvanic pitting.
Can AZ31C-F be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formability is poor because of the basal texture; bend and draw warm (200–300 °C) with heated dies, and use generous bend radii (≥5t cold) or the O temper.
What is the maximum service temperature of AZ31C-F?
AZ31C-F is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between AZ31C-F and AZ31C-O?
F is the default condition — standard stocked condition for AZ31C extrusions and machined blanks; best balance of strength, straightness and price. O: pick for maximum ductility when the sheet must be deep-drawn or warm-formed; lowest yield strength. Yield strength is 200 MPa in F versus 150 MPa in O.
Sources
- ASTM B107/B107M — Magnesium-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Profiles, Tubes, and Wire — ASTM International (2013)
- ASTM B90/B90M — Magnesium-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B275 — Codification of Certain Nonferrous Metals and Alloys (UNS M11312) — ASTM International (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Magnesium and Magnesium Alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (Corrosion of Magnesium) — ASM International (2005)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Magnesium and Magnesium Alloys — ASM International (1999)
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.