Magnesium Alloy AZ61A · temper · default condition
Magnesium Alloy AZ61A-F
Properties of the F condition, compared with the other AZ61A tempers.
Standard stocked condition for AZ61A bar, rod, tube and profile per ASTM B107; pick it for general structural extrusions and machined parts.
What is AZ61A-F?
AZ61A-F is AZ61A in the F temper — standard stocked condition for AZ61A bar, rod, tube and profile per ASTM B107; pick it for general structural extrusions and machined parts. AZ61A-F has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 93% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi). AZ61A-F has a density of 1.8 g/cm³ (0.065 lb/in³), lighter than 63% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 510°C (950 °F).
Advantages
- High strength — 230 MPa (33.4 ksi), better than 93% of magnesium alloy grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), better than 93% of magnesium alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 16%, better than 92% of magnesium alloy grades
AZ61A-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for AZ61A-F — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every AZ61A temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the magnesium alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
AZ61A-F has a density of 1.8 g/cm³ (0.065 lb/in³), lighter than 63% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 510°C (950 °F).
Mechanical13
AZ61A-F has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 93% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
Thermal6
AZ61A-F is rated for continuous service to 130°C (266 °F). It conducts heat at 80 W/m·K (46.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of magnesium alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 26 µm/m·K (14.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AZ61A-F conducts electricity at 13.5 % IACS, worse than 64% of magnesium alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (18/100), worse than 88% of magnesium alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AZ61A-F takes about 340 MJ of energy and emits 27 kg of CO₂ — more than 59% of magnesium alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
AZ61A-F's machinability is excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other AZ61A tempers and conditions
AZ61A is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the AZ61A overview.
- FDefaultStandard stocked condition for AZ61A bar, rod, tube and profile per ASTM B107; pick it for general structural extrusions and machined parts.230 MPa yield · 60 HB
- As ExtrudedUse for extruded product where the wrought texture of the extrusion is the delivered state; strength rises slightly in thin sections and small diameters.235 MPa yield · 60 HB
Working with AZ61A-F
Is AZ61A easy to machine?
Exceptional machinability — high speeds, low power, sharp tools with generous rake; use dry or mineral-oil coolant (never water-based), keep chips dry and have Class D powder on hand for fire risk.
Can AZ61A be welded?
GTAW/GMAW readily with ER AZ61A or AZ92A filler in argon or He-Ar; preheat thick sections, avoid crater cracks and stress-relieve (≈260 °C/15 min) welded assemblies to prevent chloride SCC.
Can AZ61A be formed, bent or molded?
Extrude and forge hot at ~300–400 °C; cold bending is very limited (large bend radii, ≥5t), so bending, stretching and deep drawing should be done warm.
What surface finishes work on AZ61A?
Not anodizable in the aluminium sense — clean/pickle, apply chrome-free or chromate conversion coat or a Dow 17/HAE/PEO anodic layer, then epoxy prime and paint; insulate all steel/brass fasteners to stop galvanic attack.
AZ61A 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 | 5.8 – 7.2 | 6.5 |
| Zn | 0.4 – 1.5 | 1 |
| Mn0.15 % min (Mn min may be waived if Fe/Mn ratio limits are met) | ≥ 0.15 | 0.25 |
| Si | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Cu | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Ni | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Fe | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Other (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others total | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Mg | balance | — |
AZ61A-F — frequently asked
What is AZ61A-F used for?
AZ61A-F is typically used for aerospace brackets and fittings, bicycle wheel rims and frame tubing, extruded structural profiles, forged lever and linkage arms, portable equipment frames and welded magnesium tube assemblies. In short: higher-strength magnesium bar.
What is the yield strength of AZ61A-F?
AZ61A-F has a typical yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 93% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is AZ61A-F easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades). Exceptional machinability — high speeds, low power, sharp tools with generous rake; use dry or mineral-oil coolant (never water-based), keep chips dry and have Class D powder on hand for fire risk.
Can AZ61A-F be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). GTAW/GMAW readily with ER AZ61A or AZ92A filler in argon or He-Ar; preheat thick sections, avoid crater cracks and stress-relieve (≈260 °C/15 min) welded assemblies to prevent chloride SCC.
What surface finishes work on AZ61A-F?
Not anodizable in the aluminium sense — clean/pickle, apply chrome-free or chromate conversion coat or a Dow 17/HAE/PEO anodic layer, then epoxy prime and paint; insulate all steel/brass fasteners to stop galvanic attack.
Can AZ61A-F be formed, bent or molded?
Extrude and forge hot at ~300–400 °C; cold bending is very limited (large bend radii, ≥5t), so bending, stretching and deep drawing should be done warm.
What is the maximum service temperature of AZ61A-F?
AZ61A-F is rated for continuous use to about 130°C (266 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in AZ61A-F?
Yes — AZ61A-F is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B107/B107M — Magnesium-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Profiles, Tubes, and Wire — ASTM International (2013)
- ASTM B91 — Magnesium-Alloy Forgings — ASTM International (2017)
- AWS A5.19 / SFA-5.19 — Magnesium Alloy Welding Electrodes and Rods — AWS (1992)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- 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.