Magnesium Alloy AZ61B
ASTM AZ61B · UNS M11610 · EN MgAl6Zn, 3.5612
AZ61B (UNS M11610, ASTM B107, MgAl6Zn, 3.5612) is a wrought Mg-Al-Zn extrusion and forging alloy, a compositional variant of AZ61A with adjusted impurity limits and used interchangeably with it.
Values for the F condition
AZ61B tempers and conditions
AZ61B 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 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AZ61 filler deposit / welded joint | Reference condition when AZ61B wire is used as GTAW/GMAW filler on AZ31/AZ61 structures or for weld-repair. | 160 | 250 | 8 | 55 HB | 13.5 % IACS |
as-forged / press-forged stock | Use for press forgings and forged blanks where section changes are large; slightly lower strength than extrusions. | 180 | 295 | 12 | 55 HB | 13.8 % IACS |
FDefault As fabricated | Standard stocked condition for AZ61B extrusions; best combination of strength, ductility and cost. | 230 | 310 | 16 | 60 HB | — |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Pick when a modest yield-strength gain over F is needed on heavy extrusions, accepting lower elongation. | 250 | 320 | 12 | 65 HB | 14.2 % IACS |
What is AZ61B?
AZ61B (UNS M11610, ASTM B107, MgAl6Zn, 3.5612) is a wrought Mg-Al-Zn extrusion and forging alloy, a compositional variant of AZ61A with adjusted impurity limits and used interchangeably with it. Supplied as F, T5, forged and as-welded material, it offers 230 MPa yield, 310 MPa tensile strength, 16 % elongation and 60 HB — higher strength than AZ31 — with machinability rated 95/100 and weldability 70/100. Cold formability is poor (25/100) and service is limited to about 120 °C, so warm forming and a protective coating are required; AZ31 is the choice when sheet bending and forming dominate. AZ61B 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). AZ61B 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).
What is AZ61B used for?
- Structural extrusions and profiles
- Aircraft fittings
- Forged brackets and levers
- Bicycle and frame tubing
- Portable equipment housings
- Welded frame assemblies
- Machined jigs and fixture bodies
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 20 MPa·√m (18.2 ksi·√in), better than 100% of magnesium alloy grades
- High strength — 230 MPa (33.4 ksi), better than 93% of magnesium alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 16%, better than 92% of magnesium alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 78% of magnesium alloy grades
AZ61B properties
Typical room-temperature values for AZ61B-F; bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
AZ61B 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
AZ61B 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
AZ61B is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °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
AZ61B conducts electricity at 13.8 % IACS, worse than 61% of magnesium alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), worse than 57% of magnesium alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AZ61B takes about 350 MJ of energy and emits 30 kg of CO₂ — more than 74% of magnesium alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
AZ61B'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.
Strength versus weight in the magnesium alloy family
Yield strength against density for every magnesium alloy grade FabDigit runs. AZ61B is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with AZ61B
Is AZ61B easy to machine?
Outstanding machinability — high speeds, low cutting forces, sharp positive-rake tools, dry or with mineral oil; never use water-based coolant on fine chips and keep swarf collected (fire risk, no water extinguishers).
Can AZ61B be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with AC or pulsed DC using AZ61A/AZ92A filler under argon; preheat 150–250 °C for thick sections, stress relieve to avoid SCC, avoid oxyfuel and flux-heavy processes.
Can AZ61B be formed, bent or molded?
Hot extrudes and forges well at 300–400 °C; cold formability is poor — bend, draw or spin at 200–300 °C with generous radii (min bend radius ≈ 5–7 t cold).
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to AZ61B. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent95 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.7 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 400 / 460 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1.5 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair25 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better70 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
AZ61B 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Alprincipal solid-solution/Mg17Al12 strengthener | 5.8 – 7.2 | 6.5 |
| Zn | 0.4 – 1.5 | 0.9 |
| MnMn controls Fe for corrosion resistance | 0.15 – 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Si | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Cumax; B-variant limits are slightly more permissive than AZ61A (secondary-metal tolerance) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Ni | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Camax, where specified | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Others (each)total others 0.30 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Mg | balance |
What surface finishes work on AZ61B?
Always apply a chromate-free conversion coat, Dow 17/HAE or plasma-electrolytic anodize followed by epoxy primer/topcoat; isolate from steel, brass and carbon fasteners to prevent galvanic pitting.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on magnesium alloy parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Conversion Coating
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Magnesium Alloy AZ61B in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- M11610
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- MgAl6Zn3.5612
- Also called
- AZ61AZ61B-F
- Similar grades
- AZ61A
How much does AZ61B cost?
AZ61B is a standard-cost magnesium alloy ($$), cheaper than about 59% 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.
AZ61B — frequently asked
What is AZ61B used for?
AZ61B is typically used for structural extrusions and profiles, aircraft fittings, forged brackets and levers, bicycle and frame tubing, portable equipment housings and welded frame assemblies. In short: higher-strength wrought magnesium.
What is the yield strength of AZ61B?
AZ61B 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 AZ61B easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades). Outstanding machinability — high speeds, low cutting forces, sharp positive-rake tools, dry or with mineral oil; never use water-based coolant on fine chips and keep swarf collected (fire risk, no water extinguishers).
Can AZ61B be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with AC or pulsed DC using AZ61A/AZ92A filler under argon; preheat 150–250 °C for thick sections, stress relieve to avoid SCC, avoid oxyfuel and flux-heavy processes.
What surface finishes work on AZ61B?
Always apply a chromate-free conversion coat, Dow 17/HAE or plasma-electrolytic anodize followed by epoxy primer/topcoat; isolate from steel, brass and carbon fasteners to prevent galvanic pitting.
Can AZ61B be formed, bent or molded?
Hot extrudes and forges well at 300–400 °C; cold formability is poor — bend, draw or spin at 200–300 °C with generous radii (min bend radius ≈ 5–7 t cold).
What is the maximum service temperature of AZ61B?
AZ61B 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 AZ61B-F and AZ61B-T5?
F is the default condition — standard stocked condition for AZ61B extrusions; best combination of strength, ductility and cost. T5: pick when a modest yield-strength gain over F is needed on heavy extrusions, accepting lower elongation. Yield strength is 230 MPa in F versus 250 MPa in T5.
How much does AZ61B cost?
AZ61B is a standard-cost magnesium alloy ($$), cheaper than about 59% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in AZ61B?
Yes — AZ61B 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)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Magnesium alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials (Magnesium) — ASM International (2005)
- DIN 1729 / material 3.5612 (MgAl6Zn) wrought magnesium alloys — DIN (1982)
- AWS A5.19 — Specification for Magnesium Alloy Welding Electrodes and Rods — AWS (1992)
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.