Magnesium Alloy AZ63A
ASTM AZ63A · UNS M11630
AZ63A is an older general-purpose Mg-6Al-3Zn sand and permanent-mould casting alloy (UNS M11630) available in F, T4, T5 and T6.
Reference datasheet — AZ63A 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 T6 condition
AZ63A tempers and conditions
AZ63A is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. T6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Lowest-cost condition for non-critical or lightly loaded legacy castings; no heat treatment cost or distortion. | 95 | 200 | 6 | 50 HB | 79 W/m·K |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Choose when maximum toughness/ductility and shock resistance are needed at moderate yield strength. | 95 | 275 | 12 | 55 HB | 72 W/m·K |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Cheap ageing-only treatment: modest yield-strength and dimensional-stability gain without solution-treatment distortion. | 105 | 200 | 4 | 55 HB | 79 W/m·K |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard structural condition: best combination of tensile/yield strength and hardness for legacy AZ63A castings. | 130 | 275 | 5 | 73 HB | 76 W/m·K |
What is AZ63A?
AZ63A is an older general-purpose Mg-6Al-3Zn sand and permanent-mould casting alloy (UNS M11630) available in F, T4, T5 and T6. Typical values are about 130 MPa yield, 275 MPa tensile, 5% elongation, 73 HB and 76 W/m·K, and it machines at magnesium speeds (95) while welding better than most magnesium castings (65). Bare corrosion resistance is low (22) and service is limited to roughly 120 °C. AZ91 has displaced it in most new designs, so AZ63A is now mainly specified to match legacy castings and existing drawings. AZ63A has a density of 1.84 g/cm³ (0.0665 lb/in³), heavier than 89% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 455°C (851 °F). AZ63A has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 71% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
What is AZ63A used for?
- Sand-cast housings and gearcases
- Legacy aerospace and industrial castings
- Permanent-mould covers and brackets
- Instrument and equipment frames
- Replacement castings for obsolete assemblies
- Sacrificial anode and cathodic-protection components
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 12 MPa·√m (10.9 ksi·√in), worse than 92% of magnesium alloy grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 78% of magnesium alloy grades
AZ63A properties
Typical room-temperature values for AZ63A-T6; bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
AZ63A has a density of 1.84 g/cm³ (0.0665 lb/in³), heavier than 89% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 455°C (851 °F).
Mechanical13
AZ63A has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 71% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
Thermal6
AZ63A is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 76 W/m·K (43.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 59% of magnesium alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 26 µm/m·K (14.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AZ63A conducts electricity at 14 % IACS, worse than 58% of magnesium alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), worse than 57% of magnesium alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AZ63A takes about 330 MJ of energy and emits 27 kg of CO₂ — less than 56% of magnesium alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
AZ63A's machinability is excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability good (65/100); formability poor (15/100).
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. AZ63A is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with AZ63A
Is AZ63A easy to machine?
Outstanding machinability — high speeds, sharp positive-rake tools, minimal cutting force; keep chips dry and never use water-based coolant near fine swarf (fire risk).
Can AZ63A be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with AZ92A or AZ61A filler in argon; preheat thick sections and re-solution/re-age T4/T6 castings after welding to restore properties.
Can AZ63A be formed, bent or molded?
Sand and permanent-mold casting alloy with good fluidity but needs SF6-free cover gas/flux protection and generous risering; not suitable for cold forming.
AZ63A 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 | 5.3 – 6.7 | 6 |
| Zn | 2.5 – 3.5 | 3 |
| MnMn controls Fe tolerance / corrosion | 0.15 – 0.6 | 0.25 |
| Si | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Nimax — strongly degrades corrosion | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Femax, high-purity practice | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Others (each/total)0.30 total | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Mg | balance |
What surface finishes work on AZ63A?
Always chromate/fluoride conversion coat (ASTM D1732) or apply Dow 17/HAE/PEO anodic coating, then epoxy prime and paint; insulate all steel and copper fasteners to avoid galvanic attack.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Magnesium Alloy AZ63A in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- M11630
How much does AZ63A cost?
AZ63A is a standard-cost magnesium alloy ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
AZ63A — frequently asked
What is AZ63A used for?
AZ63A is typically used for sand-cast housings and gearcases, legacy aerospace and industrial castings, permanent-mould covers and brackets, instrument and equipment frames, replacement castings for obsolete assemblies and sacrificial anode and cathodic-protection components. In short: heat-treatable magnesium casting; legacy alternative to AZ91; best-welding Mg casting alloy.
What is the yield strength of AZ63A?
AZ63A has a typical yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 71% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is AZ63A easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades). Outstanding machinability — high speeds, sharp positive-rake tools, minimal cutting force; keep chips dry and never use water-based coolant near fine swarf (fire risk).
Can AZ63A be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). GTAW/GMAW with AZ92A or AZ61A filler in argon; preheat thick sections and re-solution/re-age T4/T6 castings after welding to restore properties.
What surface finishes work on AZ63A?
Always chromate/fluoride conversion coat (ASTM D1732) or apply Dow 17/HAE/PEO anodic coating, then epoxy prime and paint; insulate all steel and copper fasteners to avoid galvanic attack.
Can AZ63A be formed, bent or molded?
Sand and permanent-mold casting alloy with good fluidity but needs SF6-free cover gas/flux protection and generous risering; not suitable for cold forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of AZ63A?
AZ63A 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 AZ63A-T6 and AZ63A-F?
T6 is the default condition — standard structural condition: best combination of tensile/yield strength and hardness for legacy AZ63A castings. F: lowest-cost condition for non-critical or lightly loaded legacy castings; no heat treatment cost or distortion. Yield strength is 130 MPa in T6 versus 95 MPa in F.
How much does AZ63A cost?
AZ63A is a standard-cost magnesium alloy ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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
- ASTM B80 — Magnesium-Alloy Sand Castings — ASTM International (2015)
- ASTM B93/B93M — Magnesium Alloys in Ingot Form for Sand, Permanent Mold and Die Castings — ASTM International (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Magnesium castings) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Magnesium and Magnesium Alloys — ASM International (1999)
- ASTM D1732 / ASTM B893 — Conversion and anodic coatings on magnesium — ASTM International (2019)
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.