Magnesium Alloy MA2
MA2 is a GOST general-purpose wrought Mg-Al-Zn alloy equivalent to AZ31B, supplied in the CIS market as sheet, plate, extruded profiles and forgings in M, N, F-EXT, F-FORG and T2 conditions.
Reference datasheet — MA2 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 M condition
MA2 tempers and conditions
MA2 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. M is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cooled from hot working, cold worked and naturally aged | Post-forming or post-weld low-temperature anneal (≈250–350 °C) to remove residual stress and reduce stress-corrosion risk in welded assemblies. | 125 | 245 | 16 | 48 HB | 19 % IACS |
MDefault Thermomechanically controlled processed | Standard stocked sheet condition: lowest strength but best warm formability and flatness — pick for pressed/deep-drawn parts. | 130 | 250 | 15 | 50 HB | — |
F | Forged blanks and die forgings for wheels, levers and airframe fittings where isotropic properties matter more than peak strength. | 155 | 255 | 11 | 54 HB | 18.5 % IACS |
F | Default condition for extruded stock: good longitudinal strength, use for machined housings, frames and tubing. | 165 | 265 | 12 | 55 HB | — |
Normalized | Rolled-hard sheet for flat panels and brackets needing higher yield strength with moderate ductility. | 205 | 285 | 10 | 62 HB | — |
What is MA2?
MA2 is a GOST general-purpose wrought Mg-Al-Zn alloy equivalent to AZ31B, supplied in the CIS market as sheet, plate, extruded profiles and forgings in M, N, F-EXT, F-FORG and T2 conditions. It is chosen where low density must be combined with usable strength: 130 MPa yield, 250 MPa tensile, 15% elongation, 50 HB, machinability 92 and weldability 72. Cold formability is limited (score 45), service temperature is capped near 120 °C, and bare surfaces corrode quickly, so warm forming and conversion coating are standard. MA8 is the alternative when weldability outweighs strength. MA2 has a density of 1.78 g/cm³ (0.0643 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 566°C (1,051 °F). MA2 has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 71% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
What is MA2 used for?
- sheet stock
- extruded profiles
- general fabrication
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), better than 94% of magnesium alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 45/100, better than 94% of magnesium alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 15%, better than 87% of magnesium alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 78% of magnesium alloy grades
MA2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for MA2-M; bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
MA2 has a density of 1.78 g/cm³ (0.0643 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 566°C (1,051 °F).
Mechanical14
MA2 has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 71% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
Thermal6
MA2 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
MA2 conducts electricity at 18.5 % IACS, worse than 51% of magnesium alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (20/100), worse than 77% of magnesium alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of MA2 takes about 320 MJ of energy and emits 33 kg of CO₂ — less than 74% of magnesium alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability8
MA2's machinability is excellent (92/100, worse than 86% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. MA2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with MA2
Is MA2 easy to machine?
Outstanding machinability with sharp, high-rake carbide tools and high speeds — run dry or with mineral oil, never water-based coolant, and collect fine chips wet-free to avoid fire risk.
Can MA2 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded in pure argon with AZ61A/AZ92A filler; preheat thick sections, stress-relieve afterwards, and avoid crevices where flux or oxide can trap moisture.
Can MA2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formability is poor (HCP basal texture); bend, draw and spin at 230–350 °C with heated dies and generous bend radii (≥5t cold, ≥2t warm).
MA2 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 | 3 – 4 | 3.5 |
| Zn | 0.2 – 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Mnadded for Fe control / corrosion | 0.15 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Cuimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Niimpurity limit | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Bemelt-protection addition | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Others (each)total others ≤ 0.3 | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Mg | balance |
What surface finishes work on MA2?
Requires protection: chromate/fluoride conversion coat, HAE/Dow-17 or plasma electrolytic oxidation plus epoxy primer; isolate from steel and copper fasteners to prevent galvanic attack.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Magnesium Alloy MA2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- AZ31B
How much does MA2 cost?
MA2 is a premium-cost magnesium alloy ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
MA2 — frequently asked
What is MA2 used for?
MA2 is typically used for sheet stock, extruded profiles and general fabrication. In short: standard wrought Mg sheet; weldable general-purpose grade; needs warm forming.
What is the yield strength of MA2?
MA2 has a typical yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 71% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is MA2 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (92/100, worse than 86% of magnesium alloy grades). Outstanding machinability with sharp, high-rake carbide tools and high speeds — run dry or with mineral oil, never water-based coolant, and collect fine chips wet-free to avoid fire risk.
Can MA2 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded in pure argon with AZ61A/AZ92A filler; preheat thick sections, stress-relieve afterwards, and avoid crevices where flux or oxide can trap moisture.
What surface finishes work on MA2?
Requires protection: chromate/fluoride conversion coat, HAE/Dow-17 or plasma electrolytic oxidation plus epoxy primer; isolate from steel and copper fasteners to prevent galvanic attack.
Can MA2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formability is poor (HCP basal texture); bend, draw and spin at 230–350 °C with heated dies and generous bend radii (≥5t cold, ≥2t warm).
What is the maximum service temperature of MA2?
MA2 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 MA2-M and MA2-N?
M is the default condition — standard stocked sheet condition: lowest strength but best warm formability and flatness — pick for pressed/deep-drawn parts. N: rolled-hard sheet for flat panels and brackets needing higher yield strength with moderate ductility. Yield strength is 130 MPa in M versus 205 MPa in N.
How much does MA2 cost?
MA2 is a premium-cost magnesium alloy ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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
- GOST 14957-76 — Wrought magnesium alloys, grades and chemical composition — Gosstandart (1976)
- GOST 22635-77 / GOST 21990-76 — Magnesium alloy sheets and extruded sections — Gosstandart (1977)
- ASTM B90/B90M — Magnesium-Alloy Sheet and Plate (AZ31B) — ASTM (2021)
- ASTM B107/B107M — Magnesium-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Profiles, Tubes — ASTM (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Magnesium) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion of Magnesium and Magnesium Alloys — 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; 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.