Magnesium Alloy MA2-M
Heat-treated state · default condition
M = thermomechanically controlled processed
Standard stocked sheet condition: lowest strength but best warm formability and flatness — pick for pressed/deep-drawn parts.
Values for the M condition
Other MA2 tempers and conditions
MA2 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at MA2.
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 |
MDefaultThis page 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-M?
MA2-M is MA2 heat treated to M — standard stocked sheet condition: lowest strength but best warm formability and flatness — pick for pressed/deep-drawn parts. MA2-M 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). MA2-M 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).
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-M properties
Typical room-temperature values for MA2-M; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are MA2 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
MA2-M 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-M 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-M 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-M 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-M 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-M'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with MA2-M
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).
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.
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 | — |
MA2-M — frequently asked
What is MA2-M used for?
MA2-M 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-M?
MA2-M 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-M 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-M 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-M?
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-M 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-M?
MA2-M 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.