Magnesium Alloy MB1
MB1 is a wrought Mg-Mn alloy analogous to M1A, hardened only by manganese in solution and by cold work, and supplied as sheet, plate, extrusions and forgings in O, H24, F, F-FORGED and R conditions.
Reference datasheet — MB1 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 O condition
MB1 tempers and conditions
MB1 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. O 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault Annealed | Softest, most formable condition — pick for press-brake/hot-formed sheet parts and welded assemblies. | 105 | 225 | 12 | 40 HB | — |
Hot rolled sheet/plate | Economical heavier-gauge plate for machined tooling plates and jigs; intermediate strength, no final anneal. | 140 | 240 | 9 | 45 HB | 33 % IACS |
As fabricated | Standard supply condition for extruded MB1 stock — best all-round strength/ductility balance for machined parts. | 165 | 250 | 12 | 44 HB | — |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Pick when higher sheet strength/stiffness-per-gauge is needed and only mild forming is required. | 180 | 255 | 6 | 48 HB | — |
as forged / die-forged condition | Choose for hot die-forged brackets and housings where flow-line strength and near-net shape matter. | 180 | 260 | 10 | 47 HB | 33 % IACS |
What is MB1?
MB1 is a wrought Mg-Mn alloy analogous to M1A, hardened only by manganese in solution and by cold work, and supplied as sheet, plate, extrusions and forgings in O, H24, F, F-FORGED and R conditions. Engineers pick it for welded sheet and profile assemblies, with 105 MPa yield, 225 MPa tensile, 12% elongation, 40 HB and weldability rated 90. Strength is low for a wrought magnesium, cold formability is poor (score 35) and service is limited to 150 °C, so AZ31 or ZK60 are the alternatives where higher strength or better room-temperature forming is needed. MB1 has a density of 1.76 g/cm³ (0.0636 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 648°C (1,198 °F). MB1 has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) — weaker than 87% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
What is MB1 used for?
- welded sheet structures
- extruded profiles
- fuel tanks
Advantages
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 99% of magnesium alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 138 W/m·K (79.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of magnesium alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 33 % IACS, better than 97% of magnesium alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 35/100, better than 87% of magnesium alloy grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 93% of magnesium alloy grades
- Low strength — 105 MPa (15.2 ksi), worse than 87% of magnesium alloy grades
MB1 properties
Typical room-temperature values for MB1-O; bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
MB1 has a density of 1.76 g/cm³ (0.0636 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 648°C (1,198 °F).
Mechanical12
MB1 has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) — weaker than 87% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
Thermal6
MB1 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 138 W/m·K (79.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of magnesium alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 26 µm/m·K (14.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
MB1 conducts electricity at 33 % IACS, better than 97% of magnesium alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), worse than 57% of magnesium alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of MB1 takes about 300 MJ of energy and emits 28 kg of CO₂ — less than 92% of magnesium alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
MB1's machinability is excellent (93/100, worse than 78% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. MB1 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with MB1
Is MB1 easy to machine?
Machines faster and with lower power than any other structural metal — use sharp, high-rake tools, dry or with mineral oil (never water-based coolant), and keep fine chips wet/contained because they are a fire hazard.
Can MB1 be welded?
Excellent GTAW/GMAW weldability with AZ61A/EZ33 or matching Mg-Mn filler under argon; being aluminium-free it is not prone to weld-zone SCC and post-weld stress relief is usually unnecessary.
Can MB1 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formability is limited by the HCP structure — bend and draw at 230–350 °C with generous radii; extrusion and hot forging behave well at 300–400 °C.
MB1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| MnGB/T 5153 MB1; ASTM M1A specifies Mn 1.2 min | 1.3 – 2.5 | 1.8 |
| Alimpurity limit | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Znimpurity limit | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Feimpurity limit; strongly affects corrosion | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Cuimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Niimpurity limit; strongly affects corrosion | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Caper ASTM M1A | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Mg | balance |
What surface finishes work on MB1?
Always apply chemical conversion (chromate-free per ASTM D1732), Dow 17/HAE anodizing or PEO plus epoxy primer; isolate from steel/brass/carbon-fibre fasteners to avoid galvanic corrosion.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Magnesium Alloy MB1 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- M1A
How much does MB1 cost?
MB1 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.
MB1 — frequently asked
What is MB1 used for?
MB1 is typically used for welded sheet structures, extruded profiles and fuel tanks. In short: most weldable wrought magnesium; aluminium-free, no weld SCC; lower strength than AZ31.
What is the yield strength of MB1?
MB1 has a typical yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) — weaker than 87% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is MB1 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (93/100, worse than 78% of magnesium alloy grades). Machines faster and with lower power than any other structural metal — use sharp, high-rake tools, dry or with mineral oil (never water-based coolant), and keep fine chips wet/contained because they are a fire hazard.
Can MB1 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent GTAW/GMAW weldability with AZ61A/EZ33 or matching Mg-Mn filler under argon; being aluminium-free it is not prone to weld-zone SCC and post-weld stress relief is usually unnecessary.
What surface finishes work on MB1?
Always apply chemical conversion (chromate-free per ASTM D1732), Dow 17/HAE anodizing or PEO plus epoxy primer; isolate from steel/brass/carbon-fibre fasteners to avoid galvanic corrosion.
Can MB1 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formability is limited by the HCP structure — bend and draw at 230–350 °C with generous radii; extrusion and hot forging behave well at 300–400 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of MB1?
MB1 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between MB1-O and MB1-H24?
O is the default condition — softest, most formable condition — pick for press-brake/hot-formed sheet parts and welded assemblies. H24: pick when higher sheet strength/stiffness-per-gauge is needed and only mild forming is required. Yield strength is 105 MPa in O versus 180 MPa in H24.
How much does MB1 cost?
MB1 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
- ASTM B90/B90M Magnesium-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM (2015)
- ASTM B107/B107M Magnesium-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Profiles, Tubes — ASTM (2013)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Magnesium and Magnesium Alloys — ASM International (1999)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.