Magnesium Alloy MB3 Forged
Supply condition
Forged = press forged and stress relieved
Die-forged billet for structural fittings; properties similar to extruded but more isotropic.
Values for the Forged condition
Other MB3 tempers and conditions
MB3 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at MB3.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thermomechanically controlled processed | Softest condition for sheet that must be hot-formed, deep drawn or stress-relieved after welding. | 130 | 235 | 16 | 48 HB | 16 % IACS |
ForgedThis page Press forged and stress relieved | Die-forged billet for structural fittings; properties similar to extruded but more isotropic. | 155 | 250 | 11 | 54 HB | 16 % IACS |
FDefault As fabricated | Default supply state for MB3 bar, tube and profile; best balance of strength and ductility straight from the press. | 165 | 260 | 12 | 55 HB | 16 % IACS |
Half-hard, cold/warm rolled sheet | Warm-rolled sheet with retained work hardening — pick when flatness and higher yield matter more than bend radius. | 195 | 275 | 8 | 62 HB | 16 % IACS |
Hard (fully cold-worked) sheet/strip | Maximum strength thin sheet for flat, non-formed parts; very limited bendability at room temperature. | 220 | 295 | 5 | 68 HB | 16 % IACS |
What is MB3 Forged?
MB3 Forged is MB3 supplied in the Forged condition — die-forged billet for structural fittings; properties similar to extruded but more isotropic. MB3 Forged has a yield strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — stronger than 64% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi). MB3 Forged has a density of 1.79 g/cm³ (0.0647 lb/in³), lighter than 73% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 550°C (1,022 °F). F is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Forged is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), better than 94% of magnesium alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 28/100, better than 79% of magnesium alloy grades
MB3 Forged properties
Typical room-temperature values for MB3 Forged; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are MB3 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
MB3 Forged has a density of 1.79 g/cm³ (0.0647 lb/in³), lighter than 73% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 550°C (1,022 °F).
Mechanical15
MB3 Forged has a yield strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — stronger than 64% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
Thermal6
MB3 Forged is rated for continuous service to 130°C (266 °F). It conducts heat at 88 W/m·K (50.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 54% of magnesium alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 26 µm/m·K (14.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
MB3 Forged conducts electricity at 16 % IACS, worse than 54% of magnesium alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), worse than 57% of magnesium alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of MB3 Forged takes about 320 MJ of energy and emits 28 kg of CO₂ — less than 74% of magnesium alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability8
MB3 Forged's machinability is excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability good (60/100); formability poor (28/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with MB3 Forged
Is MB3 easy to machine?
Machines faster than any other structural metal — high speeds, sharp positive-rake tools, flood mineral oil or dry with generous chip evacuation; never use water-based coolant on fine chips and keep a class-D extinguisher at the machine.
Can MB3 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with AZ61A or AZ92A filler under argon works well; preheat 150–260 °C on thick sections, clean the oxide immediately before welding and stress-relieve (≈260 °C, 15 min) to avoid SCC.
Can MB3 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bending is limited to large radii — form, deep draw and stretch at 200–350 °C where elongation rises above 40 %; extrusion ratios and press speeds are lower than for aluminium.
What surface finishes work on MB3?
No sulfuric anodizing; use chromate-free fluoride/phosphate conversion, HAE/Dow 17 or micro-arc oxidation as a base, then epoxy primer plus topcoat, and isolate every steel or copper fastener with nylon washers/sealant.
MB3 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 strengthening addition | 3.7 – 4.7 | 4.2 |
| Zn | 0.8 – 1.4 | 1.1 |
| Mnimproves salt-water corrosion resistance by tying up Fe | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Cuimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Niimpurity limit; strongly degrades corrosion | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Bemelt-protection addition where used | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Others (each/total)total residuals | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Mg | balance | — |
MB3 Forged — frequently asked
What is MB3 Forged used for?
MB3 Forged is typically used for extruded structural members, handles and sporting goods frames. In short: higher-strength AZ61 extrusion grade; fastest-machining structural metal; warm forming required.
What is the yield strength of MB3 Forged?
MB3 Forged has a typical yield strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — stronger than 64% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is MB3 Forged easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades). Machines faster than any other structural metal — high speeds, sharp positive-rake tools, flood mineral oil or dry with generous chip evacuation; never use water-based coolant on fine chips and keep a class-D extinguisher at the machine.
Can MB3 Forged be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). GTAW/GMAW with AZ61A or AZ92A filler under argon works well; preheat 150–260 °C on thick sections, clean the oxide immediately before welding and stress-relieve (≈260 °C, 15 min) to avoid SCC.
What surface finishes work on MB3 Forged?
No sulfuric anodizing; use chromate-free fluoride/phosphate conversion, HAE/Dow 17 or micro-arc oxidation as a base, then epoxy primer plus topcoat, and isolate every steel or copper fastener with nylon washers/sealant.
Can MB3 Forged be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bending is limited to large radii — form, deep draw and stretch at 200–350 °C where elongation rises above 40 %; extrusion ratios and press speeds are lower than for aluminium.
What is the maximum service temperature of MB3 Forged?
MB3 Forged is rated for continuous use to about 130°C (266 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between MB3-F and MB3-Y?
F is the default condition — default supply state for MB3 bar, tube and profile; best balance of strength and ductility straight from the press. Y: maximum strength thin sheet for flat, non-formed parts; very limited bendability at room temperature. Yield strength is 165 MPa in F versus 220 MPa in Y.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol.2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys (Magnesium) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Magnesium and Magnesium Alloys — ASM International (1999)
- ASM Handbook Vol.5 Surface Engineering / Vol.13B Corrosion — ASM International (2005)
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.