Magnesium Alloy MC1
JIS MC1
MC1 is a Mg-Al-Zn sand and permanent-mould casting alloy in the JIS H5303 family, comparable to AZ91C, and heat-treatable in F, T4, T5 and T6 conditions.
Reference datasheet — MC1 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
MC1 tempers and conditions
MC1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Pick when maximum ductility and impact tolerance are needed from a casting, at the cost of low yield strength. | 90 | 275 | 12 | 55 HB | 55 W/m·K |
As fabricated | Cheapest condition for low-stress covers and housings where dimensional stability of the as-cast part matters more than strength. | 97 | 165 | 2.5 | 60 HB | — |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Low-distortion alternative when a modest hardness/stability gain is wanted without a full solution soak and quench. | 110 | 165 | 2 | 65 HB | 12.5 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard supply condition: best combination of yield strength and hardness for load-bearing Mg castings; ductility and toughness are low. | 145 | 275 | 4 | 70 HB | 72 W/m·K |
What is MC1?
MC1 is a Mg-Al-Zn sand and permanent-mould casting alloy in the JIS H5303 family, comparable to AZ91C, and heat-treatable in F, T4, T5 and T6 conditions. It is used for light housings and covers that must be machinable (score 95) and weld-repairable (score 65), giving 145 MPa yield, 275 MPa tensile, 4 % elongation, 70 HB and 72 W/m·K. Elongation is low, service is limited to about 130 °C, and every surface needs a conversion coating plus paint. MC2 (AZ92A) is the higher-strength casting alternative. MC1 has a density of 1.81 g/cm³ (0.0654 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 470°C (878 °F). MC1 has a yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — stronger than 51% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
What is MC1 used for?
- automotive housings
- power tool bodies
- cast brackets
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 11 MPa·√m (10 ksi·√in), worse than 100% of magnesium alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 12 % IACS, worse than 78% of magnesium alloy grades
MC1 properties
Typical room-temperature values for MC1-T6; bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
MC1 has a density of 1.81 g/cm³ (0.0654 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 470°C (878 °F).
Mechanical12
MC1 has a yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — stronger than 51% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
Thermal6
MC1 is rated for continuous service to 130°C (266 °F). It conducts heat at 72 W/m·K (41.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 69% of magnesium alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 26 µm/m·K (14.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
MC1 conducts electricity at 12 % IACS, worse than 78% of magnesium alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (20/100), worse than 77% of magnesium alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of MC1 takes about 310 MJ of energy and emits 30 kg of CO₂ — less than 85% of magnesium alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
MC1's machinability is excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability good (65/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
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. MC1 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with MC1
Is MC1 easy to machine?
Outstanding machinability at high speed with sharp positive-rake tools and light or dry cutting — but chips/fines are flammable, so use flood mineral oil (never water-based) and keep a class-D extinguisher.
Can MC1 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW in argon with AZ92A or AZ101 filler works well; preheat thick sections, avoid moisture, and re-solution/age T6 parts after major repair welds.
Can MC1 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent sand and permanent-mould castability with good fluidity and low hot-tear tendency; use SF6-free cover gas or flux, generous fillets, chills for feeding, and expect ~1.3 % solidification shrinkage.
MC1 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 strengthener (Mg17Al12 precipitation) | 8.1 – 9.3 | 8.7 |
| Zn | 0.4 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Mn0.13 % min for corrosion control | 0.13 – 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Si | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Nimax — key corrosion impurity | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Fenot always specified for the C-type alloy; high-purity E-type limits are tighter | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Others (each)0.30 % total | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Mg | balance |
What surface finishes work on MC1?
Not sulphuric-anodizable: apply chromate/fluoride or Dow 17/HAE conversion coat, or PEO coating, followed by epoxy primer and topcoat; isolate from steel and copper fasteners to avoid rapid galvanic attack.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Magnesium Alloy MC1 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- AZ91C
How much does MC1 cost?
MC1 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.
MC1 — frequently asked
What is MC1 used for?
MC1 is typically used for automotive housings, power tool bodies and cast brackets. In short: workhorse magnesium casting alloy; weld-repairable sand casting; heat-treatable to T6.
What is the yield strength of MC1?
MC1 has a typical yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — stronger than 51% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is MC1 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades). Outstanding machinability at high speed with sharp positive-rake tools and light or dry cutting — but chips/fines are flammable, so use flood mineral oil (never water-based) and keep a class-D extinguisher.
Can MC1 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). GTAW/GMAW in argon with AZ92A or AZ101 filler works well; preheat thick sections, avoid moisture, and re-solution/age T6 parts after major repair welds.
What surface finishes work on MC1?
Not sulphuric-anodizable: apply chromate/fluoride or Dow 17/HAE conversion coat, or PEO coating, followed by epoxy primer and topcoat; isolate from steel and copper fasteners to avoid rapid galvanic attack.
Can MC1 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent sand and permanent-mould castability with good fluidity and low hot-tear tendency; use SF6-free cover gas or flux, generous fillets, chills for feeding, and expect ~1.3 % solidification shrinkage.
What is the maximum service temperature of MC1?
MC1 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 MC1-T6 and MC1-T4?
T6 is the default condition — standard supply condition: best combination of yield strength and hardness for load-bearing Mg castings; ductility and toughness are low. T4: pick when maximum ductility and impact tolerance are needed from a casting, at the cost of low yield strength. Yield strength is 145 MPa in T6 versus 90 MPa in T4.
How much does MC1 cost?
MC1 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
- JIS H 5203 Magnesium Alloy Castings (MC series) — Japanese Standards Association (2006)
- ASTM B80 Magnesium-Alloy Sand Castings — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM B199 Magnesium-Alloy Permanent Mold Castings — ASTM International (2019)
- 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.