Magnesium Alloy MC2
JIS MC2
MC2 is a higher-aluminium Mg-Al-Zn casting alloy comparable to AZ92A, supplied as sand and permanent-mould castings in F, T4, T5, T6 and T61 conditions.
Reference datasheet — MC2 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
MC2 tempers and conditions
MC2 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. T6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Best toughness/ductility combination of this alloy — choose for shock or impact loading rather than maximum yield strength. | 95 | 275 | 6 | 63 HB | — |
As fabricated | Lowest cost, dimensionally stable as-poured; pick for lightly loaded housings where strength is not critical. | 97 | 165 | 2 | 65 HB | — |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Cheap single-step age that raises yield strength and stabilises dimensions without a solution furnace cycle; ductility stays very low. | 115 | 180 | 1 | 70 HB | — |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard high-strength condition for MC2 sand castings — best balance of yield strength, hardness and usable ductility. | 145 | 275 | 3 | 84 HB | — |
T6 variant, underaged | T6 with a more aggressive quench for slightly higher and more uniform strength in heavy sections; higher distortion/residual-stress risk. | 150 | 275 | 2 | 84 HB | 12 % IACS |
What is MC2?
MC2 is a higher-aluminium Mg-Al-Zn casting alloy comparable to AZ92A, supplied as sand and permanent-mould castings in F, T4, T5, T6 and T61 conditions. It is chosen when a magnesium casting needs more strength and hardness than AZ91-type material: 145 MPa yield, 275 MPa tensile and 84 HB, with machinability score 95. The trade-offs are 3 % elongation, a service limit near 130 °C, microshrinkage sensitivity in heavy sections and weldability score 60. MC1 (AZ91C) is the more forgiving casting choice. MC2 has a density of 1.83 g/cm³ (0.0661 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 443°C (829 °F). MC2 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 3% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
What is MC2 used for?
- Sand-cast gearbox housings
- Structural sand castings
- Load-bearing brackets and mounts
- Aerospace equipment housings
- Machine and instrument bases
- Permanent-mould castings aged to T6
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 85% of magnesium alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 12 % IACS, worse than 78% of magnesium alloy grades
MC2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for MC2-T6; bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
MC2 has a density of 1.83 g/cm³ (0.0661 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 443°C (829 °F).
Mechanical14
MC2 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 3% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
Thermal6
MC2 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 25.2 µm/m·K (14 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
MC2 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 MC2 takes about 350 MJ of energy and emits 30 kg of CO₂ — more than 74% of magnesium alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
MC2's machinability is excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability good (60/100); 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. MC2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with MC2
Is MC2 easy to machine?
Outstanding machinability — high speeds, sharp positive-rake tools, dry or mineral-oil cutting; never use water-based coolant on fine chips and keep chips/dust collected wet-free to avoid fire.
Can MC2 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with AZ92A or AZ101A filler in argon works well; preheat thick sections, avoid over-welding, and re-solution/re-age (T6) after repair to restore properties.
Can MC2 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or permanent-mould casting only; needs SF6-free cover gas or flux protection, generous risering to fight microshrinkage, and slow, uniform solidification in heavy sections.
MC2 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 | 8.3 – 9.7 | 9 |
| Zn | 1.6 – 2.4 | 2 |
| Mn0.10 % min for corrosion control | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Cuimpurity limit | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Niimpurity limit | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Feimpurity limit (typical foundry practice) | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Others (each)total of residual elements | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Mg | balance |
What surface finishes work on MC2?
Always apply a chromate-free conversion coat or HAE/Dow 17 anodize plus epoxy primer/topcoat; insulate from steel/aluminium fasteners to prevent galvanic attack.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Magnesium Alloy MC2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- AZ92A
How much does MC2 cost?
MC2 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.
MC2 — frequently asked
What is MC2 used for?
MC2 is typically used for sand-cast gearbox housings, structural sand castings, load-bearing brackets and mounts, aerospace equipment housings, machine and instrument bases and permanent-mould castings aged to T6. In short: hardest AZ-series casting alloy; higher-strength magnesium castings; low elongation, 3 %.
What is the yield strength of MC2?
MC2 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 5 listed tempers.
Is MC2 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades). Outstanding machinability — high speeds, sharp positive-rake tools, dry or mineral-oil cutting; never use water-based coolant on fine chips and keep chips/dust collected wet-free to avoid fire.
Can MC2 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). GTAW/GMAW with AZ92A or AZ101A filler in argon works well; preheat thick sections, avoid over-welding, and re-solution/re-age (T6) after repair to restore properties.
What surface finishes work on MC2?
Always apply a chromate-free conversion coat or HAE/Dow 17 anodize plus epoxy primer/topcoat; insulate from steel/aluminium fasteners to prevent galvanic attack.
Can MC2 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or permanent-mould casting only; needs SF6-free cover gas or flux protection, generous risering to fight microshrinkage, and slow, uniform solidification in heavy sections.
What is the maximum service temperature of MC2?
MC2 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 MC2-T6 and MC2-T4?
T6 is the default condition — standard high-strength condition for MC2 sand castings — best balance of yield strength, hardness and usable ductility. T4: best toughness/ductility combination of this alloy — choose for shock or impact loading rather than maximum yield strength. Yield strength is 145 MPa in T6 versus 95 MPa in T4.
How much does MC2 cost?
MC2 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 — Japanese Standards Association (2006)
- ASTM B80 — Magnesium-Alloy Sand Castings — ASTM International (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Magnesium and Magnesium Alloys — ASM International (1999)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13 — Corrosion — ASM International (2005)
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.