Magnesium Alloy MC2-T5
Temper
JIS MC2
T5 = 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.
Values for the T5 condition
Other MC2 tempers and conditions
MC2 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at MC2.
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 | — |
T5This page 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-T5?
MC2-T5 is MC2 in the T5 temper — cheap single-step age that raises yield strength and stabilises dimensions without a solution furnace cycle; ductility stays very low. MC2-T5 has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) — weaker than 80% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi). MC2-T5 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). T6 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T5 is available on request or by drawing note.
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 100% of magnesium alloy grades
- Low strength — 115 MPa (16.7 ksi), worse than 80% of magnesium alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 12 % IACS, worse than 78% of magnesium alloy grades
MC2-T5 properties
Typical room-temperature values for MC2-T5; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are MC2 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
MC2-T5 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-T5 has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) — weaker than 80% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
Thermal6
MC2-T5 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-T5 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-T5 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-T5's machinability is excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability good (60/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with MC2-T5
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.
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.
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 | — |
MC2-T5 — frequently asked
What is MC2-T5 used for?
MC2-T5 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-T5?
MC2-T5 has a typical yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) — weaker than 80% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is MC2-T5 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-T5 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-T5?
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-T5 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-T5?
MC2-T5 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.