Magnesium Alloy WE43
ASTM WE43 · UNS M18430 · EN MC95320, MgY4RE3Zr
Mg-Y-Nd-Zr rare-earth casting alloy offering an outstanding strength-to-weight ratio, good corrosion resistance and creep resistance up to about 300°C, widely used in aerospace and biomedical implants.
Values for the F condition
WE43 tempers and conditions
WE43 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. F is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F condition castings, no solution/age treatment | Use only for non-critical castings or as the input state before T6; strength and ductility are well below T6. | 110 | 180 | 4 | 55 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard delivery condition for WE43A sand/investment castings needing full strength and creep resistance to 300 °C. | 172 | 250 | 4 | 80 HB | 51 W/m·K |
FDefault As fabricated | Standard stocked wrought condition for bar, extrusion and plate when moderate strength with best ductility is wanted. | 175 | 260 | 12 | 70 HB | — |
Hot isostatic pressed | Pick for castings or AM parts where porosity must be closed for fatigue-critical or medical use; ductility and consistency improve, peak yield strength drops slightly. | 195 | 275 | 14 | 73 HB | 11.8 % IACS |
low-temperature anneal (typically 200–300 °C) after fabrication or printing | Choose for welded, machined or laser-printed parts needing dimensional stability and reduced residual stress with only a small strength penalty. | 200 | 280 | 12 | 72 HB | 11.6 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Pick for the highest strength wrought WE43 (extrusion/plate) where 250 °C service and good specific strength are needed. | 225 | 310 | 10 | 85 HB | — |
laser powder-bed fused (LPBF/SLM), as-built | Use for AM implants and lightweight lattices; ultrafine solidification structure gives high yield strength but residual stress and some porosity remain. | 245 | 300 | 8 | 83 HB | — |
What is WE43?
Mg-Y-Nd-Zr rare-earth casting alloy offering an outstanding strength-to-weight ratio, good corrosion resistance and creep resistance up to about 300°C, widely used in aerospace and biomedical implants. WE43 has a density of 1.84 g/cm³ (0.0665 lb/in³), heavier than 89% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 540°C (1,004 °F). WE43 has a yield strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) — stronger than 72% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 44.2 GPa (6.41 Msi).
What is WE43 used for?
- Aerospace engine and gearbox housings
- Helicopter transmission casings
- Spinal and bone implants
- Bioresorbable fixation screws
- Missile and UAV structural castings
- Motorsport suspension castings
- Additively manufactured lightweight brackets
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), better than 94% of magnesium alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 35/100, better than 87% of magnesium alloy grades
- High service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), better than 84% of magnesium alloy grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 38 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 95% of magnesium alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 51.3 W/m·K (29.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of magnesium alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 11.6 % IACS, worse than 88% of magnesium alloy grades
WE43 properties
Typical room-temperature values for WE43-F; bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
WE43 has a density of 1.84 g/cm³ (0.0665 lb/in³), heavier than 89% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 540°C (1,004 °F).
Mechanical14
WE43 has a yield strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) — stronger than 72% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 44.2 GPa (6.41 Msi).
Thermal6
WE43 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 51.3 W/m·K (29.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of magnesium alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 26.7 µm/m·K (14.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
WE43 conducts electricity at 11.6 % IACS, worse than 88% of magnesium alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), worse than 57% of magnesium alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of WE43 takes about 400 MJ of energy and emits 38 kg of CO₂ — more than 98% of magnesium alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability8
WE43's machinability is excellent (88/100, worse than 99% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability very good (72/100); 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. WE43 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with WE43
Is WE43 easy to machine?
Machines very easily at high speed with sharp positive-rake tools and no water-based coolant; keep chips/dust collected and never grind with steel abrasives — Mg fines are an explosion and Class-D fire hazard.
Can WE43 be welded?
TIG/plasma weldable with matching WE43 filler under argon, low heat input and cleaned oxide-free surfaces; post-weld stress relief or re-age recommended, and castings should be re-solution/aged where properties matter.
Can WE43 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formability is poor (HCP) — form warm at 250–350 °C; sand, investment and low-pressure casting are all practical with SF6-free (SO₂/HFC) melt protection and Zr-safe crucibles.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to WE43. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent88 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.7 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 400 / 460 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1.5 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
WE43 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Yyttrium — primary strengthener | 3.7 – 4.3 | 4 |
| Nd | 2 – 2.5 | 2.2 |
| HRE (Gd+Dy+Er+Yb)heavy rare earths, reported as a group | 0.4 – 1 | 0.6 |
| Zrgrain refiner | 0.4 – 1 | 0.5 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Li | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Femax — kept low for corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Ni | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Others (each)0.30 max total | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Mgbalance ≈ 92–93 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on WE43?
Conventional aluminium anodizing does not apply — use plasma electrolytic oxidation (Keronite/Tagnite/HAE) or chromate-free conversion coating with epoxy sealing; electroless-Ni or paint for wear/galvanic isolation, and always isolate steel and CFRP fasteners.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on magnesium alloy parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Conversion Coating
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Magnesium Alloy WE43 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- M18430
- ASTM
- WE43A
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- MC95320MgY4RE3Zr
- Trade names
- Elektron WE43Bioabsorbable Magnesium
- Also called
- WE43A-T6
How much does WE43 cost?
WE43 is a standard-cost magnesium alloy ($$), cheaper than about 59% 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.
WE43 — frequently asked
What is WE43 used for?
WE43 is typically used for aerospace engine and gearbox housings, helicopter transmission casings, spinal and bone implants, bioresorbable fixation screws, missile and UAV structural castings and motorsport suspension castings. In short: high-temp aerospace magnesium.
What is the yield strength of WE43?
WE43 has a typical yield strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) — stronger than 72% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is WE43 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (88/100, worse than 99% of magnesium alloy grades). Machines very easily at high speed with sharp positive-rake tools and no water-based coolant; keep chips/dust collected and never grind with steel abrasives — Mg fines are an explosion and Class-D fire hazard.
Can WE43 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). TIG/plasma weldable with matching WE43 filler under argon, low heat input and cleaned oxide-free surfaces; post-weld stress relief or re-age recommended, and castings should be re-solution/aged where properties matter.
What surface finishes work on WE43?
Conventional aluminium anodizing does not apply — use plasma electrolytic oxidation (Keronite/Tagnite/HAE) or chromate-free conversion coating with epoxy sealing; electroless-Ni or paint for wear/galvanic isolation, and always isolate steel and CFRP fasteners.
Can WE43 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formability is poor (HCP) — form warm at 250–350 °C; sand, investment and low-pressure casting are all practical with SF6-free (SO₂/HFC) melt protection and Zr-safe crucibles.
What is the maximum service temperature of WE43?
WE43 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between WE43-F and WE43-T5?
F is the default condition — standard stocked wrought condition for bar, extrusion and plate when moderate strength with best ductility is wanted. T5: pick for the highest strength wrought WE43 (extrusion/plate) where 250 °C service and good specific strength are needed. Yield strength is 175 MPa in F versus 225 MPa in T5.
How much does WE43 cost?
WE43 is a standard-cost magnesium alloy ($$), cheaper than about 59% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in WE43?
Yes — WE43 is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B80 — Magnesium-Alloy Sand Castings (WE43A) — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM B107/B107M — Magnesium-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Profiles, Tubes and Wire — ASTM International (2021)
- Elektron WE43 / Elektron 43 alloy datasheets — Luxfer MEL Technologies (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials (magnesium) — ASM International (2005)
- Additive-manufactured WE43 (LPBF) mechanical property literature compilation — peer-reviewed journals / AM powder suppliers (2023)
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.