Magnesium Alloy WE43 · temper · default condition
Magnesium Alloy WE43-F
Properties of the F condition, compared with the other WE43 tempers.
Standard stocked wrought condition for bar, extrusion and plate when moderate strength with best ductility is wanted.
What is WE43-F?
WE43-F is WE43 in the F temper — standard stocked wrought condition for bar, extrusion and plate when moderate strength with best ductility is wanted. WE43-F 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). WE43-F 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).
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), better than 93% 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 89% of magnesium alloy grades
WE43-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for WE43-F — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every WE43 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the magnesium alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
WE43-F 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-F 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-F 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-F conducts electricity at 11.6 % IACS, worse than 89% 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-F 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-F'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.
Other WE43 tempers and conditions
WE43 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the WE43 overview.
- FDefaultStandard stocked wrought condition for bar, extrusion and plate when moderate strength with best ductility is wanted.175 MPa yield · 70 HB
- As PrintedUse for AM implants and lightweight lattices; ultrafine solidification structure gives high yield strength but residual stress and some porosity remain.245 MPa yield · 83 HB
- T5Pick for the highest strength wrought WE43 (extrusion/plate) where 250 °C service and good specific strength are needed.225 MPa yield · 85 HB
- Stress RelievedChoose for welded, machined or laser-printed parts needing dimensional stability and reduced residual stress with only a small strength penalty.200 MPa yield · 72 HB
- HIPPick 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 MPa yield · 73 HB
- T6Standard delivery condition for WE43A sand/investment castings needing full strength and creep resistance to 300 °C.172 MPa yield · 80 HB
- As CastUse only for non-critical castings or as the input state before T6; strength and ductility are well below T6.110 MPa yield · 55 HB
Working with WE43-F
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.
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.
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 | — |
WE43-F — frequently asked
What is WE43-F used for?
WE43-F 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-F?
WE43-F 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-F 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-F 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-F?
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-F 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-F?
WE43-F 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in WE43-F?
Yes — WE43-F 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.