Magnesium Alloy WE43 Stress Relieved
Heat-treated state
ASTM WE43 · UNS M18430 · EN MC95320, MgY4RE3Zr
Choose for welded, machined or laser-printed parts needing dimensional stability and reduced residual stress with only a small strength penalty.
Values for the Stress Relieved condition
Other WE43 tempers and conditions
WE43 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at WE43.
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 |
Stress RelievedThis page 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 Stress Relieved?
WE43 Stress Relieved is WE43 heat treated to Stress Relieved — choose for welded, machined or laser-printed parts needing dimensional stability and reduced residual stress with only a small strength penalty. WE43 Stress Relieved has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) — stronger than 88% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 44.2 GPa (6.41 Msi). WE43 Stress Relieved 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). F is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Stress Relieved is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), better than 93% of magnesium alloy grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 16.5 MPa·√m (15 ksi·√in), better than 92% of magnesium alloy grades
- High strength — 200 MPa (29 ksi), better than 88% of magnesium alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 32/100, better than 85% 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 Stress Relieved properties
Typical room-temperature values for WE43 Stress Relieved; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are WE43 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
WE43 Stress Relieved 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 Stress Relieved has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) — stronger than 88% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 44.2 GPa (6.41 Msi).
Thermal6
WE43 Stress Relieved is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °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 Stress Relieved 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 Stress Relieved 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 Stress Relieved's machinability is excellent (88/100, worse than 99% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability poor (32/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with WE43 Stress Relieved
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 Stress Relieved — frequently asked
What is WE43 Stress Relieved used for?
WE43 Stress Relieved 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 Stress Relieved?
WE43 Stress Relieved has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) — stronger than 88% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is WE43 Stress Relieved 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 Stress Relieved 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 Stress Relieved?
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 Stress Relieved 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 Stress Relieved?
WE43 Stress Relieved is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °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 Stress Relieved?
Yes — WE43 Stress Relieved 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.