Magnesium Alloy WE43-T6
Temper
ASTM WE43 · UNS M18430 · EN MC95320, MgY4RE3Zr
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Standard delivery condition for WE43A sand/investment castings needing full strength and creep resistance to 300 °C.
Values for the T6 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 |
T6This page 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-T6?
WE43-T6 is WE43 in the T6 temper — standard delivery condition for WE43A sand/investment castings needing full strength and creep resistance to 300 °C. WE43-T6 has a yield strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — stronger than 71% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 44.2 GPa (6.41 Msi). WE43-T6 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; T6 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 MPa·√m (14.6 ksi·√in), better than 87% of magnesium alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 35/100, better than 87% of magnesium alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 85/100, worse than 100% of magnesium alloy grades
- 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-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for WE43-T6; 10 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-T6 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-T6 has a yield strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — stronger than 71% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 44.2 GPa (6.41 Msi).
Thermal6
WE43-T6 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-T6 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-T6 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-T6's machinability is excellent (85/100, worse than 100% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with WE43-T6
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-T6 — frequently asked
What is WE43-T6 used for?
WE43-T6 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-T6?
WE43-T6 has a typical yield strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — stronger than 71% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is WE43-T6 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, worse than 100% 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-T6 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-T6?
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-T6 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-T6?
WE43-T6 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-T6?
Yes — WE43-T6 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.