Magnesium Alloy WE54
ASTM WE54 · UNS M18410 · EN MC95310, MgY5RE4Zr
WE54 is a high-yttrium, neodymium-rich rare-earth magnesium casting alloy (MgY5RE4Zr, M18410, MC95310) used mainly in the T6 condition.
Reference datasheet — WE54 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the T6 condition
WE54 tempers and conditions
WE54 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. T6 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Only for non-structural or trial castings; RE precipitation strength is not developed. | 120 | 180 | 3 | 65 HB | 11 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Cost-reduced route for thin-wall permanent-mould parts where full T6 distortion control is unwanted. | 160 | 225 | 2.5 | 78 HB | 11.3 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard supply condition for WE54A castings — peak strength and creep resistance to ~300 °C. | 200 | 270 | 4 | 85 HB | 11.5 % IACS |
Extruded / forged and aged | Rare wrought form (bar/forging) when higher ductility than the casting is needed; availability is limited. | 220 | 310 | 8 | 90 HB | 12 % IACS |
What is WE54?
WE54 is a high-yttrium, neodymium-rich rare-earth magnesium casting alloy (MgY5RE4Zr, M18410, MC95310) used mainly in the T6 condition. It offers the highest strength in the WE family — 200 MPa yield, 270 MPa tensile, 4% elongation and 85 HB — with strength retention up to about 300 °C and rated service to 250 °C, so it is chosen where WE43 is insufficient at elevated temperature. Thermal conductivity is low at 51 W/m·K, the yttrium and rare-earth content makes the alloy expensive with limited availability, and coating is required in service. WE43 is the lower-cost alternative at lower temperatures. WE54 has a density of 1.85 g/cm³ (0.0668 lb/in³), heavier than 95% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 545°C (1,013 °F). WE54 has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — stronger than 88% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 44 GPa (6.38 Msi).
What is WE54 used for?
- aerospace gearbox and transmission housings
- helicopter rotor components
- missile guidance housings
- high-temperature engine brackets
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 32/100, better than 96% of magnesium alloy grades
- High service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), better than 93% of magnesium alloy grades
- High strength — 200 MPa (29 ksi), better than 88% of magnesium alloy grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 45 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 100% of magnesium alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 97% of magnesium alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 11.5 % IACS, worse than 92% of magnesium alloy grades
WE54 properties
Typical room-temperature values for WE54-T6; bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
WE54 has a density of 1.85 g/cm³ (0.0668 lb/in³), heavier than 95% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 545°C (1,013 °F).
Mechanical14
WE54 has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — stronger than 88% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 44 GPa (6.38 Msi).
Thermal6
WE54 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 97% of magnesium alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 26.7 µm/m·K (14.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
WE54 conducts electricity at 11.5 % IACS, worse than 92% of magnesium alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (32/100), better than 96% of magnesium alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of WE54 takes about 400 MJ of energy and emits 45 kg of CO₂ — more than 98% of magnesium alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability8
WE54's machinability is excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability poor (15/100).
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. WE54 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with WE54
Is WE54 easy to machine?
Machines very freely at high speed with sharp carbide tools and no coolant mist that can ignite fines — collect chips wet-free and keep a class-D extinguisher at the machine.
Can WE54 be welded?
TIG/plasma weldable with matching WE54 or WE43 filler under argon; re-solution treat and re-age after welding to restore properties near the fusion zone.
Can WE54 be formed, bent or molded?
Primarily a sand/investment/permanent-mould casting alloy — melt under SF6-free cover gas, avoid Zr fade, and hot-work only above ~350 °C if wrought forms are needed.
WE54 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, principal strengthener | 4.75 – 5.5 | 5.25 |
| Nd | 1.5 – 2 | 1.75 |
| REheavy rare earths (Gd, Dy, Er, Yb) other than Y and Nd | 1 – 2 | 1.5 |
| Zrgrain refiner, 0.40 % min | 0.4 – 1 | 0.5 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Li | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Feimpurity limit for corrosion control | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Niimpurity limit for corrosion control | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Mg | balance |
What surface finishes work on WE54?
Never bare in service: chromate/fluoride conversion coat (MIL-DTL-5541 equivalent for Mg) or plasma electrolytic oxidation, then epoxy primer; isolate all steel/aluminium fasteners to avoid galvanic attack.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Magnesium Alloy WE54 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- M18410
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- MC95310MgY5RE4Zr
How much does WE54 cost?
WE54 is a high-cost magnesium alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
WE54 — frequently asked
What is WE54 used for?
WE54 is typically used for aerospace gearbox and transmission housings, helicopter rotor components, missile guidance housings and high-temperature engine brackets. In short: highest-strength WE magnesium; hot strength above WE43; aerospace-qualified casting alloy.
What is the yield strength of WE54?
WE54 has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — stronger than 88% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is WE54 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades). Machines very freely at high speed with sharp carbide tools and no coolant mist that can ignite fines — collect chips wet-free and keep a class-D extinguisher at the machine.
Can WE54 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). TIG/plasma weldable with matching WE54 or WE43 filler under argon; re-solution treat and re-age after welding to restore properties near the fusion zone.
What surface finishes work on WE54?
Never bare in service: chromate/fluoride conversion coat (MIL-DTL-5541 equivalent for Mg) or plasma electrolytic oxidation, then epoxy primer; isolate all steel/aluminium fasteners to avoid galvanic attack.
Can WE54 be formed, bent or molded?
Primarily a sand/investment/permanent-mould casting alloy — melt under SF6-free cover gas, avoid Zr fade, and hot-work only above ~350 °C if wrought forms are needed.
What is the maximum service temperature of WE54?
WE54 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 WE54-T6 and WE54-F?
T6 is the default condition — standard supply condition for WE54A castings — peak strength and creep resistance to ~300 °C. F: only for non-structural or trial castings; RE precipitation strength is not developed. Yield strength is 200 MPa in T6 versus 120 MPa in F.
How much does WE54 cost?
WE54 is a high-cost magnesium alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
Sources
- ASTM B80 — Magnesium-Alloy Sand Castings — ASTM International (2015)
- ASTM B199 — Magnesium-Alloy Permanent Mold Castings — ASTM International (2019)
- Elektron WE54 alloy datasheet — Magnesium Elektron / Luxfer MEL Technologies (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Magnesium and Magnesium Alloys — ASM International (1999)
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.