Magnesium Alloy WE54-T6
Temper · default condition
ASTM WE54 · UNS M18410 · EN MC95310, MgY5RE4Zr
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Standard supply condition for WE54A castings — peak strength and creep resistance to ~300 °C.
Values for the T6 condition
Other WE54 tempers and conditions
WE54 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at WE54.
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 |
T6DefaultThis page 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-T6?
WE54-T6 is WE54 in the T6 temper — standard supply condition for WE54A castings — peak strength and creep resistance to ~300 °C. WE54-T6 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). WE54-T6 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).
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-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for WE54-T6; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are WE54 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
WE54-T6 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-T6 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-T6 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-T6 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-T6 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-T6'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with WE54-T6
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.
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.
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 | — |
WE54-T6 — frequently asked
What is WE54-T6 used for?
WE54-T6 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-T6?
WE54-T6 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-T6 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-T6 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-T6?
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-T6 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-T6?
WE54-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 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.