Magnesium Alloy WE54A
ASTM WE54A · UNS M18410
WE54A is a magnesium-yttrium-rare earth-zirconium casting alloy (UNS M18410) carrying more rare earth than WE43, available in F, T5 and T6 conditions.
Reference datasheet — WE54A 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
WE54A tempers and conditions
WE54A is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. T6 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Only for non-critical or trial castings; RE precipitation strengthening is not yet developed, so strength is well below T6. | 105 | 190 | 5 | 60 HB | 9 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Chosen when distortion/quench cracking of a thin complex casting must be avoided; gives most of the elevated-temperature stability of T6 at slightly lower strength. | 160 | 235 | 3 | 75 HB | 9.6 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard supply condition for aerospace/defence WE54A castings — peak room- and elevated-temperature strength with best creep resistance. | 190 | 275 | 4 | 85 HB | 52 W/m·K |
What is WE54A?
WE54A is a magnesium-yttrium-rare earth-zirconium casting alloy (UNS M18410) carrying more rare earth than WE43, available in F, T5 and T6 conditions. The higher RE content raises elevated-temperature strength: 190 MPa yield, 275 MPa tensile, 4% elongation, about 85 HB, 44 GPa elastic modulus and service to 250 °C, which suits aerospace and defense sand and investment castings. Elongation is lower than WE43B, thermal conductivity is only 52 W/m·K and bare corrosion resistance is modest (score 32), so coatings and galvanic isolation are required. WE43B is the choice where ductility matters more than hot strength. WE54A 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). WE54A has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — stronger than 78% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 44 GPa (6.38 Msi).
What is WE54A used for?
- aerospace engine/gearbox castings
- missile structural components
- high-temperature structural castings
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 — 190 MPa (27.6 ksi), better than 78% of magnesium alloy grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, worse than 99% of magnesium alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 91% of magnesium alloy grades
WE54A properties
Typical room-temperature values for WE54A-T6; bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
WE54A 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).
Mechanical13
WE54A has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — stronger than 78% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 44 GPa (6.38 Msi).
Thermal6
WE54A is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 91% of magnesium alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 26.7 µm/m·K (14.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
WE54A conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, worse than 99% of magnesium alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (32/100), better than 96% of magnesium alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of WE54A takes about 350 MJ of energy and emits 28 kg of CO₂ — more than 74% of magnesium alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 8%.
Manufacturability8
WE54A's machinability is excellent (88/100, worse than 99% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability not recommended (12/100).
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. WE54A is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with WE54A
Is WE54A easy to machine?
Cuts very freely at high speed with sharp positive-rake tooling and generous chip clearance; use flood mineral-oil or dry cutting (never water-based coolant), and collect fines wet-free with Class D extinguishing media available.
Can WE54A be welded?
TIG/plasma weldable with matching WE54/WE43 filler under argon; weld before final ageing where possible and re-solution/re-age repairs to restore RE precipitates.
Can WE54A be formed, bent or molded?
Sand and investment cast with SF6-free cover gas (SO₂/HFC-134a) and zirconium-safe sand binders; needs controlled feeding — cold work of the casting is not practical.
WE54A 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 — main solid-solution/precipitation strengthener | 4.75 – 5.5 | 5.2 |
| Nd | 1.5 – 2 | 1.7 |
| HREheavy rare earths (Gd, Dy, Er, Yb) reported as a group | 1 – 2 | 1.5 |
| Zrgrain refiner | 0.4 – 1 | 0.5 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Li | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Femax, kept low for corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Ni | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Others (each/total)total of unspecified elements | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Mg | balance |
What surface finishes work on WE54A?
Chrome-free conversion coating or plasma-electrolytic/HAE-type anodic film plus epoxy primer/topcoat; insulate all steel, CFRP and brass interfaces to avoid galvanic attack.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Magnesium Alloy WE54A in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- M18410
How much does WE54A cost?
WE54A 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.
WE54A — frequently asked
What is WE54A used for?
WE54A is typically used for aerospace engine/gearbox castings, missile structural components and high-temperature structural castings. In short: highest hot strength of WE family; rare-earth aerospace casting alloy; 250 °C service capability.
What is the yield strength of WE54A?
WE54A has a typical yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — stronger than 78% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is WE54A easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (88/100, worse than 99% of magnesium alloy grades). Cuts very freely at high speed with sharp positive-rake tooling and generous chip clearance; use flood mineral-oil or dry cutting (never water-based coolant), and collect fines wet-free with Class D extinguishing media available.
Can WE54A be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). TIG/plasma weldable with matching WE54/WE43 filler under argon; weld before final ageing where possible and re-solution/re-age repairs to restore RE precipitates.
What surface finishes work on WE54A?
Chrome-free conversion coating or plasma-electrolytic/HAE-type anodic film plus epoxy primer/topcoat; insulate all steel, CFRP and brass interfaces to avoid galvanic attack.
Can WE54A be formed, bent or molded?
Sand and investment cast with SF6-free cover gas (SO₂/HFC-134a) and zirconium-safe sand binders; needs controlled feeding — cold work of the casting is not practical.
What is the maximum service temperature of WE54A?
WE54A 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 WE54A-T6 and WE54A-F?
T6 is the default condition — standard supply condition for aerospace/defence WE54A castings — peak room- and elevated-temperature strength with best creep resistance. F: only for non-critical or trial castings; RE precipitation strengthening is not yet developed, so strength is well below T6. Yield strength is 190 MPa in T6 versus 105 MPa in F.
How much does WE54A cost?
WE54A 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 — Standard Specification for Magnesium-Alloy Sand Castings — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B199 — Magnesium-Alloy Permanent Mold Castings — ASTM International (2019)
- EN 1753 — Magnesium and magnesium alloys: ingots and castings (MgY5RE4Zr) — CEN (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.