Magnesium Alloy WE54A-T5
Temper
ASTM WE54A · UNS M18410
T5 = 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.
Values for the T5 condition
Other WE54A tempers and conditions
WE54A is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at WE54A.
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 |
T5This page 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-T5?
WE54A-T5 is WE54A in the T5 temper — 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. WE54A-T5 has a yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — stronger than 64% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 44 GPa (6.38 Msi). WE54A-T5 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). T6 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T5 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
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 9.6 % IACS, worse than 99% of magnesium alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 97% of magnesium alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 85% of magnesium alloy grades
WE54A-T5 properties
Typical room-temperature values for WE54A-T5; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are WE54A reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
WE54A-T5 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-T5 has a yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — stronger than 64% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 44 GPa (6.38 Msi).
Thermal6
WE54A-T5 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
WE54A-T5 conducts electricity at 9.6 % IACS, worse than 99% of magnesium alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), better than 88% of magnesium alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of WE54A-T5 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-T5's machinability is excellent (88/100, worse than 99% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability not recommended (12/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with WE54A-T5
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.
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.
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 | — |
WE54A-T5 — frequently asked
What is WE54A-T5 used for?
WE54A-T5 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-T5?
WE54A-T5 has a typical yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — stronger than 64% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is WE54A-T5 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-T5 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-T5?
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-T5 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-T5?
WE54A-T5 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.