Magnesium Alloy ZE41-T5
Temper · default condition
ASTM ZE41 · EN MC35110, MgZn4RE1Zr
T5 = cooled from hot working and artificially aged
Standard aerospace condition (ASTM B80 / AMS 4439): best combination of strength, pressure tightness and dimensional stability without a solution treatment.
Values for the T5 condition
Other ZE41 tempers and conditions
ZE41 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at ZE41.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Rarely supplied commercially; used only for non-critical castings or before final ageing. | 115 | 170 | 3 | 55 HB | 24 % IACS |
T5DefaultThis page Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Standard aerospace condition (ASTM B80 / AMS 4439): best combination of strength, pressure tightness and dimensional stability without a solution treatment. | 140 | 205 | 3.5 | 62 HB | 113 W/m·K |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Occasionally specified for slightly higher strength, but the Zn-rich eutectic limits solution temperature and T5 is normally preferred. | 150 | 215 | 3 | 66 HB | 26 % IACS |
What is ZE41-T5?
ZE41-T5 is ZE41 in the T5 temper — standard aerospace condition (ASTM B80 / AMS 4439): best combination of strength, pressure tightness and dimensional stability without a solution treatment. ZE41-T5 has a yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) — weaker than 61% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 44 GPa (6.38 Msi). ZE41-T5 has a density of 1.84 g/cm³ (0.0665 lb/in³), heavier than 89% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 510°C (950 °F).
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 26 kg CO₂/kg, better than 96% of magnesium alloy grades
ZE41-T5 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZE41-T5; 16 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ZE41 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
ZE41-T5 has a density of 1.84 g/cm³ (0.0665 lb/in³), heavier than 89% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 510°C (950 °F).
Mechanical14
ZE41-T5 has a yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) — weaker than 61% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 44 GPa (6.38 Msi).
Thermal6
ZE41-T5 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 113 W/m·K (65.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 74% of magnesium alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 26.1 µm/m·K (14.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZE41-T5 conducts electricity at 25 % IACS, better than 69% of magnesium alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (18/100), worse than 88% of magnesium alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZE41-T5 takes about 300 MJ of energy and emits 26 kg of CO₂ — less than 92% of magnesium alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
ZE41-T5's machinability is excellent (96/100, better than 87% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ZE41-T5
Is ZE41 easy to machine?
Machines faster and with lower cutting forces than any other structural metal — use sharp, high-rake tools, high speed, and flood mineral-oil or dry cutting; never water-based coolant with fine chips, and keep swarf collected to avoid fire risk.
Can ZE41 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW weldable with EZ33A or ZE41A-matching filler; preheat 260–320 °C for thick sections, re-age at T5 after welding, and expect some hot-tearing sensitivity in the Zn-rich eutectic.
Can ZE41 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — excellent sand and permanent-mold castability with low microporosity and good pressure tightness; melt must be protected with SF6-free cover gas or flux, and Zr level maintained for grain refinement.
What surface finishes work on ZE41?
Apply chromate or chrome-free conversion coating (MIL-M-3171 / Dow 7) or hard anodic coating (HAE, Dow 17, Tagnite) followed by epoxy primer; isolate from steel, aluminium and copper fasteners to prevent galvanic attack.
ZE41 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Znprincipal strengthener | 3.5 – 5 | 4.2 |
| RErare-earth mischmetal (Ce-rich didymium); forms grain-boundary network reducing microporosity | 0.75 – 1.75 | 1.2 |
| Zrgrain refiner | 0.4 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Cuimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Niimpurity limit (corrosion) | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Others (each)0.30 total max | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Mg | balance | — |
ZE41-T5 — frequently asked
What is ZE41-T5 used for?
ZE41-T5 is typically used for helicopter gearbox housings, aerospace castings and engine accessory housings. In short: pressure-tight aerospace castings; weldable rare-earth magnesium; low casting microporosity.
What is the yield strength of ZE41-T5?
ZE41-T5 has a typical yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) — weaker than 61% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is ZE41-T5 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (96/100, better than 87% of magnesium alloy grades). Machines faster and with lower cutting forces than any other structural metal — use sharp, high-rake tools, high speed, and flood mineral-oil or dry cutting; never water-based coolant with fine chips, and keep swarf collected to avoid fire risk.
Can ZE41-T5 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). GTAW/GMAW weldable with EZ33A or ZE41A-matching filler; preheat 260–320 °C for thick sections, re-age at T5 after welding, and expect some hot-tearing sensitivity in the Zn-rich eutectic.
What surface finishes work on ZE41-T5?
Apply chromate or chrome-free conversion coating (MIL-M-3171 / Dow 7) or hard anodic coating (HAE, Dow 17, Tagnite) followed by epoxy primer; isolate from steel, aluminium and copper fasteners to prevent galvanic attack.
Can ZE41-T5 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — excellent sand and permanent-mold castability with low microporosity and good pressure tightness; melt must be protected with SF6-free cover gas or flux, and Zr level maintained for grain refinement.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZE41-T5?
ZE41-T5 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ZE41-T5 and ZE41-F?
T5 is the default condition — standard aerospace condition (ASTM B80 / AMS 4439): best combination of strength, pressure tightness and dimensional stability without a solution treatment. F: rarely supplied commercially; used only for non-critical castings or before final ageing. Yield strength is 140 MPa in T5 versus 115 MPa in F.
Sources
- ASTM B80 — Magnesium-Alloy Sand Castings — ASTM International (2015)
- ASTM B199 — Magnesium-Alloy Permanent Mold Castings — ASTM International (2019)
- AMS 4439 — Magnesium Alloy Castings ZE41A-T5 — SAE International (2018)
- GB/T 1177 (ZM2 / ZMgZn4RE1Zr) (2018)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Magnesium and Magnesium Alloys — ASM International (1999)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ZE41A casting alloy data — Magnesium Elektron (Luxfer MEL Technologies) (2020)
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.