Magnesium Alloy ZE41A-T5
Temper · default condition
ASTM ZE41A · UNS M16410 · EN 3.5101
T5 = cooled from hot working and artificially aged
Standard production condition for aerospace gearbox and housing castings — best combination of strength, pressure tightness and stability to 150 °C.
Values for the T5 condition
Other ZE41A tempers and conditions
ZE41A is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at ZE41A.
- F
- T5
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Use only where strength is non-critical or for prototype/pattern-check castings; almost all production castings are aged to T5. | 115 | 175 | 3 | 55 HB | 25 % IACS |
T5DefaultThis page Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Standard production condition for aerospace gearbox and housing castings — best combination of strength, pressure tightness and stability to 150 °C. | 140 | 205 | 3.5 | 62 HB | 113 W/m·K |
What is ZE41A-T5?
ZE41A-T5 is ZE41A in the T5 temper — standard production condition for aerospace gearbox and housing castings — best combination of strength, pressure tightness and stability to 150 °C. ZE41A-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). ZE41A-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
- High electrical conductivity — 26 % IACS, better than 78% of magnesium alloy grades
ZE41A-T5 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZE41A-T5; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ZE41A reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
ZE41A-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).
Mechanical13
ZE41A-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
ZE41A-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
ZE41A-T5 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, better than 78% of magnesium alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), worse than 57% of magnesium alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZE41A-T5 takes about 340 MJ of energy and emits 28 kg of CO₂ — more than 59% of magnesium alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability8
ZE41A-T5's machinability is excellent (92/100, worse than 86% 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 ZE41A-T5
Is ZE41A easy to machine?
Machines faster than any other structural metal with sharp, high-rake tools and high speeds; use dry or mineral-oil coolant (never water-based), keep chips dry and have Class D extinguishing media on hand.
Can ZE41A be welded?
GTAW with ZE41A/EZ33 filler in argon works well for casting repair; preheat 250–300 °C for heavy sections and re-age (T5) afterwards to restore properties and relieve stress.
Can ZE41A be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or investment cast only; excellent fluidity and pressure tightness with SF6/SO2-free cover-gas melt protection, zirconium-bearing melt requires low superheat and short holding to avoid Zr fade.
What surface finishes work on ZE41A?
Fluoride/chromate or Dow 17 / HAE anodic conversion coating followed by epoxy primer and topcoat; insulate all steel and CFRP interfaces to prevent galvanic attack.
ZE41A 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Zn | 3.5 – 5 | 4.2 |
| RE (rare earths, didymium/mischmetal)Ce-Nd rich mischmetal | 0.75 – 1.75 | 1.2 |
| Zrgrain refiner | 0.4 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Ni | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Others (each)total others 0.30 max | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Mg | balance | — |
ZE41A-T5 — frequently asked
What is ZE41A-T5 used for?
ZE41A-T5 is typically used for helicopter gearbox casings, aircraft engine castings and general aerospace sand castings. In short: best-casting aerospace Mg alloy; pressure-tight thin-wall castings; weld-repairable in service.
What is the yield strength of ZE41A-T5?
ZE41A-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 2 listed tempers.
Is ZE41A-T5 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (92/100, worse than 86% of magnesium alloy grades). Machines faster than any other structural metal with sharp, high-rake tools and high speeds; use dry or mineral-oil coolant (never water-based), keep chips dry and have Class D extinguishing media on hand.
Can ZE41A-T5 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). GTAW with ZE41A/EZ33 filler in argon works well for casting repair; preheat 250–300 °C for heavy sections and re-age (T5) afterwards to restore properties and relieve stress.
What surface finishes work on ZE41A-T5?
Fluoride/chromate or Dow 17 / HAE anodic conversion coating followed by epoxy primer and topcoat; insulate all steel and CFRP interfaces to prevent galvanic attack.
Can ZE41A-T5 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or investment cast only; excellent fluidity and pressure tightness with SF6/SO2-free cover-gas melt protection, zirconium-bearing melt requires low superheat and short holding to avoid Zr fade.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZE41A-T5?
ZE41A-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 ZE41A-T5 and ZE41A-F?
T5 is the default condition — standard production condition for aerospace gearbox and housing castings — best combination of strength, pressure tightness and stability to 150 °C. F: use only where strength is non-critical or for prototype/pattern-check castings; almost all production castings are aged to T5. Yield strength is 140 MPa in T5 versus 115 MPa in F.
Sources
- ASTM B80 — Standard Specification for Magnesium-Alloy Sand Castings — ASTM International (2021)
- AMS 4439 — Magnesium Alloy Castings, Sand, 4.2Zn–1.2RE–0.7Zr (ZE41A-T5) — SAE International (2018)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Magnesium and Magnesium Alloys — ASM International (1999)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.