Magnesium Alloy ZK30
ASTM ZK30 · EN MgZn3Zr · ISO ISO-WD32250
ZK30 (MgZn3Zr) is a zirconium-refined Mg-Zn wrought alloy supplied in F, T5 and T6, with the fine grain structure typical of Zr-refined magnesium.
Reference datasheet — ZK30 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 F condition
ZK30 tempers and conditions
ZK30 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. F 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDefault As fabricated | Standard stock condition for ZK30 bar, profile and tube; best ductility and lowest cost. | 195 | 275 | 13 | 58 HB | 28 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Choose when a 10–20 % strength gain over as-extruded is needed without a separate solution treatment; slightly lower ductility. | 230 | 300 | 10 | 68 HB | 29 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Occasional special-order condition for maximum and most uniform strength in heavy sections; rarely stocked for ZK30. | 250 | 315 | 10 | 72 HB | — |
What is ZK30?
ZK30 (MgZn3Zr) is a zirconium-refined Mg-Zn wrought alloy supplied in F, T5 and T6, with the fine grain structure typical of Zr-refined magnesium. Engineers use it for extruded rod, bar and profiles where a density of 1.8 g/cm³, 195 MPa yield, 275 MPa tensile and 13 % elongation are enough, along with 122 W/m·K conductivity and 95 machinability. Weldability (30) and formability (35) are poor, corrosion resistance scores 25 and service is limited to 120 °C. ZK60 is the higher-strength alternative; AZ31 is the choice when sheet forming or welding dominates. ZK30 has a density of 1.8 g/cm³ (0.065 lb/in³), lighter than 63% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 535°C (995 °F). ZK30 has a yield strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — stronger than 82% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
What is ZK30 used for?
- Extruded rod and bar stock
- Moderate-strength structural extrusions
- Machined lightweight brackets from bar
- Extruded frame profiles for portable equipment
- Sporting-goods tubing
- Weight-critical instrument housings
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 122 W/m·K (70.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of magnesium alloy grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 16 MPa·√m (14.6 ksi·√in), better than 87% of magnesium alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 35/100, better than 87% of magnesium alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 28 % IACS, better than 85% of magnesium alloy grades
- High strength — 195 MPa (28.3 ksi), better than 82% of magnesium alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 30/100, worse than 90% of magnesium alloy grades
- High embodied carbon — 34 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 90% of magnesium alloy grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 78% of magnesium alloy grades
ZK30 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZK30-F; bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
ZK30 has a density of 1.8 g/cm³ (0.065 lb/in³), lighter than 63% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 535°C (995 °F).
Mechanical14
ZK30 has a yield strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — stronger than 82% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
Thermal6
ZK30 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 122 W/m·K (70.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of magnesium alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 26.5 µm/m·K (14.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZK30 conducts electricity at 28 % IACS, better than 85% of magnesium alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (25/100), better than 64% of magnesium alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZK30 takes about 330 MJ of energy and emits 34 kg of CO₂ — less than 56% of magnesium alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
ZK30's machinability is excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. ZK30 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ZK30
Is ZK30 easy to machine?
Machines faster than any aluminium — high speeds, sharp positive-rake tools, dry or with mineral oil; never use water-based coolant on fine chips and keep swarf collected to avoid fire risk.
Can ZK30 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW possible in inert gas but Zn-Zr composition is hot-crack sensitive; use matching Mg-Zn-Zr or EZ33-type filler, preheat and low restraint, and prefer friction-stir or mechanical joining for structural parts.
Can ZK30 be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes readily at 300–400 °C with finer grain than ZK60; cold formability is poor — bend, deep draw or roll form warm (200–300 °C) with generous radii.
ZK30 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 strengthening element | 2.5 – 4 | 3 |
| Zrgrain refiner | 0.45 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Alimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Mnimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Cuimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Feimpurity limit; controls corrosion rate | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Niimpurity limit; controls corrosion rate | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Mg | balance |
What surface finishes work on ZK30?
Not sulfuric-anodizable; apply chrome-free conversion coating, HAE/Dow 17 or plasma electrolytic oxidation plus epoxy sealing, and always isolate from steel/copper/CFRP fasteners to prevent galvanic attack.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Magnesium Alloy ZK30 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- MgZn3Zr
- ISO
- ISO-WD32250
How much does ZK30 cost?
ZK30 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.
ZK30 — frequently asked
What is ZK30 used for?
ZK30 is typically used for extruded rod and bar stock, moderate-strength structural extrusions, machined lightweight brackets from bar, extruded frame profiles for portable equipment, sporting-goods tubing and weight-critical instrument housings. In short: fine-grain Zr-refined extrusion alloy; lower-strength ZK60 alternative; poor weldability, high machinability.
What is the yield strength of ZK30?
ZK30 has a typical yield strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — stronger than 82% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is ZK30 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades). Machines faster than any aluminium — high speeds, sharp positive-rake tools, dry or with mineral oil; never use water-based coolant on fine chips and keep swarf collected to avoid fire risk.
Can ZK30 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). GTAW/GMAW possible in inert gas but Zn-Zr composition is hot-crack sensitive; use matching Mg-Zn-Zr or EZ33-type filler, preheat and low restraint, and prefer friction-stir or mechanical joining for structural parts.
What surface finishes work on ZK30?
Not sulfuric-anodizable; apply chrome-free conversion coating, HAE/Dow 17 or plasma electrolytic oxidation plus epoxy sealing, and always isolate from steel/copper/CFRP fasteners to prevent galvanic attack.
Can ZK30 be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes readily at 300–400 °C with finer grain than ZK60; cold formability is poor — bend, deep draw or roll form warm (200–300 °C) with generous radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZK30?
ZK30 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ZK30-F and ZK30-T6?
F is the default condition — standard stock condition for ZK30 bar, profile and tube; best ductility and lowest cost. T6: occasional special-order condition for maximum and most uniform strength in heavy sections; rarely stocked for ZK30. Yield strength is 195 MPa in F versus 250 MPa in T6.
How much does ZK30 cost?
ZK30 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
- ISO 3116 — Magnesium and magnesium alloys: wrought magnesium alloys — ISO (2019)
- ASTM B107/B107M — Magnesium-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Profiles, Tubes and Wire — ASTM International (2021)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Magnesium and Magnesium Alloys — ASM International (1999)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.