Magnesium Alloy ZK60A · temper · default condition
Magnesium Alloy ZK60A-F
Properties of the F condition, compared with the other ZK60A tempers.
Default stock condition for extruded bar, shapes and tube where maximum strength is not required and some ductility is wanted.
What is ZK60A-F?
ZK60A-F is ZK60A in the F temper — default stock condition for extruded bar, shapes and tube where maximum strength is not required and some ductility is wanted. ZK60A-F has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — stronger than 99% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi). ZK60A-F has a density of 1.83 g/cm³ (0.0661 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 520°C (968 °F).
Advantages
- High strength — 260 MPa (37.7 ksi), better than 99% of magnesium alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 28 % IACS, better than 85% of magnesium alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 14%, better than 83% of magnesium alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 121 W/m·K (69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of magnesium alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 30/100, better than 81% of magnesium alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 98% of magnesium alloy grades
ZK60A-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZK60A-F — 39 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every ZK60A temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the magnesium alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
ZK60A-F has a density of 1.83 g/cm³ (0.0661 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 520°C (968 °F).
Mechanical14
ZK60A-F has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — stronger than 99% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
Thermal6
ZK60A-F is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 121 W/m·K (69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of magnesium alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 26 µm/m·K (14.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZK60A-F 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 ZK60A-F takes about 300 MJ of energy and emits 30 kg of CO₂ — less than 92% of magnesium alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability8
ZK60A-F's machinability is excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (30/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other ZK60A tempers and conditions
ZK60A is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the ZK60A overview.
- FDefaultDefault stock condition for extruded bar, shapes and tube where maximum strength is not required and some ductility is wanted.260 MPa yield · 75 HB
- T5Pick T5 (the standard high-strength condition for ZK60A extrusions and forgings) when maximum yield strength and fatigue life are needed.305 MPa yield · 84 HB
- T6Peak-aged ZK60A (Mg-6Zn-0.5Zr) with the highest yield strength of the grade, used for extrusions and forgings where strength-to-weight dominates.300 MPa yield · 88 HB
Working with ZK60A-F
Is ZK60A easy to machine?
Machines faster than any other structural metal with high speeds, sharp positive-rake tools and dry or mineral-oil cutting — never water-based coolant; collect and manage fine chips/dust for fire risk.
Can ZK60A be welded?
Poor fusion weldability: high-Zn, Mn-free Mg-Zn-Zr is hot-crack sensitive; use mechanical fastening or adhesive bonding, or GTAW with ZK/EZ33-type filler, low heat input and post-weld stress relief for non-critical joints.
Can ZK60A be formed, bent or molded?
Form only hot (250–400 °C) because of the HCP basal texture; bending, upsetting and forging are done warm, and cold bending should use generous radii (>5t) to avoid splitting.
What surface finishes work on ZK60A?
Chromate/fluoride conversion coat, HAE/Dow-17 anodize or PEO followed by epoxy primer and topcoat; insulate from steel/aluminium fasteners to avoid galvanic corrosion, and shot-peen highly loaded parts.
ZK60A 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 | 4.8 – 6.2 | 5.5 |
| Zr0.45 % minimum for grain refinement | ≥ 0.45 | 0.55 |
| Others (total)residual/impurity elements, each typically ≤0.05–0.10 % | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Mg | balance | — |
ZK60A-F — frequently asked
What is ZK60A-F used for?
ZK60A-F is typically used for aerospace fittings, defense components and brackets. In short: high-strength aerospace magnesium.
What is the yield strength of ZK60A-F?
ZK60A-F has a typical yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — stronger than 99% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is ZK60A-F easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades). Machines faster than any other structural metal with high speeds, sharp positive-rake tools and dry or mineral-oil cutting — never water-based coolant; collect and manage fine chips/dust for fire risk.
Can ZK60A-F be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Poor fusion weldability: high-Zn, Mn-free Mg-Zn-Zr is hot-crack sensitive; use mechanical fastening or adhesive bonding, or GTAW with ZK/EZ33-type filler, low heat input and post-weld stress relief for non-critical joints.
What surface finishes work on ZK60A-F?
Chromate/fluoride conversion coat, HAE/Dow-17 anodize or PEO followed by epoxy primer and topcoat; insulate from steel/aluminium fasteners to avoid galvanic corrosion, and shot-peen highly loaded parts.
Can ZK60A-F be formed, bent or molded?
Form only hot (250–400 °C) because of the HCP basal texture; bending, upsetting and forging are done warm, and cold bending should use generous radii (>5t) to avoid splitting.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZK60A-F?
ZK60A-F 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 ZK60A-F and ZK60A-T5?
F is the default condition — default stock condition for extruded bar, shapes and tube where maximum strength is not required and some ductility is wanted. T5: pick T5 (the standard high-strength condition for ZK60A extrusions and forgings) when maximum yield strength and fatigue life are needed. Yield strength is 260 MPa in F versus 305 MPa in T5.
Can FabDigit make parts in ZK60A-F?
Yes — ZK60A-F is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B107/B107M — Magnesium-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Profiles, Tubes and Wire — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B91 — Magnesium-Alloy Forgings — ASTM International (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Magnesium alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Magnesium and Magnesium Alloys — ASM International (1999)
- MMPDS / MatWeb typical property listings for ZK60A — Battelle / MatWeb (2023)
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.