Magnesium Alloy ZM1-T1
Temper · default condition
T1 = cooled from hot working and naturally aged
Standard supply condition for ZM1: age ~175 °C/16 h for peak yield strength with useful ductility.
Values for the T1 condition
Other ZM1 tempers and conditions
ZM1 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at ZM1.
- F
- T1
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Use for low-stress housings where the aging cycle is not worth the cost; strength ~15 % below T1. | 140 | 235 | 6 | 60 HB | 26 % IACS |
T1DefaultThis page Cooled from hot working and naturally aged | Standard supply condition for ZM1: age ~175 °C/16 h for peak yield strength with useful ductility. | 165 | 275 | 8 | 70 HB | 117 W/m·K |
What is ZM1-T1?
ZM1-T1 is ZM1 in the T1 temper — standard supply condition for ZM1: age ~175 °C/16 h for peak yield strength with useful ductility. ZM1-T1 has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — stronger than 67% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi). ZM1-T1 has a density of 1.81 g/cm³ (0.0654 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 550°C (1,022 °F).
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 28 % IACS, better than 85% of magnesium alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 117 W/m·K (67.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 80% of magnesium alloy grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 35 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 91% of magnesium alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 30/100, worse than 90% of magnesium alloy grades
ZM1-T1 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZM1-T1; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ZM1 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among magnesium alloy grades.
Physical3
ZM1-T1 has a density of 1.81 g/cm³ (0.0654 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of magnesium alloy grades. It melts at 550°C (1,022 °F).
Mechanical13
ZM1-T1 has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — stronger than 67% of magnesium alloy grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
Thermal6
ZM1-T1 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 117 W/m·K (67.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 80% of magnesium alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 27.1 µm/m·K (15.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZM1-T1 conducts electricity at 28 % IACS, better than 85% of magnesium alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (18/100), worse than 88% of magnesium alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZM1-T1 takes about 300 MJ of energy and emits 35 kg of CO₂ — less than 92% of magnesium alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
ZM1-T1's machinability is excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability poor (15/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ZM1-T1
Is ZM1 easy to machine?
Cuts very freely at high speed with sharp positive-rake tools and low forces; keep chips coarse and dry/mineral-oil cooled — fine dry chips are a fire hazard, never use water-based coolant floods on grinding dust.
Can ZM1 be welded?
Zn-rich Mg-Zn-Zr alloys are hot-crack sensitive; TIG repair with EZ33A/ZK-type filler and preheat 260–320 °C only for minor casting defects, avoid structural weld joints.
Can ZM1 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or permanent-mould casting with SF6-free (SO2/HFC) melt protection and sulphur/boron-inhibited sand; Zr addition needs an Al- and Si-free melt and settling to keep grain refinement effective.
What surface finishes work on ZM1?
Pickle then chromate/fluoride conversion (Dow 7/17) or HAE/PEO anodic coating followed by epoxy primer + topcoat; isolate all steel and CFRP fasteners to prevent galvanic attack.
ZM1 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 – 5.5 | 4.5 |
| Zrgrain refiner (soluble Zr) | 0.5 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Siimpurity max | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Feimpurity max | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Cuimpurity max | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Niimpurity max, corrosion critical | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Alimpurity max (Al poisons Zr refinement) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Other, totaltotal impurities | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Mg | balance | — |
ZM1-T1 — frequently asked
What is ZM1-T1 used for?
ZM1-T1 is typically used for aerospace fittings, high-strength cast brackets and instrument housings. In short: high-strength Mg-Zn-Zr casting; 150 °C service ceiling; hot-crack sensitive, avoid welding.
What is the yield strength of ZM1-T1?
ZM1-T1 has a typical yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — stronger than 67% of magnesium alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is ZM1-T1 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (95/100, better than 54% of magnesium alloy grades). Cuts very freely at high speed with sharp positive-rake tools and low forces; keep chips coarse and dry/mineral-oil cooled — fine dry chips are a fire hazard, never use water-based coolant floods on grinding dust.
Can ZM1-T1 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Zn-rich Mg-Zn-Zr alloys are hot-crack sensitive; TIG repair with EZ33A/ZK-type filler and preheat 260–320 °C only for minor casting defects, avoid structural weld joints.
What surface finishes work on ZM1-T1?
Pickle then chromate/fluoride conversion (Dow 7/17) or HAE/PEO anodic coating followed by epoxy primer + topcoat; isolate all steel and CFRP fasteners to prevent galvanic attack.
Can ZM1-T1 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or permanent-mould casting with SF6-free (SO2/HFC) melt protection and sulphur/boron-inhibited sand; Zr addition needs an Al- and Si-free melt and settling to keep grain refinement effective.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZM1-T1?
ZM1-T1 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 ZM1-T1 and ZM1-F?
T1 is the default condition — standard supply condition for ZM1: age ~175 °C/16 h for peak yield strength with useful ductility. F: use for low-stress housings where the aging cycle is not worth the cost; strength ~15 % below T1. Yield strength is 165 MPa in T1 versus 140 MPa in F.
Sources
- ASTM B80 Standard Specification for Magnesium-Alloy Sand Castings (ZK51A) — ASTM International (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Magnesium and Magnesium Alloys — ASM International (1999)
- ASM Handbook Vol.15 — Casting — ASM International (2008)
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.