Magnesium alloy AZ61 AZ61
Mg-Al-Zn alloy: Al 5.8 to 7.2 wt%, Zn 0.4 to 1.5 wt%, Mn 0.15 to 0.5 wt%, Si max 0.10, Cu max 0.05, Ni max 0.005, Fe max 0.005, Mg balance (PMC Table 1). Nominal Mg 93, Al 6, Zn 1 (Goodfellow listing, printed as Mg 93/Al 6/Zn 1).
Also known as UNS M11610, EN 3.5612, EN name MgAl6Zn1, ASTM B91, ASTM B107, AMS 4350 · 4 more
AZ61 is a magnesium alloy with about 6 wt% aluminium and 1 wt% zinc.
Evidence level
2 of 5
Lab-measured
- 0Predicted only. No one has made it, or no measurement exists.
- 1Calculated. Only calculated or predicted values from sources.
- 2Lab-measured. Measured properties with their conditions stated.
- 3Space-relevant tests. Measured in conditions relevant to space, such as vacuum or atomic oxygen.
- 4Ground-qualified. Qualified for an application on the ground.
- 5Flown or field-proven. Flight or field results exist.
Weight
1.8 g/cm3
Strength, as drawn rod
310 MPa tensile
Forging minimum
262 MPa tensile, 151.7 MPa yield
Heat conduction
79.5 W/(m·K)
Thermal expansion
26 ppm/K
Recipe, share of the weight
- Mg balanceMagnesium
- Al 5.8 to 7.2%Aluminium
- Zn 0.4 to 1.5%Zinc
- Mn 0.15 to 0.5%Manganese
- Si, Cu, Ni, Fe maximum: Si 0.10, Cu 0.05, Ni 0.005, Fe 0.005Impurity limits
Best for
Forged structural parts such as aircraft mounts, made from a cast preform and kept out of salt water (the 2021 study forged this way)
Weakest at
Corrosion in chloride solutions (the readable sources give trends, not an AZ61 rate), and fire risk from magnesium metal (element-level GHS statements)
Risk at a glance
- People No data. No hazard data recorded
- If it fails High. Fire or flammable gas from magnesium metal
- Corrosion No data. No corrosion data recorded
Quick facts: AZ61
| Property | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.8 g/cm³ | 1 sourced value |
| Yield strength | at least 152 MPa | 1 sourced value |
| Tensile strength | 262 to 310 MPa | 2 sourced values across conditions |
| Thermal conductivity | 79.5 W/(m·K) | 1 sourced value |
| Thermal expansion (CTE) | 26 ppm/K | 1 sourced value |
| Melting point | 525 to 610 °C | 1 sourced value |
| Specific heat | 1,050 J/(kg·K) | 1 sourced value |
| Electrical resistivity | 1.2e-7 Ω·m | 1 sourced value |
What is the density of Magnesium alloy AZ61?
Magnesium alloy AZ61 has a density of 1.8 g/cm³. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the thermal conductivity of Magnesium alloy AZ61?
Magnesium alloy AZ61 has a thermal conductivity of 79.5 W/(m·K). The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the coefficient of thermal expansion of Magnesium alloy AZ61?
Magnesium alloy AZ61 has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 26 ppm/K. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the melting point of Magnesium alloy AZ61?
Magnesium alloy AZ61 has a melting point of 525 to 610 °C. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the yield strength of Magnesium alloy AZ61?
Magnesium alloy AZ61 has a yield strength of at least 152 MPa. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What are the other names and codes for Magnesium alloy AZ61?
Magnesium alloy AZ61 is also written as UNS M11610, EN 3.5612, EN name MgAl6Zn1, ASTM B91, ASTM B107, AMS 4350. Each code is printed in the source listed beside it in the designations table.
What is Magnesium alloy AZ61 used for?
Uses recorded in the sources include Aircraft mount forgings; Aerospace and automotive parts.
Why it exists
AZ61 is a magnesium alloy with about 6% aluminium. The 2021 study chose it for aircraft mount forgings because sand-cast preforms could be shaped near the final part and forged in one operation. The USGS says 69% of 2025 primary magnesium consumption went into castings, principally automotive, so forged parts are a smaller share of the market.
Where it's used
Aircraft mount forgings
The 2021 study forged sand-cast AZ61 preforms into aircraft mount forgings in one die-hammer operation.
Aerospace and automotive parts
The study says AZ61 is of interest to the aerospace and automotive industries.
Recipe
Mg-Al-Zn alloy: Al 5.8 to 7.2 wt%, Zn 0.4 to 1.5 wt%, Mn 0.15 to 0.5 wt%, Si max 0.10, Cu max 0.05, Ni max 0.005, Fe max 0.005, Mg balance (PMC Table 1). Nominal Mg 93, Al 6, Zn 1 (Goodfellow listing, printed as Mg 93/Al 6/Zn 1).
Wrought-grade Mg-Al-Zn alloy with about 6 wt% aluminium and 1 wt% zinc (Goodfellow nominal: Mg 93, Al 6, Zn 1). In the 2021 study the alloy was sand cast as a preform, annealed at 415 °C for 24 h, solution treated at 415 °C for 6 h with water cooling, and aged at 175 °C for 24 h (Section 2.2).
| Ingredient | Share of the weight | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Magnesium Mg | balance | The base metal and the balance of the alloy. |
| Aluminium Al | 5.8 to 7.2% | Main alloying addition. |
| Zinc Zn | 0.4 to 1.5% | Second alloying addition. |
| Manganese Mn | 0.15 to 0.5% | Minor addition. |
| Impurity limits Si, Cu, Ni, Fe | maximum: Si 0.10, Cu 0.05, Ni 0.005, Fe 0.005 | Limits on impurities. |
Weight shares are as printed in the sources.
What it can do
Weight
1.8 g/cm3
measured
The Goodfellow rod listing gives density as 1.8 g/cm3.
Strength, as drawn rod
310 MPa tensile
measured
The Goodfellow rod listing gives 310 MPa tensile and 16% elongation at break, as drawn.
Forging minimum
262 MPa tensile, 151.7 MPa yield
measured
ASTM B91 forgings are listed at least 262 MPa tensile, 151.7 MPa yield and 6% elongation, at 0 to 30 °C.
Heat conduction
79.5 W/(m·K)
measured
Thermal conductivity is 79.5 W/(m·K) at 0 °C on the Goodfellow rod listing.
Thermal expansion
26 ppm/K
measured
The Goodfellow listing gives a mean coefficient of thermal expansion of 26 ppm/K over 20 to 100 °C.
How it compares
The USGS says aluminium and zinc may substitute for magnesium in castings and wrought products. Magnesium's light weight is an advantage over them in most applications, but its high cost is a disadvantage. This profile holds no strength-per-mass figures for aluminium or zinc, so it does not rank AZ61 against them.
The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details. Other materials are shown beside it; each was measured under its own conditions, so open its page before comparing closely. Compare every grade in the family.
| Measurement | AZ61 | AZ31B | Mg | AJ62 | EV31A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal behavior and safety | |||||
| Melting range | 525 to 610 °C2 | 605 to 630 °C | 650 °C | no data | 545 to 640 °C |
| Specific heat capacity | 1050 J/(kg·K)3 | 1001 J/(kg·K) | no data | no data | 1086 J/(kg·K) |
| Thermal conductivity | 79.5 W/(m·K)4 | 96 W/(m·K) | 156 W/m·K | no data | 116 W/(m·K) |
| Physical and electrical | |||||
| Density, rod listing | 1.8 g/cm³1 | 1.8 g/cm³ | 1.74 g/cm³ | no data | 1.82 g/cm³ |
| Electrical resistivity, rod listing | 12.5 µOhm·cm9 | no data | 45.4 nΩ·m | no data | 94.6 nΩm |
| Hardness HV05, forging II after forging and heat treatmentHardness table, mean HV05 (Table 7) | 75.5 HV0513 | no data | 35 HV | no data | 47 HV1 |
| Other measurements | |||||
| Coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 100 °C | 26 ppm/K5 | 26 ppm/K | no data | no data | 26.3 ppm/K |
| Tensile strength, rod listing, as drawn | 310 MPa6 | 290 MPa | 140 to 160 MPa | 225.3 MPa | 248 MPa |
| Elongation at break, rod listing, as drawn | 16 %7 | 15 % | no data | 7.43 % | no data |
| Shear strength, rod listing, as drawn | 140 MPa8 | no data | no data | no data | no data |
| Tensile strength minimum, ASTM B91 forgings | > 262 MPa10 | 290 MPa | 140 to 160 MPa | 225.3 MPa | 248 MPa |
| Yield strength Rp0.2 minimum, ASTM B91 forgings | > 151.7 MPa11 | no data | no data | 123.5 MPa | 145 MPa |
| Elongation minimum, ASTM B91 forgings | > 6 %12 | 15 % | no data | 7.43 % | no data |
Why choose it, and why not
Good for
- Forged structural parts such as aircraft mounts, the use the 2021 study tested.
- Parts made from a cast preform. The study says forging from sand-cast preforms used about 18% to 47% less material than forging from extruded rod.
- Light parts. Density is 1.8 g/cm3 on the Goodfellow listing.
Watch out for
- Corrosion in chloride. The MSU study immersed and salt-sprayed extruded AZ61 for 60 h. The readable page gives trends, not a rate.
- Condition. The 310 MPa figure is for as-drawn rod, the 262 and 151.7 MPa figures are ASTM B91 forging minimums, and the 75.5 HV05 hardness is after the study's heat treatment.
- Fire. The GHS statements for magnesium metal are element-level: H250 and H260.
AZ61 is a light magnesium alloy with about 6% aluminium and 1% zinc, a density of 1.8 g/cm3, and a 2021 study showing it can be forged from cast preforms into aircraft mounts. The readable sources describe its corrosion in salt solutions only as trends, so no base-alloy corrosion rate is recorded.
Technical details
For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.
Other names and standards
The same grade under other systems, as datasheets and standards print them. Each code was checked against the page it comes from.
| System | Codes |
|---|---|
| UNS | M11610 |
| EN | 3.5612 |
| EN name | MgAl6Zn1 |
| ASTM | B91 (forgings), B107 |
| AMS | 4350 (AZ61A-F extrusions) |
| QQ-M-40B | |
| Name | AZ61A, AZ61A-F, EN1753 MG-P-63 |
Notes
The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.
| # | Measurement | Method | Conditions | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Density, rod listing | Physical Properties table of a supplier rod listing | temperature not statedbasis value on the rod listing, printed rounded to one decimal place | — |
| 2 | Melting range | Thermal Properties table of a supplier rod listing | basis range as printed on the rod listing | — |
| 3 | Specific heat capacity | Thermal Properties table of a supplier rod listing (printed as J K-1 kg-1) | temperature 23 °C | — |
| 4 | Thermal conductivity | Thermal Properties table of a supplier rod listing (printed as W m-1 K-1) | temperature 0 °C | — |
| 5 | Coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 100 °C | Thermal Properties table of a supplier rod listing | temperature range 20 to 100 °Cunit in source x10-6 K-1 (same as ppm/K) | — |
| 6 | Tensile strength, rod listing, as drawn | Mechanical Properties table of a supplier rod listing | temper As Drawn (printed on the listing)product form rodtemperature not stated | — |
| 7 | Elongation at break, rod listing, as drawn | Mechanical Properties table of a supplier rod listing | temper As Drawn (printed on the listing)product form rodtemperature not stated | — |
| 8 | Shear strength, rod listing, as drawn | Mechanical Properties table of a supplier rod listing | temper As Drawn (printed on the listing)product form rod | Not in spores/property-canon.yaml; the snake_case name shear_strength is used. |
| 9 | Electrical resistivity, rod listing | Electrical Properties table of a supplier rod listing (printed as µOhmcm) | product form rodtemperature not stated | — |
| 10 | Tensile strength minimum, ASTM B91 forgings | Mechanical properties minimum listed for B91 on a standards database page | product form forgings (ASTM B91, 2017)temperature range 0 to 30 °Cbasis specification minimum, not a typical value | — |
| 11 | Yield strength Rp0.2 minimum, ASTM B91 forgings | Mechanical properties minimum listed for B91 on a standards database page | product form forgings (ASTM B91, 2017)temperature range 0 to 30 °Cbasis specification minimum, not a typical value | — |
| 12 | Elongation minimum, ASTM B91 forgings | Mechanical properties minimum listed for B91 on a standards database page | product form forgings (ASTM B91, 2017)temperature range 0 to 30 °Cbasis specification minimum, not a typical value | — |
| 13 | Hardness HV05, forging II after forging and heat treatment | — | form cast preform forged in one operation, then heat treated (Section 2.2 solution treatment 415 °C for 6 h, water cooling; aging 175 °C for 24 h, air cooling)test HV0.5 per PN-EN ISO 6507-1:2006 (as printed)spread std. dev. 1.6 (printed) | Not in spores/property-canon.yaml; the snake_case name hardness_vickers is used. A single study value. |
Corrosion and compatibility
What happens when it meets other materials and environments.
| Environment | Concern | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Extruded AZ61 coupons in aerated 3.5 wt% NaCl at room temperature (immersion), and in 3.5 wt% NaCl spray at 35 °C alternating with humid and drying stages (cyclic), over 60 h | not rated | The study compares immersion and salt spray for AZ61 but the readable text gives no corrosion rate.1 |
| # | Environment | Details | Test conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Extruded AZ61 coupons in aerated 3.5 wt% NaCl at room temperature (immersion), and in 3.5 wt% NaCl spray at 35 °C alternating with humid and drying stages (cyclic), over 60 h | Salt-spray coupons lost less weight and gained weight; both trends were described as linear (Figure 1). Immersion coupons lost less thickness than salt-spray coupons; both followed a logarithmic trend (Figure 2). The figures are image-only, so no numbers are recorded. | temperature room temperature (immersion); 35 °C (spray)duration over 60 halloy extruded AZ61 (composition not stated on the page) |
Risks and side effects
Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.
For people
The only hazard data opened is PubChem's GHS data for magnesium metal. It is element-level, not a classification of AZ61 as supplied.
- Fire statements
- Magnesium metal is listed as catching fire spontaneously if exposed to air (H250) and as releasing flammable gases on contact with water (H260).
- Not covered
- No safety data sheet for the alloy was opened, and no dust or fume data for machining or welding was found.
If it fails
The failure routes come from the corrosion study and the GHS statements.
- Chloride corrosion
- Extruded AZ61 coupons were immersed or salt-sprayed for 60 h. The study reports trends for the weight and thickness loss, not a rate.
Handling and storage
- Water
- Contact with water releases flammable gas (H260), so keep the metal dry.
- Fire
- PubChem lists water, foam, halogenated agents and carbon dioxide as agents not to be used on a magnesium fire.
Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.
Failure risks
| Failure | Trigger and consequence |
|---|---|
| Chloride corrosion of uncoated AZ61moderate severity | Immersion in 3.5 wt% NaCl or cyclic salt spray (study conditions)Extruded coupons lost thickness over 60 h; the readable text gives trends only, not a rate |
| Fire or flammable gas from magnesium metalhigh severity | Contact with water (H260) or exposure to air of pyrophoric forms (H250)The GHS statements say the element can release flammable gas or catch fire spontaneously (element-level, not the alloy as supplied) |
Handling and storage
- The GHS statements say that contact with water releases flammable gas (H260). Keep the metal dry and away from water.
- PubChem lists fire extinguishing agents not to be used as water, foam, halogenated agents and carbon dioxide, and inert dry powders as the agents to use.
- The Goodfellow rod listing says a US regulation safety data sheet is available and that other languages can be supplied on request. Read the SDS for the exact product before cutting, grinding or welding.
Supply and geography
How common the raw materials are and where they come from.
Magnesium metal, world primary (smelter) production (AZ61 is made from this metal; no alloy-specific supply data was read)
USGS: resources for magnesium range from large to virtually unlimited and are globally widespread. Magnesium-bearing brines are estimated to constitute a resource in the billions of tons.
- Top producers (2025)
- China 87.7%, Russia 5.5%, Brazil 1.8%, Israel 1.8%, Turkey 1.4%, Kazakhstan 1.2%, Iran 0.5%, United States 0%
- Critical mineral lists
- US: listed
- Recycling
- USGS: In 2025, about 26,000 tons of secondary magnesium was recovered from old scrap and 82,000 tons from new scrap.
- Substitutes
- USGS: Aluminum and zinc may substitute for magnesium in castings and wrought products. The relatively light weight of magnesium is an advantage over aluminum and zinc in most applications; however, its high cost is a disadvantage relative to these substitutes.
Magnesium metal (99.8% purity) imported to the United States, 2021 to 2024
- Top producers
- Israel 47%, Turkey 31%, Russia 8%, China 6%
Documents
Datasheets, safety data sheets, papers and standards you can open.
Full record
The complete spore, as stored. Free to reuse under CC-BY-4.0. Images keep the licence shown with each one.
Show the full YAML
spore: profile
id: magnesium-az61
spore_version: 0.2
family: magnesium-alloys
name: Magnesium alloy AZ61
abbreviation: AZ61
role: forged structural alloy
category: metals
type: magnesium
summary: |
AZ61 is a magnesium alloy with about 6 wt% aluminium and 1 wt% zinc. A 2021 study forged sand-cast AZ61 preforms into aircraft mount parts in one die-hammer operation, and hardness rose from 63.6 to 75.5 HV05 after heat treatment. The ASTM B91 forging minimum is 262 MPa tensile and 151.7 MPa yield, and the Goodfellow rod listing gives 310 MPa tensile in the as-drawn condition.
best_for: Forged structural parts such as aircraft mounts, made from a cast preform and kept out of salt water (the 2021 study forged this way)
weakest_at: Corrosion in chloride solutions (the readable sources give trends, not an AZ61 rate), and fire risk from magnesium metal (element-level GHS statements)
identity:
formula: 'Mg-Al-Zn alloy: Al 5.8 to 7.2 wt%, Zn 0.4 to 1.5 wt%, Mn 0.15 to 0.5 wt%, Si max 0.10, Cu max 0.05, Ni max 0.005, Fe max 0.005, Mg balance (PMC Table 1). Nominal Mg 93, Al 6, Zn 1 (Goodfellow listing, printed as Mg 93/Al 6/Zn 1).'
designations:
- system: UNS
code: M11610
source: azom-az61a-uns
where: 'Page title and heading: Grade AZ61A (UNS M11610)'
- system: Name
code: AZ61A
source: aircraftmaterials-az61a
where: 'Page title: Magnesium Alloy AZ61A'
- system: Name
code: AZ61A-F
source: aircraftmaterials-az61a
where: Round Bar material names
- system: ASTM
code: B91
note: forgings
source: totalmateria-astm-b91-az61a
where: 'Specification line: B91: 2017 / Magnesium-Alloy Forgings'
- system: ASTM
code: B107
source: aircraftmaterials-az61a
where: Specifications list
- system: AMS
code: '4350'
note: AZ61A-F extrusions
source: aircraftmaterials-az61a
where: Specifications list
- system: QQ
code: QQ-M-40B
source: aircraftmaterials-az61a
where: Specifications list
- system: Name
code: EN1753 MG-P-63
source: aircraftmaterials-az61a
where: Specifications list, European / AECMA line
- system: EN
code: '3.5612'
source: aircraftmaterials-az61a
where: Specifications list, Werkstoff 3.5612
- system: EN name
code: MgAl6Zn1
source: goodfellow-az61-rod
where: EN designation line
source: pmc-az61-forging
where: Table 1 (composition, wt%); Goodfellow rod listing for the nominal composition and the MgAl6Zn1 formula
tags:
environments: []
applications:
- structures
properties:
- benchmark: density
label: Density, rod listing
value: 1.8
unit: g/cm3
scope: material
conditions:
temperature: not stated
basis: value on the rod listing, printed rounded to one decimal place
method: Physical Properties table of a supplier rod listing
status: ground
source: goodfellow-az61-rod
where: Physical Properties table, Density row (printed as gcm-3)
- benchmark: melting_point
label: Melting range
value: 525
value_high: 610
bound: range
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
basis: range as printed on the rod listing
method: Thermal Properties table of a supplier rod listing
status: ground
source: goodfellow-az61-rod
where: Thermal Properties table, Melting point row (printed 525-610)
- benchmark: specific_heat
label: Specific heat capacity
value: 1050
unit: J/(kg·K)
scope: material
conditions:
temperature: 23 °C
method: Thermal Properties table of a supplier rod listing (printed as J K-1 kg-1)
status: ground
source: goodfellow-az61-rod
where: Thermal Properties table, Specific heat row (printed 1050@23°C)
- benchmark: thermal_conductivity
label: Thermal conductivity
value: 79.5
unit: W/(m·K)
scope: material
conditions:
temperature: 0 °C
method: Thermal Properties table of a supplier rod listing (printed as W m-1 K-1)
status: ground
source: goodfellow-az61-rod
where: Thermal Properties table, Thermal conductivity row (printed 79.5@0°C)
- benchmark: cte
label: Coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 100 °C
value: 26
unit: ppm/K
scope: material
conditions:
temperature_range: 20 to 100 °C
unit_in_source: x10-6 K-1 (same as ppm/K)
method: Thermal Properties table of a supplier rod listing
status: ground
source: goodfellow-az61-rod
where: Thermal Properties table, Coefficient of thermal expansion row (printed 26@20-100°C)
- benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Tensile strength, rod listing, as drawn
value: 310
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
temper: As Drawn (printed on the listing)
product_form: rod
temperature: not stated
method: Mechanical Properties table of a supplier rod listing
status: ground
source: goodfellow-az61-rod
where: Mechanical Properties table, Tensile strength row
- benchmark: elongation
label: Elongation at break, rod listing, as drawn
value: 16
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
temper: As Drawn (printed on the listing)
product_form: rod
temperature: not stated
method: Mechanical Properties table of a supplier rod listing
status: ground
source: goodfellow-az61-rod
where: Mechanical Properties table, Elongation at break row
- benchmark: shear_strength
label: Shear strength, rod listing, as drawn
value: 140
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
temper: As Drawn (printed on the listing)
product_form: rod
method: Mechanical Properties table of a supplier rod listing
status: ground
source: goodfellow-az61-rod
where: Mechanical Properties table, Shear strength row
note: Not in spores/property-canon.yaml; the snake_case name shear_strength is used.
- benchmark: electrical_resistivity
label: Electrical resistivity, rod listing
value: 12.5
unit: µOhm·cm
scope: material
conditions:
product_form: rod
temperature: not stated
method: Electrical Properties table of a supplier rod listing (printed as µOhmcm)
status: ground
source: goodfellow-az61-rod
where: Electrical Properties table, Electrical resistivity row (printed 12.5)
- benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Tensile strength minimum, ASTM B91 forgings
value: 262
bound: lower
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
product_form: forgings (ASTM B91, 2017)
temperature_range: 0 to 30 °C
basis: specification minimum, not a typical value
method: Mechanical properties minimum listed for B91 on a standards database page
status: ground
source: totalmateria-astm-b91-az61a
where: Mechanical properties table, Tensile strength row (listed as at least 262 MPa, 0-30 °C)
- benchmark: yield_strength
label: Yield strength Rp0.2 minimum, ASTM B91 forgings
value: 151.7
bound: lower
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
product_form: forgings (ASTM B91, 2017)
temperature_range: 0 to 30 °C
basis: specification minimum, not a typical value
method: Mechanical properties minimum listed for B91 on a standards database page
status: ground
source: totalmateria-astm-b91-az61a
where: Mechanical properties table, Yield strength Rp0.2 row (listed as at least 151.7 MPa, 0-30 °C)
- benchmark: elongation
label: Elongation minimum, ASTM B91 forgings
value: 6
bound: lower
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
product_form: forgings (ASTM B91, 2017)
temperature_range: 0 to 30 °C
basis: specification minimum, not a typical value
method: Mechanical properties minimum listed for B91 on a standards database page
status: ground
source: totalmateria-astm-b91-az61a
where: Mechanical properties table, Elongation A row (listed as at least 6 %, 0-30 °C)
- benchmark: hardness_vickers
label: Hardness HV05, forging II after forging and heat treatment
value: 75.5
unit: HV05
scope: material
conditions:
form: cast preform forged in one operation, then heat treated (Section 2.2 solution treatment 415 °C for 6 h, water cooling; aging 175 °C for 24 h, air cooling)
test: HV0.5 per PN-EN ISO 6507-1:2006 (as printed)
spread: std. dev. 1.6 (printed)
method: Hardness table, mean HV05 (Table 7)
status: ground
source: pmc-az61-forging
where: Section 2.3 and Table 7, row Forging II after forging and heat treatment (mean 75.5, std. dev. 1.6)
note: Not in spores/property-canon.yaml; the snake_case name hardness_vickers is used. A single study value.
corrosion:
- environment: Extruded AZ61 coupons in aerated 3.5 wt% NaCl at room temperature (immersion), and in 3.5 wt% NaCl spray at 35 °C alternating with humid and drying stages (cyclic), over 60 h
headline: The study compares immersion and salt spray for AZ61 but the readable text gives no corrosion rate.
effect: Salt-spray coupons lost less weight and gained weight; both trends were described as linear (Figure 1). Immersion coupons lost less thickness than salt-spray coupons; both followed a logarithmic trend (Figure 2). The figures are image-only, so no numbers are recorded.
conditions:
temperature: room temperature (immersion); 35 °C (spray)
duration: over 60 h
alloy: extruded AZ61 (composition not stated on the page)
source: cavs-az61-corrosion
where: Results, Figures 1 and 2 (captions); Methods text
rating: unknown
risks:
hazards:
- text: PubChem's aggregated GHS reports for magnesium metal (2,205 company reports from 27 ECHA notifications) give flammable solid (44.9%), pyrophoric solid (36.5%) and self-heating (18%). The hazard statements printed are H250 (catches fire spontaneously if exposed to air) and H260 (in contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously). 18.4% of reports (405 of 2,205) say the element does not meet GHS criteria. These are element-level statements, not a classification of AZ61 as supplied.
ghs:
- H250
- H260
source: pubchem-mg
where: Safety and Hazards, Hazards Identification, GHS Classification (CID 5462224)
failure_risks:
- mode: Chloride corrosion of uncoated AZ61
trigger: Immersion in 3.5 wt% NaCl or cyclic salt spray (study conditions)
consequence: Extruded coupons lost thickness over 60 h; the readable text gives trends only, not a rate
severity: moderate
source: cavs-az61-corrosion
where: Results, Figures 1 and 2; Methods
- mode: Fire or flammable gas from magnesium metal
trigger: Contact with water (H260) or exposure to air of pyrophoric forms (H250)
consequence: The GHS statements say the element can release flammable gas or catch fire spontaneously (element-level, not the alloy as supplied)
severity: high
source: pubchem-mg
where: GHS Classification, H250 and H260 statements (CID 5462224)
side_effects: []
handling:
- text: The GHS statements say that contact with water releases flammable gas (H260). Keep the metal dry and away from water.
source: pubchem-mg
where: GHS Classification, H260 statement (CID 5462224)
- text: PubChem lists fire extinguishing agents not to be used as water, foam, halogenated agents and carbon dioxide, and inert dry powders as the agents to use.
source: pubchem-mg
where: Safety and Hazards, Fire Fighting, Fire Extinguishing Agents
- text: The Goodfellow rod listing says a US regulation safety data sheet is available and that other languages can be supplied on request. Read the SDS for the exact product before cutting, grinding or welding.
source: goodfellow-az61-rod
where: Product page, SDS notice
mitigations: []
uses:
- application: structures
device: Aircraft mount forgings
example: The 2021 study forged sand-cast AZ61 preforms into aircraft mount forgings in one die-hammer operation, and compared the process with forging from extruded rod.
source: pmc-az61-forging
where: Abstract; Section 3.1 (material consumption)
- application: structures
device: Aerospace and automotive parts
example: The study says AZ61 is of interest to the aerospace and automotive industries. This is a general statement, not a list of parts.
source: pmc-az61-forging
where: Section 1 (Introduction), sentence on AZ61
supply:
- subject: Magnesium metal, world primary (smelter) production (AZ61 is made from this metal; no alloy-specific supply data was read)
abundance: 'USGS: resources for magnesium range from large to virtually unlimited and are globally widespread. Magnesium-bearing brines are estimated to constitute a resource in the billions of tons.'
producers:
- country: China
share_percent: 87.7
year: 2025
- country: Russia
share_percent: 5.5
year: 2025
- country: Brazil
share_percent: 1.8
year: 2025
- country: Israel
share_percent: 1.8
year: 2025
- country: Turkey
share_percent: 1.4
year: 2025
- country: Kazakhstan
share_percent: 1.2
year: 2025
- country: Iran
share_percent: 0.5
year: 2025
- country: United States
share_percent: 0
year: 2025
critical_lists:
- list: USGS 2025 final List of Critical Minerals (magnesium; page read through the fetch tool)
listed: true
where: 'Quoted line: "Magnesium, used in metal alloys used by aerospace, automotive and electronics industries" (page dated November 6, 2025)'
recycling: 'USGS: In 2025, about 26,000 tons of secondary magnesium was recovered from old scrap and 82,000 tons from new scrap.'
substitutes:
- 'USGS: Aluminum and zinc may substitute for magnesium in castings and wrought products. The relatively light weight of magnesium is an advantage over aluminum and zinc in most applications; however, its high cost is a disadvantage relative to these substitutes.'
source: usgs-mcs2026-magnesium-metal
where: 'World Primary Production and Reserves table, smelter production 2025 (world total 1,100 thousand t, rounded; shares calculated by Space Mushroom over the listed 2025 values, sum 1,083 thousand t). Domestic Production and Use: 69% of 2025 primary consumption went into castings, principally automotive. Recycling and Substitutes sections. US smelter production shown as a dash.'
- subject: Magnesium metal (99.8% purity) imported to the United States, 2021 to 2024
producers:
- country: Israel
share_percent: 47
- country: Turkey
share_percent: 31
- country: Russia
share_percent: 8
- country: China
share_percent: 6
source: usgs-mcs2026-magnesium-metal
where: Import Sources (2021-24), magnesium metal (99.8% purity) row; the other 8% is not listed by country
documents:
- title: 'Goodfellow: AZ61 Magnesium Rod, product listing with material properties'
type: datasheet
url: https://www.goodfellow.com/usa/az61-rod-group
- title: 'AircraftMaterials technical data sheet: Magnesium Alloy AZ61A'
type: datasheet
url: https://aircraftmaterials.com/data/magnesium/az61a.html
- title: 'AZoM: Grade AZ61A (UNS M11610) Extrusions'
type: database
url: https://www.azom.com/metals/magnesium-alloy_grade-az61a-(uns-m11610)_extrusions
- title: 'Dziubinska, Surdacki and Majerski (2021), Materials 14(10):2593: AZ61 sand-cast preforms forged into aircraft mounts (PMC copy)'
type: paper
url: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8156473
year: 2021
- title: 'TotalMateria: ASTM B91 AZ61A magnesium alloy forgings, specification minimums'
type: database
url: https://www.totalmateria.com/en-us/material/3130104
- title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Magnesium Metal'
type: report
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-magnesium-metal.pdf
year: 2026
- title: 'USGS: About the 2025 List of Critical Minerals'
type: report
url: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/mineral-resources-program/science/about-2025-list-critical-minerals
year: 2025
- title: 'PubChem: Magnesium, CID 5462224, Safety and Hazards, GHS Classification'
type: database
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5462224
- title: 'Mississippi State University CAVS: AZ61 extruded magnesium corrosion (immersion and cyclic salt spray)'
type: report
url: https://www.cavs.msstate.edu/icme/Magnesium/corrosion/AZ61Corrosion.php
gaps:
- 'media: no image was fetched or licence-checked for this profile, so there is no media list. The lithium profile carries Wikimedia images under CC licences; none were read here.'
- 'Base AZ61 corrosion rate: no readable source with a unit was found. The Chen et al. 2015 conference abstract (Atlantis Press) gives 2.19 and 2.87 mm/a for AZ61 with 1% Ca added. That is a different alloy, so it is not used. The MSU CAVS page prints no rates; its figures are image-only.'
- 'Yield strength of the rod listing: the Goodfellow page prints tensile (310 MPa) and shear (140 MPa) but no yield value for the as-drawn rod.'
- AircraftMaterials AZ61A-F round bar values (ultimate 46, 45 and 45; yield 33, 33 and 31; elongation 17, 16 and 15) print no units, so they are not recorded.
- Goodfellow hardness (printed as Hardness - Brinell, 60) prints no unit on the page, so it is not recorded.
- 'Alloys International AZ61A-F page: no values printed. MakeItFrom, MDPI (site) and MachineMFG returned HTTP 403 to the fetch tool. The MDPI paper was read through its PMC copy.'
- PMC Table 6 electrical conductivity (MS/m, 8.22 to 9.04) is printed, but it is not a canonical property name, so it is left out.
- PMC conclusions give Rm 250 MPa (new technology) and 292 MPa (bar forging, citing reference 35). No test condition is printed, and the reference list identifies that reference as another paper, so both are left out.
- 'Elastic modulus, Poisson''s ratio, fatigue, compressive yield, and space or cryogenic data: not found in a readable source.'
- 'Uses: both use entries come from one study (PMC 2021) and the USGS statement about castings. Automotive forged parts named on a vendor copy were not fetched and are not recorded.'
- ISO and ASTM B90 designations for AZ61 are not confirmed. The ASTM B91 page lists forgings. The sheet and plate specification for AZ61 was not read.
- 'Supply shares: calculated by Space Mushroom from the 2025 USGS smelter production values (sum 1,083 thousand t), the same way as the AZ31B profile. The supply data is for magnesium metal, not AZ61 alone.'
- Fire and reactivity GHS data are element-level. No AZ61 safety data sheet was opened.
- Severity ratings in failure_risks (high, moderate) are the profile writer's judgement, not a source value.
sources:
goodfellow-az61-rod:
title: 'Goodfellow: AZ61 Magnesium Rod, product listing with material properties'
url: https://www.goodfellow.com/usa/az61-rod-group
kind: datasheet
license: Supplier web page, cited and not reproduced
aircraftmaterials-az61a:
title: 'AircraftMaterials technical data sheet: Magnesium Alloy AZ61A (composition, specifications)'
url: https://aircraftmaterials.com/data/magnesium/az61a.html
kind: datasheet
license: Stockist web page, cited and not reproduced
azom-az61a-uns:
title: 'AZoM: Grade AZ61A (UNS M11610) Extrusions'
url: https://www.azom.com/metals/magnesium-alloy_grade-az61a-(uns-m11610)_extrusions
kind: database
license: Web page, cited and not reproduced
pmc-az61-forging:
title: 'Dziubinska, Surdacki and Majerski: AZ61 sand-cast preform forging for aircraft mounts, Materials 2021, 14(10):2593'
url: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8156473
id: PMC8156473; Materials 2021, 14(10), 2593
year: 2021
kind: paper
license: PMC copy of the journal article, cited and not reproduced
totalmateria-astm-b91-az61a:
title: 'TotalMateria: ASTM B91 AZ61A magnesium alloy forgings, specification minimums'
url: https://www.totalmateria.com/en-us/material/3130104
kind: database
license: Database page, cited and not reproduced
usgs-mcs2026-magnesium-metal:
title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Magnesium Metal'
id: USGS MCS 2026, February 2026
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-magnesium-metal.pdf
year: 2026
kind: report
license: public domain (USGS)
usgs-crit2025:
title: About the 2025 List of Critical Minerals (USGS, final list)
url: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/mineral-resources-program/science/about-2025-list-critical-minerals
year: 2025
kind: web
license: public domain (USGS)
pubchem-mg:
title: 'Magnesium, PubChem compound CID 5462224: Safety and Hazards, GHS Classification'
id: PubChem CID 5462224; aggregated from ECHA C&L notifications
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5462224
kind: database
license: PubChem (NCBI) public data
cavs-az61-corrosion:
title: 'Mississippi State University CAVS: AZ61 extruded magnesium corrosion (immersion and cyclic salt spray)'
url: https://www.cavs.msstate.edu/icme/Magnesium/corrosion/AZ61Corrosion.php
kind: web
license: University web page, cited and not reproduced
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-10-26'
review:
status: draft
method: assistant
checked_values: 13
unreachable: 4
caveats: 6
note: 'Written 2026-10-26 from pages fetched in this run (fetch tool, curl and PubChem JSON). Values are as printed. Caveats: density rounded (1.8); the strength minimums are ASTM B91 forging limits, not rod values; hardness is one study; no base-alloy corrosion rate was readable; the composition is from a 2021 study table and the nominal from a rod listing.'
story:
recipe:
line: 'Wrought-grade Mg-Al-Zn alloy with about 6 wt% aluminium and 1 wt% zinc (Goodfellow nominal: Mg 93, Al 6, Zn 1). In the 2021 study the alloy was sand cast as a preform, annealed at 415 °C for 24 h, solution treated at 415 °C for 6 h with water cooling, and aged at 175 °C for 24 h (Section 2.2).'
parts:
- name: Magnesium
symbol: Mg
share_note: balance
role: The base metal and the balance of the alloy.
source: pmc-az61-forging
where: Table 1, Mg row (balance)
- name: Aluminium
symbol: Al
share_percent: 5.8
share_high: 7.2
role: Main alloying addition.
source: pmc-az61-forging
where: Table 1, Al row (wt%)
- name: Zinc
symbol: Zn
share_percent: 0.4
share_high: 1.5
role: Second alloying addition.
source: pmc-az61-forging
where: Table 1, Zn row (wt%)
- name: Manganese
symbol: Mn
share_percent: 0.15
share_high: 0.5
role: Minor addition.
source: pmc-az61-forging
where: Table 1, Mn row (wt%)
- name: Impurity limits
symbol: Si, Cu, Ni, Fe
share_note: 'maximum: Si 0.10, Cu 0.05, Ni 0.005, Fe 0.005'
role: Limits on impurities.
source: pmc-az61-forging
where: Table 1, Si, Cu, Ni and Fe rows
risk_groups:
- title: For people
lead: The only hazard data opened is PubChem's GHS data for magnesium metal. It is element-level, not a classification of AZ61 as supplied.
gap: No safety data sheet for the alloy was opened, and no dust or fume data for machining or welding was found.
points:
- label: Fire statements
line: Magnesium metal is listed as catching fire spontaneously if exposed to air (H250) and as releasing flammable gases on contact with water (H260).
- title: If it fails
lead: The failure routes come from the corrosion study and the GHS statements.
points:
- label: Chloride corrosion
line: Extruded AZ61 coupons were immersed or salt-sprayed for 60 h. The study reports trends for the weight and thickness loss, not a rate.
- title: Handling and storage
points:
- label: Water
line: Contact with water releases flammable gas (H260), so keep the metal dry.
- label: Fire
line: PubChem lists water, foam, halogenated agents and carbon dioxide as agents not to be used on a magnesium fire.
why: AZ61 is a magnesium alloy with about 6% aluminium. The 2021 study chose it for aircraft mount forgings because sand-cast preforms could be shaped near the final part and forged in one operation. The USGS says 69% of 2025 primary magnesium consumption went into castings, principally automotive, so forged parts are a smaller share of the market.
uses:
- where: Aircraft mount forgings
line: The 2021 study forged sand-cast AZ61 preforms into aircraft mount forgings in one die-hammer operation.
- where: Aerospace and automotive parts
line: The study says AZ61 is of interest to the aerospace and automotive industries.
can_do:
- label: Weight
value: 1.8 g/cm3
line: The Goodfellow rod listing gives density as 1.8 g/cm3.
benchmark: density
- label: Strength, as drawn rod
value: 310 MPa tensile
line: The Goodfellow rod listing gives 310 MPa tensile and 16% elongation at break, as drawn.
benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
- label: Forging minimum
value: 262 MPa tensile, 151.7 MPa yield
line: ASTM B91 forgings are listed at least 262 MPa tensile, 151.7 MPa yield and 6% elongation, at 0 to 30 °C.
benchmark: yield_strength
- label: Heat conduction
value: 79.5 W/(m·K)
line: Thermal conductivity is 79.5 W/(m·K) at 0 °C on the Goodfellow rod listing.
benchmark: thermal_conductivity
- label: Thermal expansion
value: 26 ppm/K
line: The Goodfellow listing gives a mean coefficient of thermal expansion of 26 ppm/K over 20 to 100 °C.
benchmark: cte
compare: The USGS says aluminium and zinc may substitute for magnesium in castings and wrought products. Magnesium's light weight is an advantage over them in most applications, but its high cost is a disadvantage. This profile holds no strength-per-mass figures for aluminium or zinc, so it does not rank AZ61 against them.
compare_rows:
- label: Density
benchmark: density
- label: Thermal conductivity
benchmark: thermal_conductivity
- label: Thermal expansion
benchmark: cte
handling:
- Keep the metal dry. The GHS statements say contact with water releases flammable gas (H260).
- Read the supplier's safety data sheet before cutting, grinding or welding. The Goodfellow listing says one is available.
- Use the fire agents PubChem lists. Water, foam, halogenated agents and carbon dioxide are listed as agents not to be used.
good_for:
- Forged structural parts such as aircraft mounts, the use the 2021 study tested.
- Parts made from a cast preform. The study says forging from sand-cast preforms used about 18% to 47% less material than forging from extruded rod.
- Light parts. Density is 1.8 g/cm3 on the Goodfellow listing.
watch_out:
- Corrosion in chloride. The MSU study immersed and salt-sprayed extruded AZ61 for 60 h. The readable page gives trends, not a rate.
- Condition. The 310 MPa figure is for as-drawn rod, the 262 and 151.7 MPa figures are ASTM B91 forging minimums, and the 75.5 HV05 hardness is after the study's heat treatment.
- 'Fire. The GHS statements for magnesium metal are element-level: H250 and H260.'
verdict: AZ61 is a light magnesium alloy with about 6% aluminium and 1% zinc, a density of 1.8 g/cm3, and a 2021 study showing it can be forged from cast preforms into aircraft mounts. The readable sources describe its corrosion in salt solutions only as trends, so no base-alloy corrosion rate is recorded.
References
Every number above carries a reference number. Click one to see the source and where in it the value comes from.
| # | Source | Type | Year | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodfellow: AZ61 Magnesium Rod, product listing with material properties | datasheet | 10 values | ||
| AircraftMaterials technical data sheet: Magnesium Alloy AZ61A (composition, specifications) | datasheet | 0 values | ||
| AZoM: Grade AZ61A (UNS M11610) Extrusions | database | 0 values | ||
| Dziubinska, Surdacki and Majerski: AZ61 sand-cast preform forging for aircraft mounts, Materials 2021, 14(10):2593 | paper | 2021 | 4 values | |
| TotalMateria: ASTM B91 AZ61A magnesium alloy forgings, specification minimums | database | 3 values | ||
| USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Magnesium Metal | report | 2026 | 2 values | |
| About the 2025 List of Critical Minerals (USGS, final list) | web | 2025 | 0 values | |
| Magnesium, PubChem compound CID 5462224: Safety and Hazards, GHS Classification | database | 4 values | ||
| Mississippi State University CAVS: AZ61 extruded magnesium corrosion (immersion and cyclic salt spray) | web | 2 values |