spore: profile
id: magnesium-we43
spore_version: 0.2
family: magnesium-alloys
name: Magnesium WE43 (Elektron WE43B)
abbreviation: WE43
role: rare-earth magnesium casting alloy
category: metals
type: magnesium
summary: |
  WE43, sold by Luxfer as Elektron WE43B, is a magnesium casting alloy with 3.7 to 4.3 % yttrium and 2.4 to 4.4 % rare earths. Luxfer rates it for use up to 300 °C and stable for long-term exposure up to 250 °C, with a guaranteed minimum tensile strength of 220 MPa. In a 2022 study, cast WE43 had a compressive yield strength of 125 MPa, and ECAP-processed WE43 corroded at 0.31 mg/cm2/day in cell culture medium over 14 days.
best_for: Casting parts that must run at up to 250 °C long term or up to 300 °C in use, such as helicopter transmissions and aero-engine parts (Luxfer applications list)
weakest_at: Immersion corrosion (0.31 mg/cm2/day in one 14-day cell-culture test), with no density value and no flight data recorded in this profile
identity:
  formula: 'Mg-Y-RE-Zr casting alloy, magnesium balance. Luxfer (product page): yttrium 3.7 to 4.3 %, rare earths 2.4 to 4.4 %, zirconium at least 0.4 %. Wikipedia alloy table: Mg 93.6 %, Y 4 %, Nd 2.25 %, Zr 0.15 %. Spark-emission analysis of the commercial WE43 in the 2022 Materials paper (Table 1, wt%): Y 4.0, Nd 2.3, Gd 0.6, Dy 0.3, Zr 0.6.'
  source: luxfer-we43b
  where: Chemical composition section of the Elektron WE43B product page
  designations:
    - system: UNS
      code: M18430
      source: luxfer-we43b
      where: Specifications list, row UNS No.
    - system: ASTM
      code: B80
      note: casting specification
      source: luxfer-we43b
      where: Specifications list, row ASTM
    - system: AMS
      code: '4427'
      source: luxfer-we43b
      where: Specifications list, row AMS
    - system: ISO
      code: MC95320
      source: luxfer-we43b
      where: Specifications list, ISO 16220 row
    - system: Trade name
      code: Elektron WE43B
      source: luxfer-we43b
      where: Page title
    - system: Trade name
      code: WE43
      source: wiki-mg-alloy
      where: Alloy table, row WE43
tags:
  applications:
    - mechanisms
    - propulsion-and-tanks
    - structures
properties:
  - benchmark: melting_point
    label: Melting range, Elektron WE43B casting alloy
    value: 540
    value_high: 640
    bound: range
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: casting alloy
      unit_in_source: 540–640˚C as printed
    method: Range printed in the physical properties section of the manufacturer's product page
    status: ground
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Physical properties section, row Melting range
  - benchmark: thermal_conductivity
    label: Thermal conductivity, Elektron WE43B
    value: 51
    unit: W/(m·K)
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: casting alloy
      temperature: not stated on the page
      unit_in_source: 51 Wm-1K-1
    method: Value printed in the physical properties section of the manufacturer's product page
    status: ground
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Physical properties section, row Thermal conductivity
  - benchmark: specific_heat
    label: Specific heat, Elektron WE43B
    value: 966
    unit: J/(kg·K)
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: casting alloy
      temperature: not stated on the page
      unit_in_source: 966 Jkg-1K-1
    method: Value printed in the physical properties section of the manufacturer's product page
    status: ground
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Physical properties section, row Specific heat
  - benchmark: electrical_resistivity
    label: Electrical resistivity, Elektron WE43B
    value: 148
    unit: nΩ·m
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: casting alloy
      temperature: not stated on the page
      unit_in_source: 148 nΩm
    method: Value printed in the physical properties section of the manufacturer's product page
    status: ground
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Physical properties section, row Electrical resistivity
  - benchmark: poissons_ratio
    label: Poisson's ratio, Elektron WE43B
    value: 0.27
    unit: '-'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: casting alloy
      temperature: not stated on the page
    method: Value printed in the physical properties section of the manufacturer's product page
    status: ground
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Physical properties section, row Poisson's ratio
  - benchmark: fracture_toughness_kic
    label: Fracture toughness KIC, typical ambient temperature
    value: 15.9
    unit: MPa m1/2
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: casting alloy
      value_type: typical, ambient temperature
    method: Value printed in the typical ambient temperature properties section of the manufacturer's product page (custom property name, not in the canonical list)
    status: ground
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Typical ambient temperature properties, row Fracture toughness KIC
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Minimum 0.2% proof stress, casting specification
    value: 172
    bound: lower
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: casting alloy
      value_type: guaranteed minimum, minimum tensile specification
      test: tensile 0.2% proof stress
      heat_treatment: 'as printed on the same page: solution treat 8 h at 525 °C, quench, age 16 h at 250 °C'
    method: Minimum value printed in the design data section of the manufacturer's product page
    status: ground
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Design data, minimum tensile specification, 0.2% proof stress
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Minimum tensile strength, casting specification
    value: 220
    bound: lower
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: casting alloy
      value_type: guaranteed minimum, minimum tensile specification
      test: tensile
      heat_treatment: 'as printed on the same page: solution treat 8 h at 525 °C, quench, age 16 h at 250 °C'
    method: Minimum value printed in the design data section of the manufacturer's product page
    status: ground
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Design data, minimum tensile specification, tensile strength
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Minimum elongation, casting specification
    value: 2
    bound: lower
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: casting alloy
      value_type: guaranteed minimum, minimum tensile specification
      test: tensile
      heat_treatment: 'as printed on the same page: solution treat 8 h at 525 °C, quench, age 16 h at 250 °C'
    method: Minimum value printed in the design data section of the manufacturer's product page
    status: ground
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Design data, minimum tensile specification, elongation
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Typical 0.2% proof stress, ambient temperature
    value: 185
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: casting alloy
      value_type: typical, ambient temperature
      test: tensile 0.2% proof stress
      heat_treatment: 'as printed on the same page: solution treat 8 h at 525 °C, quench, age 16 h at 250 °C'
    method: Typical value printed in the ambient temperature properties section of the manufacturer's product page
    status: ground
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Typical ambient temperature properties, tensile 0.2% proof stress
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Typical tensile strength, ambient temperature
    value: 265
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: casting alloy
      value_type: typical, ambient temperature
      test: tensile
      heat_treatment: 'as printed on the same page: solution treat 8 h at 525 °C, quench, age 16 h at 250 °C'
    method: Typical value printed in the ambient temperature properties section of the manufacturer's product page
    status: ground
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Typical ambient temperature properties, tensile strength
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Typical elongation, ambient temperature
    value: 7
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: casting alloy
      value_type: typical, ambient temperature
      test: tensile
      heat_treatment: 'as printed on the same page: solution treat 8 h at 525 °C, quench, age 16 h at 250 °C'
    method: Typical value printed in the ambient temperature properties section of the manufacturer's product page
    status: ground
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Typical ambient temperature properties, elongation
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Compressive 0.2% proof stress, typical ambient temperature
    value: 187
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: casting alloy
      value_type: typical, ambient temperature
      test: compression 0.2% proof stress
    method: Typical value printed in the ambient temperature properties section of the manufacturer's product page
    status: ground
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Typical ambient temperature properties, compressive 0.2% proof stress
  - benchmark: max_service_temp
    label: Long-term service limit
    value: 250
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: casting alloy
      exposure: long-term
      basis: stable for long term exposure up to 250˚C, as printed
    method: Value printed in the product information section of the manufacturer's product page
    status: ground
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Product information section, long-term exposure statement
  - benchmark: max_service_temp
    label: Stated use temperature
    value: 300
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: casting alloy
      exposure: stated use temperature, distinct from the long-term figure
      basis: up to 300˚C, as printed
    method: Value printed in the product information section of the manufacturer's product page
    status: ground
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Product information section, stated use temperature
  - benchmark: corrosion_rate
    label: Salt-spray corrosion rate, ASTM B117
    value: 0.1
    value_high: 0.2
    bound: range
    unit: mg/cm2/day
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: casting alloy
      test: ASTM B117 salt spray
      exposure_time: not stated on the page
    method: Range printed in the other properties section of the manufacturer's product page (the same row also prints 10 mpy; custom property name, not in the canonical list)
    status: ground
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Other properties section, corrosion rate
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, untreated WE43 (Table 1 row WE43)
    value: 260
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: untreated WE43 (Table 1 row WE43; the text refers to cast WE43 plate)
      test: tensile
      temper: not stated
    method: Value printed in Table 1 of an open-access study that compares extruded and cast WE43 for bone plates
    status: ground
    source: byun2020
    where: Table 1, row WE43, column Tensile strength (MPa)
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Tensile yield strength, untreated WE43 (Table 1 row WE43)
    value: 160
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: untreated WE43 (Table 1 row WE43; the text refers to cast WE43 plate)
      test: tensile
      temper: not stated
    method: Value printed in Table 1 of an open-access study that compares extruded and cast WE43 for bone plates
    status: ground
    source: byun2020
    where: Table 1, row WE43, column Tensile yield strength (MPa)
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Elongation, untreated WE43 (Table 1 row WE43)
    value: 6
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: untreated WE43 (Table 1 row WE43; the text refers to cast WE43 plate)
      test: tensile
      temper: not stated
    method: Value printed in Table 1 of an open-access study that compares extruded and cast WE43 for bone plates
    status: ground
    source: byun2020
    where: Table 1, row WE43, column Elongation (%)
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, extruded WE43 (aged)
    value: 303
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: extruded WE43 rod, quenched and aged at 210 °C for 16 h
      test: tensile
    method: Value printed in Table 1 of an open-access study that compares extruded and cast WE43 for bone plates
    status: ground
    source: byun2020
    where: Table 1, row Extruded WE43, column Tensile strength (MPa)
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Tensile yield strength, extruded WE43 (aged)
    value: 195
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: extruded WE43 rod, quenched and aged at 210 °C for 16 h
      test: tensile
    method: Value printed in Table 1 of an open-access study that compares extruded and cast WE43 for bone plates
    status: ground
    source: byun2020
    where: Table 1, row Extruded WE43, column Tensile yield strength (MPa)
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Compressive yield strength, as-cast WE43 (WE43-0P)
    value: 125
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: as-cast WE43, homogenised at 525 °C for 16 h (paper's WE43-0P)
      test: compression deformation test
      note_in_source: 125 ± 5 printed
    method: Mean value printed in Table 3 of a 2022 Materials study of Mg-3Y and WE43 (the printed standard deviation is 5 MPa)
    status: ground
    source: mg3y2022
    where: Table 3, row WE43-0P, column CYS/MPa
  - benchmark: corrosion_rate
    label: Immersion corrosion rate, ECAP-processed WE43 (WE43-8P)
    value: 0.31
    unit: mg/cm2/day
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: WE43 processed by ECAP (8 passes, labelled 8P)
      medium: MEM + 10% FBS
      exposure: 14 days of immersion
    method: Value printed in the text of Section 3.2 of a 2022 Materials study (custom property name, not in the canonical list)
    status: ground
    source: mg3y2022
    where: Section 3.2 (Corrosion in Biological Media), text on WE43-8P
corrosion:
  - environment: Salt spray (ASTM B117), casting alloy
    headline: Salt-spray corrosion of Elektron WE43B is printed as 0.1 to 0.2 mg/cm2/day on the manufacturer's test.
    effect: Luxfer prints a corrosion rate of 0.1 to 0.2 mg/cm2/day in ASTM B117 salt spray and gives the same rate as 10 mpy. The page gives no exposure time and no surface condition, so the figure cannot be compared directly with immersion data.
    rating: low
    conditions:
      test: ASTM B117 salt spray
      form: casting alloy
      exposure_time: not stated
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Other properties section, corrosion rate
  - environment: Static immersion in simulated body fluid, 60 days, extruded WE43 disks
    headline: About 60 % of the initial mass of extruded WE43 remained after 60 days in simulated body fluid.
    effect: Byun et al. print 'approximately 60% (60.07 ± 15.40) of the initial mass remained at 60 days' for WE43 in a static immersion test at 37.0 °C and pH 7.35, with the bath refilled with deionized water each week. The mass was measured once a week, and the conversion layer was not removed.
    rating: severe
    conditions:
      medium: simulated body fluid, 30 ml per disk
      temperature: 37.0 °C
      pH: '7.35'
      exposure: 60 days
      specimen: extruded WE43 disks
    source: byun2020
    where: Section 2.2 (method) and Section 3.1 (results)
  - environment: Cell culture medium MEM and MEM + 10% FBS, 14 days, ECAP-processed WE43
    headline: ECAP-processed WE43 corroded at 0.31 mg/cm2/day in cell culture medium, against 0.29 mg/cm2/day for Mg-3Y.
    effect: The 2022 study reports 0.29 mg/cm2/day for W3-8P (Mg-3Y) and 0.31 mg/cm2/day for WE43-8P in MEM + 10% FBS, and says that within the statistical error there is no difference between the two. It states an upper limit of 0.29 mg/cm2/day in simulated body fluid for temporary bone fixation implants.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      medium: MEM and MEM + 10% FBS
      exposure: 14 days
      specimen: ECAP-processed WE43 (8P) and Mg-3Y (W3-8P)
    source: mg3y2022
    where: Figure 3 caption and Section 3.2 text
risks:
  hazards:
    - text: 'PubChem''s ECHA C&L summary for magnesium (CID 5462224) reads ''Aggregated GHS information provided per 2205 reports by companies from 27 notifications''. The most-reported statement is ''H228 (44.9%): Flammable solid''. Others printed include ''H261 (44.8%): In contact with water releases flammable gas'', ''H260 (36.7%): In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously'', ''H250 (36.5%): Catches fire spontaneously if exposed to air'' and ''H252 (18%): Self-heating in large quantities; may catch fire''.'
      ghs:
        - H228
        - H261
        - H260
        - H250
        - H252
      source: pubchem-mg
      where: Safety and Hazards, GHS Classification, ECHA C&L notifications summary
    - text: The same PubChem summary prints 'This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 18.4% (405 of 2205) of reports.' The summary is for magnesium as a substance and does not describe the cast alloy WE43; no WE43-specific safety data sheet was found.
      ghs: []
      source: pubchem-mg
      where: Safety and Hazards, GHS Classification, Note
    - text: 'Some PubChem notifications print ''H315: Causes skin irritation'', ''H319: Causes serious eye irritation'' and ''H335: May cause respiratory irritation''.'
      ghs:
        - H315
        - H319
        - H335
      source: pubchem-mg
      where: Safety and Hazards, GHS Classification, GHS Hazard Statements
  failure_risks:
    - mode: Use above the long-term limit
      trigger: Exposure above 250 °C for long periods
      consequence: Luxfer states stable long-term exposure only up to 250 °C and a stated use temperature up to 300 °C. Creep, tensile and fatigue data at elevated temperature appear on the page only as figures, so no creep value is recorded here.
      severity: moderate
      source: luxfer-we43b
      where: Product information and Elevated temperature sections
    - mode: Mass loss in body-fluid immersion
      trigger: Immersion in simulated body fluid or cell culture medium
      consequence: About 60 % of the initial mass of extruded WE43 remained after 60 days in simulated body fluid, and the ECAP-processed alloy corroded at 0.31 mg/cm2/day in MEM + 10% FBS over 14 days.
      severity: high
      source: byun2020
      where: Section 3.1 and Figure 3 caption of the 2022 study
  side_effects: []
  handling:
    - text: Luxfer says the alloy is fine grained and pressure tight, and is fully weldable by TIG using parent-composition filler rods.
      source: luxfer-we43b
      where: Product information section
    - text: 'PubChem prints H260 for magnesium as a substance: ''In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously''. The statement is not specific to the solid alloy.'
      source: pubchem-mg
      where: Safety and Hazards, GHS Classification, H260 entry
  mitigations: []
uses:
  - application: mechanisms
    device: Helicopter transmissions
    example: Luxfer's WE43B page lists helicopter transmissions among the applications of the alloy.
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Applications section
  - application: propulsion-and-tanks
    device: Aeroengines and other power systems
    example: Luxfer's WE43B page lists aeroengines and other power systems among the applications of the alloy.
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Applications section
  - application: structures
    device: Missiles
    example: Luxfer's WE43B page lists missiles among the applications of the alloy.
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Applications section
  - application: structures
    device: Racing and high-performance cars
    example: Luxfer's WE43B page lists racing and high-performance cars among the applications of the alloy. The page does not say which parts are used.
    source: luxfer-we43b
    where: Applications section
supply:
  - subject: Magnesium metal (primary smelter production)
    producers:
      - country: China
        share_percent: 86.4
        year: 2025
      - country: Russia
        share_percent: 5.5
        year: 2025
    critical_lists:
      - list: USGS 2025 final List of Critical Minerals (magnesium listed as 'Magnesium, used in metal alloys used by aerospace, automotive and electronics industries')
        listed: true
      - list: EU critical raw materials list (European Commission page, entry 'Magnesium')
        listed: true
    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 chapter notes that magnesium''s lighter weight is an advantage over both in most applications, but its high cost is a disadvantage.'
    source: usgs-mcs2026-mg
    where: World Primary Production and Reserves table, smelter production 2025 (world total 1,100 thousand t, rounded; China 950 and Russia 60 thousand t; shares calculated by Space Mushroom); Recycling; Substitutes
documents:
  - title: Elektron WE43B, Luxfer MEL Technologies product page
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.luxfermeltechnologies.com/elektron-we43b/
  - title: Biodegradable magnesium alloy (WE43) in bone-fixation plate and screw, J Biomed Mater Res B 2020
    type: paper
    url: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7383574/
    year: 2020
  - title: Concurrence of High Corrosion Resistance and Strength with Excellent Ductility in Ultrafine-Grained Mg-3Y Alloy, Materials 2022
    type: paper
    url: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9657410/
    year: 2022
  - title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Magnesium Metal'
    type: report
    url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-magnesium-metal.pdf
    year: 2026
  - title: 'PubChem compound record: Magnesium (CID 5462224), GHS aggregated classification'
    type: database
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Magnesium
    year: 2026
gaps:
  - 'Density not recorded: the Luxfer page prints ''Specific gravity 1.84'' with no unit, so the value was left out under the no-inferred-unit rule. No WE43 density in g/cm3 was read in a fetched source (a third-party comparison page could not be opened).'
  - 'Coefficient of thermal expansion not recorded: the Luxfer page prints it in exponent form (''26.7 x10-6K-1''). The modulus of elasticity is printed the same way (''45 x 103 MPa''). Both left out.'
  - Vickers hardness (printed as 85 to 105, with no unit or load) left out.
  - Compressive ultimate strength (323 MPa), shear ultimate stress (160 MPa) and pattern shrinkage (1.5 %) from the Luxfer page are not entered, to keep the property names canonical.
  - Fracture toughness, corrosion rate and immersion corrosion rate use custom names (fracture_toughness_kic, corrosion_rate) because no canonical name exists in property-canon.yaml.
  - 'UNS: the queue entry gives UNS M18432 for WE43B. The Luxfer page and the ASM Alloy Digest keywords print UNS M18430, so M18430 is recorded. M18432 appeared only in a third-party search result that could not be opened (403), so it is not recorded.'
  - 'Composition conflicts are recorded side by side: zirconium is at least 0.4 % (Luxfer), 0.15 % (Wikipedia table) and 0.6 % (measured in the 2022 Materials study). The Wikipedia composition table is used for composition only.'
  - No flight, vacuum, radiation or space-environment result for WE43 found. The outgassing, atomic-oxygen and thermal-cycling data were not found in any source read.
  - Elevated-temperature creep, tensile and fatigue data on the Luxfer page appear only as figures, so no numbers are recorded for them.
  - The Byun et al. 2020 Table 1 'WE43' row is the untreated material. The paper's text calls it cast WE43 plate, and the processing is not otherwise stated, so the condition is recorded as untreated.
  - The hazard data rest on the PubChem summary for magnesium as a substance (the page was read through its REST record because the web page showed a reCAPTCHA). No WE43 safety data sheet was found.
  - Only one open study gives a compressive yield value for as-cast WE43 and one gives an immersion rate for ECAP-processed WE43. The tensile values for cast WE43 come from one 2020 bone-plate study, so the process condition is not a manufacturer's specification.
  - Biomedical research uses of WE43 (bone plates and screws in animal studies) are not entered as uses, because the application list has no medical category.
  - Supply shares are calculated by Space Mushroom against the USGS rounded world total of 1,100 thousand t, so the shares are approximate.
sources:
  luxfer-we43b:
    title: Elektron WE43B, Luxfer MEL Technologies product page (physical, design and ambient properties, specifications and applications)
    url: https://www.luxfermeltechnologies.com/elektron-we43b/
    kind: datasheet
    license: Manufacturer product page (cited, not reproduced)
  asm-alloy-digest:
    title: 'ASM Alloy Digest: ELEKTRON WE43 Heat-Treatable Magnesium Casting (Mg-76), Alloy Digest vol 58 issue 3'
    id: ASM Alloy Digest Mg-76; keywords print UNS M18430
    url: https://dl.asminternational.org/alloy-digest/article/58/3/Mg-76/7162/ELEKTRON-WE43Heat-Treatable-Magnesium-Casting
    kind: handbook
    license: Paywalled record (cited, not reproduced); only the record page was read
  byun2020:
    title: Biodegradable magnesium alloy (WE43) in bone-fixation plate and screw (Byun, Lim, Cheon, Lee, Kim), J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 108(6):2505-2512
    id: doi:10.1002/jbm.b.34582; PMC7383574
    url: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7383574/
    year: 2020
    kind: paper
    license: Open access via PMC (cited, not reproduced)
  mg3y2022:
    title: Concurrence of High Corrosion Resistance and Strength with Excellent Ductility in Ultrafine-Grained Mg-3Y Alloy, Materials (Basel) 15(21):7571
    id: doi:10.3390/ma15217571; PMC9657410
    url: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9657410/
    year: 2022
    kind: paper
    license: Open access via PMC (cited, not reproduced)
  wiki-mg-alloy:
    title: Magnesium alloy (Wikipedia), alloy table entry for WE43
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_alloy
    year: 2026
    kind: web
    license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (cited, not reproduced)
  pubchem-mg:
    title: 'PubChem compound record: Magnesium (CID 5462224), GHS classification and ECHA C&L notifications summary (REST view)'
    id: CID 5462224; CAS 7439-95-4
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug_view/data/compound/5462224/JSON
    year: 2026
    kind: database
    license: PubChem (NCBI), public domain; ECHA data attributed in the record
  usgs-mcs2026-mg:
    title: Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Magnesium Metal (U.S. Geological Survey, February 2026)
    id: USGS MCS 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)
  ec-crm:
    title: Critical raw materials (European Commission, list under Regulation (EU) 2024/1252)
    url: https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/raw-materials/areas-specific-interest/critical-raw-materials_en
    year: 2024
    kind: web
    license: European Commission web page (cited, not reproduced)
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-11-02'
review:
  status: draft
  method: assistant
  checked_values: 23
  unreachable: 0
  caveats: 4
  note: Written by an AI assistant on 2026-11-02 from the pages and PDFs named in each entry. Density, CTE and modulus left out because the page prints no unit or prints exponent form. Custom property names used for fracture toughness and corrosion rates.
story:
  recipe:
    line: Elektron WE43B is a magnesium casting alloy. Luxfer lists it as a casting alloy with a heat treatment of solution treatment for 8 hours at 525 °C, quench, then ageing for 16 hours at 250 °C. The commercial WE43 in the 2022 study was supplied as cast and homogenised at 525 °C for 16 hours.
    parts:
      - name: Magnesium
        symbol: Mg
        share: balance (Luxfer); 93.6 % (Wikipedia table)
        role: The matrix metal and the bulk of the alloy.
      - name: Yttrium
        symbol: 'Y'
        share: 3.7 to 4.3 % (Luxfer); 4.0 wt% measured in the 2022 study
        role: The main alloying element. Luxfer and the measured composition both place it at about 4 %.
      - name: Rare earths (neodymium
        gadolinium: null
        dysprosium): null
        symbol: RE
        share: 2.4 to 4.4 % (Luxfer); Nd 2.3, Gd 0.6 and Dy 0.3 wt% measured in the 2022 study
        role: Added with yttrium. Luxfer does not give a breakdown; the 2022 study gives the measured elements.
      - name: Zirconium
        symbol: Zr
        share: at least 0.4 % (Luxfer); 0.15 % (Wikipedia table); 0.6 % measured in the 2022 study
        role: The 2022 study compares this alloy with a Mg-3Y version that leaves out the rare earths and zirconium.
  risk_groups:
    - title: For people
      level: 1
      verdict: Flammable solid in aggregate data
      lead: The PubChem summary for magnesium as a substance lists flammable-solid and water-reactive statements, but it does not describe the cast alloy WE43.
      points:
        - label: The metal
          line: PubChem's ECHA summary for magnesium gives H228 as the most-reported statement, 'Flammable solid', from 2205 reports. Another 18.4% of reports say the substance does not meet GHS criteria.
        - label: Dust and swarf
          line: The Luxfer page does not describe dust or swarf hazards. The safety data sheet for the powder or swarf was not read, so this profile has no source for those forms.
    - title: If the alloy corrodes
      verdict: Immersion corrosion above the paper's limit
      lead: Corrosion results come from laboratory immersion tests, not from field service.
      points:
        - label: Body fluid
          line: In simulated body fluid, about 60 % of the mass of extruded WE43 remained after 60 days (Byun et al. 2020).
        - label: Cell culture medium
          line: ECAP-processed WE43 corroded at 0.31 mg/cm2/day in MEM + 10% FBS over 14 days, against 0.29 mg/cm2/day for Mg-3Y in the same test.
    - title: Heat and handling
      points:
        - label: Long-term limit
          line: Luxfer states stable long-term exposure up to 250 °C and a stated use temperature up to 300 °C. Its creep data are shown only as figures.
        - label: Welding
          line: Luxfer says the alloy is fully weldable by TIG with parent-composition filler rods.
  why: Elektron WE43B is a magnesium casting alloy with 3.7 to 4.3 % yttrium and 2.4 to 4.4 % rare earths, rated by Luxfer for use up to 300 °C. Luxfer names helicopter transmissions, aeroengines, missiles and racing cars among its applications. The main source is a manufacturer datasheet, and the 2020 and 2022 studies add tensile and corrosion data for WE43 from laboratory tests, not from flight.
  uses:
    - where: Helicopter transmissions
      line: Luxfer's WE43B page lists helicopter transmissions as an application of the alloy. The page gives no part numbers or service data for that use.
    - where: Aeroengines and power systems
      line: Luxfer lists aeroengines and other power systems among the applications of the alloy, alongside the minimum and typical strength values above.
    - where: Missiles and racing cars
      line: Luxfer also lists missiles, and racing and high-performance cars, as applications of the alloy. No space application or flight result was found.
  can_do:
    - label: Serve as a casting in the applications Luxfer lists
      line: helicopter transmissions, aeroengines, missiles and racing cars.
    - label: Strength
      line: Meet a guaranteed minimum tensile strength of 220 MPa with 2 % elongation in the Luxfer casting specification.
    - label: Strength
      line: Stay in service at 250 °C for the long term, and in use up to 300 °C, per Luxfer.
    - label: Gain strength from processing
      line: in the 2020 bone-plate study, extrusion and ageing raised tensile strength from 260 MPa to 303 MPa.
    - label: Strength
      line: Be welded by TIG with parent-composition filler rods, according to Luxfer.
  compare: The closest comparison in the sources is the 2022 Mg-3Y study, which tests an alloy with no rare earths and no zirconium against WE43 under the same ECAP processing and immersion tests. The authors report 0.29 mg/cm2/day for the Mg-3Y alloy and 0.31 mg/cm2/day for WE43, and say the difference is within the statistical error. For tensile strength, the 2020 study's untreated WE43 row gives 260 MPa and its extruded, aged row gives 303 MPa. Luxfer's minimum and typical values are for the casting alloy and should not be compared directly with those research rows.
  compare_rows:
    - label: Tensile strength
      benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    - label: Compressive yield strength
      benchmark: yield_strength
    - label: Immersion corrosion rate
      benchmark: corrosion_rate
  handling:
    - Specify the form and heat treatment, because the Luxfer strength values are for the casting alloy solution-treated and aged as printed.
    - Keep the alloy away from water and ignition sources, and treat magnesium as a flammable solid until a WE43-specific safety data sheet is read.
    - Weld by TIG with parent-composition filler rods.
  good_for:
    - 'Heat tolerance: Luxfer states long-term stability up to 250 °C and a stated use temperature up to 300 °C.'
    - Welded casting parts in the applications Luxfer lists, such as helicopter transmissions and aeroengines.
  watch_out:
    - 'Immersion corrosion: 0.31 mg/cm2/day in one 14-day cell-culture test of ECAP-processed WE43.'
    - 'Composition varies between sources: zirconium is 0.15 % in one table and at least 0.4 % in the manufacturer''s data.'
    - No density value is recorded here, because the manufacturer prints specific gravity 1.84 with no unit.
    - 'Supply is concentrated: China produced 950 thousand t of a 1,100 thousand t world total in 2025.'
  verdict: Elektron WE43B is a well-documented rare-earth magnesium casting with a manufacturer datasheet and a named list of aerospace and motorsport uses. Its body-fluid corrosion is high in one study, its density is not recorded, and no space flight data were found.