Materials / Compare
Aluminum vs. Magnesium AZ31B-H24
Compare Aluminum vs. Magnesium AZ31B-H24 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 276MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen | 220MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, 0.2 % proof stress |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 310MPasourcetypical | 290MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm |
| Elongation at break | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen | 13%sourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, gauge 5.65√A |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 68.3GPasourcetypical | 44.8GPasourcetypical (handbook physical constant) |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal | 1,769kg/m³sourcenominal1.53x lighter |
| Strength to weight | 102kN·m/kg | 124kN·m/kg22% higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg | 25.3MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.35sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) |
| Shear modulus | 25.7GPa1.55x stiffer in shear | 16.6GPa |
| Bulk modulus | 67GPa | 49.8GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,030m/s | 5,032m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 76.9W/m·Ksourcetypical (temper/temperature not stated) |
| Thermal expansion | 23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 26.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical (temperature range not stated) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 118µm growth14% less | 134µm growth |
| Specific heat | 896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 1,040J/kg·Ksourcetypical |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 69mm²/s1.65x faster | 41.8mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 19,159W/m2.09x more resistant | 9,159W/m |
| Melting point | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | not sourced |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 149°Csourcestated application limit |
| Values for | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties (sheet, coil & plate datasheet); Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | AZ31B-H24 sheet 0.016-0.062 in., MIL-HDBK-5J Table 4.2.1.0(b) (AMS 4377); strengths are S-basis MINIMUMS |
Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Is Aluminum stronger than Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Aluminum is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against 220 MPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24 (25%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter: 1,769 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Aluminum is stiffer: Young's modulus 68.3 GPa against 44.8 GPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24, so the same part in Aluminum deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
For the same stiffness or strength: Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum | Magnesium AZ31B-H24 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | about equal | about equal |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 24% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 33% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 22% heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 31% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 36% heavier | lighter |
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Aluminum conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 76.9 W/m·K for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum expands less: 23.6 µm/m·K against 26.8 µm/m·K for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.