Materials / Compare
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 vs. Stainless 304
Compare Magnesium AZ31B-H24 vs. Stainless 304 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 | 220MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, 0.2 % proof stress | 241MPasourcetypical, annealed, 70 °F (21 °C) |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 290MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm | 586MPasourcetypical, annealed, 70 °F (21 °C) |
| Elongation at break | 13%sourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, gauge 5.65√A | 55%sourcetypical, annealed, in 2 in. (50.8 mm) |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 44.8GPasourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 193GPasourcetypical, in tension |
| Density | 1,769kg/m³sourcenominal | 8,030kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 124kN·m/kg4.14x higher | 30kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg5% higher | 24MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.35sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.3sourcedesign value (structural stainless steels) |
| Shear modulus | 16.6GPa | 74.2GPa4.47x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 49.8GPa | 161GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,032m/s | 4,903m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 76.9W/m·Ksourcetypical (temper/temperature not stated) | 16.2W/m·Ksourceat 100 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 26.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical (temperature range not stated) | 16.9µm/m·Ksourcemean, 0–100 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 134µm growth | 84.5µm growth1.59x less |
| Specific heat | 1,040J/kg·Ksourcetypical | 500J/kg·Ksourcemean, 0–100 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 41.8mm²/s10.4x faster | 4.03mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 9,159W/m10.9x more resistant | 838W/m |
| Melting point | not sourced | 1,399–1,454°Csourcemelting range |
| Max service temperature | 149°Csourcestated application limit | 899°Csourcecontinuous, oxidation (scaling) limit in air |
| Values for | AZ31B-H24 sheet 0.016-0.062 in., MIL-HDBK-5J Table 4.2.1.0(b) (AMS 4377); strengths are S-basis MINIMUMS | Type 304, annealed flat-rolled (Cleveland-Cliffs 304/304L Product Data Bulletin, May 2021); Poisson's ratio from the Nickel Institute/SCI structural stainless design manual |
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 Magnesium AZ31B-H24 stronger than Stainless 304?
Stainless 304 is stronger: its yield strength is 241 MPa against 220 MPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24 (10%).
Which is lighter, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Stainless 304?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter: 1,769 kg/m³ against 8,030 kg/m³ for Stainless 304.
Which is stiffer, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Stainless 304?
Stainless 304 is stiffer: Young's modulus 193 GPa against 44.8 GPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24, so the same part in Stainless 304 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Stainless 304?
For the same stiffness or strength: Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Magnesium AZ31B-H24 | Stainless 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 5% heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.19x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 2.79x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 4.14x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 4.27x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 4.34x heavier |
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, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Stainless 304?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 conducts heat better: 76.9 W/m·K against 16.2 W/m·K for Stainless 304.
Which expands less with temperature?
Stainless 304 expands less: 16.9 µm/m·K against 26.8 µm/m·K for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.