Materials / Compare
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 vs. Stainless 316
Compare Magnesium AZ31B-H24 vs. Stainless 316 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 | 265MPasourcetypical (representative), annealed 1.0 mm sheet |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 290MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm | 583MPasourcetypical (representative), annealed 1.0 mm sheet |
| Elongation at break | 13%sourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, gauge 5.65√A | 61%sourcetypical (representative), annealed, in 2 in. (51 mm) |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 44.8GPasourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 200GPasourcetypical, in tension |
| Density | 1,769kg/m³sourcenominal | 8,027kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 124kN·m/kg3.77x higher | 33kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg2% higher | 24.9MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.35sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.3sourcedesign value (structural stainless steels) |
| Shear modulus | 16.6GPa | 76.9GPa4.64x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 49.8GPa | 167GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,032m/s | 4,992m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 76.9W/m·Ksourcetypical (temper/temperature not stated) | 14.6W/m·Ksource20–100 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 26.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical (temperature range not stated) | 16.5µm/m·Ksourcemean, 20–100 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 134µm growth | 82.5µm growth1.62x less |
| Specific heat | 1,040J/kg·Ksourcetypical | 450J/kg·Ksourceat 20 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 41.8mm²/s10.3x faster | 4.04mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 9,159W/m11.2x more resistant | 821W/m |
| Melting point | not sourced | 1,390–1,440°Csourcemelting range |
| Max service temperature | 149°Csourcestated application limit | 871–899°Csourceoxidation (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 | ATI 316 (UNS S31600), annealed 1.0 mm sheet, ATI technical data sheet (2012); 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 316?
Stainless 316 is stronger: its yield strength is 265 MPa against 220 MPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24 (20%).
Which is lighter, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Stainless 316?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter: 1,769 kg/m³ against 8,027 kg/m³ for Stainless 316.
Which is stiffer, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Stainless 316?
Stainless 316 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 44.8 GPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24, so the same part in Stainless 316 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Stainless 316?
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 316 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 2% heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.15x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 2.76x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 3.77x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 4.01x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 4.13x 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 316?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 conducts heat better: 76.9 W/m·K against 14.6 W/m·K for Stainless 316.
Which expands less with temperature?
Stainless 316 expands less: 16.5 µm/m·K against 26.8 µm/m·K for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.