Materials / Compare
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 vs. Steel
Compare Magnesium AZ31B-H24 vs. Steel 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 | 385MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey), as reported by AISC |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 290MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm | 505MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey) |
| Elongation at break | 13%sourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, gauge 5.65√A | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 44.8GPasourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 200GPasourcedesign value (AISC 360-16) |
| Density | 1,769kg/m³sourcenominal | 7,850kg/m³sourcenominal (constructional data) |
| Strength to weight | 124kN·m/kg2.54x higher | 49kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg | 25.5MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.35sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.3sourcedesign value (AISC 360-16 Commentary) |
| Shear modulus | 16.6GPa | 76.9GPa4.64x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 49.8GPa | 167GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,032m/s | 5,048m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 76.9W/m·Ksourcetypical (temper/temperature not stated) | 48W/m·Ksourcenominal at 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 26.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical (temperature range not stated) | 12µm/m·Ksourcenominal (constructional data, no temperature range stated) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 134µm growth | 60µm growth2.23x less |
| Specific heat | 1,040J/kg·Ksourcetypical | 460–480J/kg·Ksourcebase material: EN S275JR unalloyed structural steel (the EN counterpart of A36), typical, 50/100 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 41.8mm²/s3.21x faster | 13mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 9,159W/m1.7x more resistant | 5,390W/m |
| Max service temperature | 149°Csourcestated application limit | not sourced |
| 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 | Generic structural steel, cited as ASTM A992 (the current US structural grade): ASTM A992 W-shapes; Fy/Fu specified minimums from AISC publications (AISC 360-16 Commentary; Modern Steel Construction); elastic constants AISC 360; physical constants from the bauforumstahl structural-steel EPD, which names A992 among covered product standards. |
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 Steel?
Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 385 MPa against 220 MPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24 (1.75x).
Which is lighter, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Steel?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter: 1,769 kg/m³ against 7,850 kg/m³ for Steel.
Which is stiffer, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Steel?
Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 44.8 GPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24, so the same part in Steel deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Steel?
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 | Magnesium AZ31B-H24 | Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | about equal | about equal |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.1x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 2.69x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 2.54x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 3.06x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 3.35x 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 Steel?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 conducts heat better: 76.9 W/m·K against 48 W/m·K for Steel.
Which expands less with temperature?
Steel expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 26.8 µm/m·K for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.