Materials / Compare

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 vs. Steel AISI 1018

Compare Magnesium AZ31B-H24 vs. Steel AISI 1018 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Magnesium AZ31B-H24Wrought
Steel AISI 1018Wrought
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Mechanical
Yield strength220MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, 0.2 % proof stress372MPasourceproducer-stated, cold drawn
Ultimate tensile strength290MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm441MPasourceproducer-stated, cold drawn
Elongation at break13%sourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, gauge 5.65√A15%sourcein 2 in (50.8 mm)
Young's modulus (stiffness)44.8GPasourcetypical (handbook physical constant)200GPasourcebase material: AISI 1025 plain carbon steel (MIL-HDBK-5J design value; ASTM A108 bar is the cold-finished carbon-steel bar spec that also covers 1018)
Density1,769kg/m³sourcenominal7,861kg/m³sourcebase material: AISI 1025 plain carbon steel (MIL-HDBK-5J design value; ASTM A108 bar is the cold-finished carbon-steel bar spec that also covers 1018)
Strength to weight124kN·m/kg2.63x higher47.3kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight25.3MN·m/kg25.4MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio0.35sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)0.32sourcebase material: AISI 1025 plain carbon steel (MIL-HDBK-5J design value; ASTM A108 bar is the cold-finished carbon-steel bar spec that also covers 1018)
Shear modulus16.6GPa75.7GPa4.56x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus49.8GPa185GPa
Speed of sound5,032m/s5,043m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity76.9W/m·Ksourcetypical (temper/temperature not stated)51.9W/m·Ksourcebase material: AISI 1025 plain carbon steel (MIL-HDBK-5J design value; ASTM A108 bar is the cold-finished carbon-steel bar spec that also covers 1018)
Thermal expansion26.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical (temperature range not stated)12µm/m·Ksourcebase material: unalloyed carbon steel, Ovako family table (S275JR, 'none alloyed structural steels', C <= 0.21%); mean 20-300 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing134µm growth60µm growth2.23x less
Specific heat1,040J/kg·Ksourcetypical486J/kg·Ksourcebase material: AISI 1025 plain carbon steel (MIL-HDBK-5J design value; ASTM A108 bar is the cold-finished carbon-steel bar spec that also covers 1018)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)41.8mm²/s3.08x faster13.6mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance9,159W/m1.67x more resistant5,473W/m
Max service temperature149°Csourcestated application limitnot sourced
Values forAZ31B-H24 sheet 0.016-0.062 in., MIL-HDBK-5J Table 4.2.1.0(b) (AMS 4377); strengths are S-basis MINIMUMSAISI 1018 cold drawn bar (Niagara LaSalle, cold-finished bar producer)

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 AISI 1018?

Steel AISI 1018 is stronger: its yield strength is 372 MPa against 220 MPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24 (1.69x).

Which is lighter, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Steel AISI 1018?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter: 1,769 kg/m³ against 7,861 kg/m³ for Steel AISI 1018.

Which is stiffer, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Steel AISI 1018?

Steel AISI 1018 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 44.8 GPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24, so the same part in Steel AISI 1018 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Steel AISI 1018?

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 beMagnesium AZ31B-H24Steel AISI 1018
Stiff rod or tie (tension)about equalabout equal
Stiff beam (bending)lighter2.1x heavier
Stiff panel or platelighter2.7x heavier
Strong rod or tielighter2.63x heavier
Strong beamlighter3.13x heavier
Strong panel or platelighter3.42x 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 AISI 1018?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 conducts heat better: 76.9 W/m·K against 51.9 W/m·K for Steel AISI 1018.

Which expands less with temperature?

Steel AISI 1018 expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 26.8 µm/m·K for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.

Among 59 materials

1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonAluminumSteelIronTitaniumStainless 304Stainless 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless 303Stainless 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelMagnesium AZ31B-H24Steel AISI 1018
Stiffness against density
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonRubberAluminumSteelIronTitaniumStainless 304Stainless 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless 303Stainless 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLA Resin Elastic 50ASLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickMagnesium AZ31B-H24Steel AISI 1018
Strength against density

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