Materials / Compare

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 vs. Steel AISI 1045

Compare Magnesium AZ31B-H24 vs. Steel AISI 1045 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Magnesium AZ31B-H24Wrought
Steel AISI 1045Wrought
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Mechanical
Yield strength220MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, 0.2 % proof stress531MPasourceproducer-stated, cold drawn
Ultimate tensile strength290MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm627MPasourceproducer-stated, cold drawn
Elongation at break13%sourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, gauge 5.65√A12%sourcein 2 in (50.8 mm)
Young's modulus (stiffness)44.8GPasourcetypical (handbook physical constant)210GPasourcetypical
Density1,769kg/m³sourcenominal7,800kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight124kN·m/kg1.83x higher68.1kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight25.3MN·m/kg26.9MN·m/kg6% higher
Poisson's ratio0.35sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)0.3sourcetypical
Shear modulus16.6GPa80.8GPa4.87x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus49.8GPa175GPa
Speed of sound5,032m/s5,189m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity76.9W/m·Ksourcetypical (temper/temperature not stated)40–45W/m·Ksourcetypical range, ambient
Thermal expansion26.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical (temperature range not stated)12µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-300 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing134µm growth60µm growth2.23x less
Specific heat1,040J/kg·Ksourcetypical460–480J/kg·Ksourcetypical range, 50/100 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)41.8mm²/s3.61x faster11.6mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance9,159W/m46% more resistant6,269W/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 1045 cold drawn bar (Niagara LaSalle) for mechanical; Ovako C45 (lists 'SAE 1045' as a similar designation) for physical constants

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 1045?

Steel AISI 1045 is stronger: its yield strength is 531 MPa against 220 MPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24 (2.41x).

Which is lighter, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Steel AISI 1045?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter: 1,769 kg/m³ against 7,800 kg/m³ for Steel AISI 1045.

Which is stiffer, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Steel AISI 1045?

Steel AISI 1045 is stiffer: Young's modulus 210 GPa against 44.8 GPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24, so the same part in Steel AISI 1045 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Steel AISI 1045?

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; Steel AISI 1045 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension).

Part that must beMagnesium AZ31B-H24Steel AISI 1045
Stiff rod or tie (tension)6% heavierlighter
Stiff beam (bending)lighter2.04x heavier
Stiff panel or platelighter2.63x heavier
Strong rod or tielighter1.83x heavier
Strong beamlighter2.45x heavier
Strong panel or platelighter2.84x 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 1045?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 conducts heat better: 76.9 W/m·K against 42.5 W/m·K for Steel AISI 1045.

Which expands less with temperature?

Steel AISI 1045 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 NylonAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless 304Stainless 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel 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 1045
Stiffness against density
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonRubberAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless 304Stainless 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel 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 1045
Strength against density

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