MPS  /  MATERIALS  /  INDUSTRIAL & BASE-METAL POWDER  /  MAGNESIUM & MAGNESIUM ALLOYS
Mg
Z 12 · ATOMIC MASS 24.305

Magnesium & Magnesium Alloys

Lightweight structural — with handling controls.   Gas- and rotating-electrode-atomized magnesium alloy powder (AZ91, AZ31, WE43, ZK60) for LPBF, biodegradable medical implants, and pyrotechnic-grade applications. All lots shipped in inert-gas-purged, DOT-compliant packaging.

Program Intake Program Tiers
Grades
AZ91 · AZ31 · WE43 · ZK60
Standards
ASTM B93 · B94
PSD cuts
25–63 · 45–106 · 106–250 μm
Process
GA · Rotating electrode (REP)
Lead time
4 weeks standard
Handling
Class 4.1 flammable solid
01METALLURGY

Magnesium is the lightest structural metal (1.74 g/cm³, ~2/3 the density of aluminum). The rare-earth-strengthened alloys — WE43 in particular — deliver aluminum-equivalent specific strength with better damping and machinability. WE43 has flight heritage on helicopter transmissions (Sikorsky S-92, Bell 429) and is emerging as a biodegradable orthopedic-implant material.

Magnesium powder is a flammable solid (DOT Class 4.1). We ship in inert-gas-purged containers with ignition-source controls and provide handling SOPs for grinding, cutting, and powder-handling operations. Bulk quantities require program-specific documentation.

02SPECIFICATION
Chemistry — AZ91
ASTM B93 · Al 8.5–9.5, Zn 0.45–0.9, Mn 0.17 min
Chemistry — AZ31
ASTM B93 · Al 2.5–3.5, Zn 0.6–1.4, Mn 0.20 min
Chemistry — WE43
ASTM B93 · Y 3.7–4.3, Nd 2.0–2.5, Zr 0.4 min
Chemistry — ZK60
ASTM B93 · Zn 4.8–6.2, Zr 0.4 min
Oxygen
≤ 2000 ppm (Mg powder passivation constrains lower limit)
Morphology
Spherical (GA/REP)
Apparent density
Reported per lot COA under program qualification
Hazard class
DOT 4.1, UN1418, PG II
Storage
Inert-gas-purged sealed containers
PSD (LPBF)
Reported per lot COA under program qualification
Handling
Ignition-source-controlled; grounded transfer
Traceability
VIM heat → atomization lot → PO
03GRADES & ALLOYS
AZ91
ASTM B93. General-purpose cast alloy. Die-cast automotive components.
AZ31
ASTM B93. Wrought alloy, sheet applications.
WE43
ASTM B93. Yttrium-neodymium alloy. Helicopter transmission, medical implants.
ZK60
ASTM B93. Zirconium-strengthened. Aerospace forgings.
WE54
Higher-Y content than WE43. Elevated-temperature applications.
AZ80
Similar to AZ91 with higher Al. Extruded structural profiles.
04PROCESSING ROUTES
LPBF
Argon atmosphere, O₂ < 100 ppm. Ignition-source controls mandatory.
Rotating-electrode process (REP)
Preferred atomization route for spherical Mg.
Die casting
Traditional route for AZ91 and AM60 alloys.
Extrusion / forging
Wrought AZ31, ZK60, WE43.
Biodegradable implants
WE43 stents and bone-fixation screws.
Pyrotechnic
Program-specific. Signaling flares, incendiary compositions.
05APPLICATIONS
Aerospace
Helicopter Transmission
WE43 gearcases. Sikorsky S-92 and Bell 429 flight heritage.
Medical
Biodegradable Implants
WE43 stents, bone screws, cardiovascular scaffolds. In-body dissolution.
Automotive
Lightweight Structural
AZ91 die-cast steering wheels, instrument panels, seat frames.
Defense
Portable Equipment
AZ31 chassis for man-portable electronics and optics.
Defense
Pyrotechnic
Signaling flares, decoy compositions. Program-specific.
Consumer Electronics
Housings
AZ91 die-cast laptop and camera housings for weight-critical products.
06QUALITY CONTROL
Chemistry
ICP-OES for all alloying elements · LECO for O/N
PSD
Laser diffraction per ASTM B822
Morphology
SEM per lot
Passivation
Oxide-layer thickness verification
Ignition testing
Minimum-ignition-energy per ASTM E2019 on request
DOT documentation
UN1418 shipping-classification package per shipment
Every lot ships with a mill-certified Certificate of Conformance (CofC) documenting chemistry, PSD, morphology, flow, and traceability from mill heat through atomization to PO. Retained samples are held per lot for program-life duration.

Move it to a
program.

MPS-1 qualification, MPS-2 production, or MPS-3 strategic supply. 4-week standard lead time on qualified stock.

Program Intake Compare Program Tiers