Overview
AZ80A Magnesium Alloy is a high-strength heat-treatable magnesium alloy containing approximately 8% aluminum and 0.5% zinc, offering an excellent combination of lightweight properties, high mechanical strength, good fatigue resistance, and outstanding machinability.
Compared with AZ31B and AZ61A, AZ80A provides significantly higher tensile and yield strength due to its increased aluminum content and excellent response to heat treatment. It is widely used in aerospace, defense, motorsports, military equipment, and lightweight structural applications where maximum strength is required while minimizing weight.
AZ80A magnesium alloy is widely used in:
- Aerospace Components
- Helicopter Gearboxes
- Military Equipment
- Racing Components
- Aircraft Structural Parts
- Automotive Performance Components
- Lightweight Machinery Parts
- Forged Structural Components
Because of its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, AZ80A is one of the strongest commercially available magnesium alloys for structural applications.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | AZ80A Magnesium Alloy |
| ASTM Standard | ASTM B80 |
| UNS Number | M11800 |
| Material Family | Magnesium-Aluminum-Zinc Alloy |
| Density | 1.81 g/cm³ |
| Magnetic Property | Non-Magnetic |
| Typical Supply Condition | T5, T6 Heat Treated |
| Standard Forms | Forgings, Plate, Bar, Rod, Extrusions |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Magnesium (Mg) | Balance |
| Aluminum (Al) | 8.2–9.0 |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.2–1.0 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.12–0.50 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤0.10 |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤0.05 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤0.005 |
| Nickel (Ni) | ≤0.005 |
The high aluminum content significantly increases strength and heat-treatment response.
Mechanical Properties
T5 Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 300–340 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 220–260 MPa |
| Elongation | 6–10% |
| Hardness | 75–95 HB |
| Elastic Modulus | 45 GPa |
T6 Heat Treated Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 350–390 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 250–310 MPa |
| Elongation | 4–8% |
| Hardness | 90–115 HB |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.81 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 520–635°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 77 W/m·K |
| Electrical Conductivity | 22% IACS |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.078 μΩ·m |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | 26 × 10⁻⁶/K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 1020 J/kg·K |
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| AZ80A Magnesium | 1.81 | 390 MPa |
| ZK60A Magnesium | 1.83 | 370 MPa |
| AZ61A Magnesium | 1.81 | 320 MPa |
| Aluminum 6061-T6 | 2.70 | 310 MPa |
| Grade 2 Titanium | 4.51 | 345 MPa |
AZ80A provides one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios among magnesium alloys.
Corrosion Resistance
| Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Indoor Environment | Good |
| Dry Atmosphere | Good |
| Fresh Water | Fair |
| Marine Atmosphere | Moderate |
| Salt Water | Poor |
| Industrial Environment | Fair |
Protective surface treatments are recommended for outdoor and corrosive environments.
Recommended surface treatments:
- Chromate Conversion Coating
- Anodizing
- Powder Coating
- Ceramic Coating
- Electroless Nickel Plating
- Painting
Fatigue Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Fatigue Strength | Excellent |
| Cyclic Loading Resistance | Excellent |
| Impact Resistance | Good |
| Structural Durability | Excellent |
AZ80A performs exceptionally well under dynamic loading conditions.
Wear Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Abrasion Resistance | Good |
| Sliding Wear Resistance | Good |
| Impact Resistance | Good |
| Surface Durability | Good |
The T6 condition improves wear resistance significantly.
Weldability
| Welding Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| TIG Welding | Fair |
| MIG Welding | Fair |
| Resistance Welding | Good |
| Laser Welding | Good |
Because of the higher aluminum content, weldability is lower than AZ31B and AZ61A.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Turning | Excellent |
| CNC Milling | Excellent |
| Drilling | Excellent |
| Tapping | Excellent |
| Grinding | Good |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| AZ80A Magnesium | Excellent |
| AZ61A Magnesium | Excellent |
| Aluminum 6061 | Excellent |
| Titanium Grade 5 | Moderate |
| Stainless Steel 304 | Moderate |
AZ80A can be machined at high speeds with low cutting forces.
Heat Treatment
Solution Treatment
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 400–430°C |
| Holding Time | 8–16 Hours |
| Cooling Method | Water Quench |
Aging Treatment (T6)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 170–200°C |
| Holding Time | 12–24 Hours |
| Cooling Method | Air Cool |
Heat Treatability
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Precipitation Hardening | Excellent |
| T6 Response | Outstanding |
| Structural Stability | Excellent |
AZ80A achieves maximum strength in the T6 condition.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ASTM (USA) | AZ80A |
| UNS | M11800 |
| AMS | AMS 4427 |
| EN (Europe) | MgAl8Zn0.5 |
| DIN (Germany) | 3.5812 |
| ISO | AZ80A |
| JIS (Japan) | AZ80A |
| GB/T (China) | MB8 |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Forgings | Yes |
| Plate | Yes |
| Round Bar | Yes |
| Rod | Yes |
| Extrusions | Yes |
| Billets | Yes |
Typical Applications
Aerospace Industry
- Helicopter Transmission Housings
- Aircraft Structural Components
- Aerospace Brackets
- Lightweight Assemblies
Defense Industry
- Military Equipment
- Portable Systems
- Structural Components
- Lightweight Weapon Platforms
Automotive Industry
- Racing Components
- Suspension Parts
- Lightweight Chassis Structures
- Performance Vehicle Components
Industrial Manufacturing
- High-Speed Machinery Components
- Precision Structural Parts
- Lightweight Equipment Frames
Sporting Goods
- Racing Equipment
- Bicycle Components
- Performance Sporting Products
Robotics Industry
- Lightweight Robot Structures
- Motion System Components
- Precision Assemblies
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Machining | Outstanding |
| Forging | Excellent |
| Heat Treatment | Excellent |
| Extrusion | Excellent |
| Welding | Fair |
| Surface Finishing | Excellent |
Advantages
Extremely High Strength
One of the strongest commercial magnesium alloys available.
Excellent Strength-to-Weight Ratio
Outstanding mechanical performance at very low weight.
Excellent Fatigue Resistance
Suitable for aerospace and motorsports applications.
Outstanding Machinability
High machining efficiency and productivity.
Heat Treatable
Can achieve significantly improved strength through T6 aging.
Lightweight
Approximately 33% lighter than aluminum and 77% lighter than steel.
Limitations
Moderate Corrosion Resistance
Protective coatings are generally required.
Reduced Weldability
Lower weldability than AZ31B and AZ61A.
Lower Ductility
Less formable than lower-strength magnesium alloys.
Limited High-Temperature Capability
Not intended for sustained high-temperature structural service.
Comparison with Other Magnesium Alloys
| Property | AZ80A | ZK60A | AZ61A | AZ31B |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | Very High | High | Moderate | Moderate |
| Fatigue Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good | Good |
| Formability | Moderate | Moderate | Good | Excellent |
| Weldability | Fair | Fair | Good | Good |
| Heat Treatability | Excellent | Excellent | Limited | Limited |
Comparison with Common Lightweight Materials
| Material | Density | Tensile Strength | Strength-to-Weight Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| AZ80A Magnesium | 1.81 g/cm³ | 390 MPa | Outstanding |
| Aluminum 6061-T6 | 2.70 g/cm³ | 310 MPa | Excellent |
| Grade 2 Titanium | 4.51 g/cm³ | 345 MPa | Excellent |
| Carbon Steel A36 | 7.85 g/cm³ | 400 MPa | Moderate |
Available Surface Finishes
Raw Finishes
- Mill Finish
- T5 Finish
- T6 Heat Treated Finish
Functional Finishes
- Precision Machined Finish
- Polished Finish
- Bead Blasted Finish
Protective Finishes
- Anodized Finish
- Chromate Conversion Coating
- Powder Coating
- Ceramic Coating
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is AZ80A magnesium alloy?
AZ80A is a high-strength magnesium-aluminum-zinc alloy designed for aerospace, defense, and lightweight structural applications.
What is AZ80A used for?
Typical applications include:
- Aerospace Components
- Helicopter Gearboxes
- Military Equipment
- Racing Components
- Lightweight Structural Parts
What is the equivalent material to AZ80A?
Common equivalents include:
- UNS M11800
- AMS 4427
- MgAl8Zn0.5
- MB8
What is the difference between AZ80A and AZ61A?
| Property | AZ80A | AZ61A |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Higher | Lower |
| Heat Treatability | Better | Limited |
| Ductility | Lower | Higher |
| Structural Performance | Better | Good |
Is AZ80A corrosion resistant?
AZ80A offers moderate corrosion resistance and generally requires protective coatings.
Can AZ80A be welded?
Yes, but weldability is lower than AZ31B and AZ61A due to its higher aluminum content.
Why choose AZ80A magnesium?
Because it combines:
- Very High Strength
- Lightweight Performance
- Excellent Fatigue Resistance
- Outstanding Machinability
- Heat Treatability
Is AZ80A suitable for aerospace applications?
Yes. AZ80A is widely used in aerospace structures, helicopter components, and lightweight engineering assemblies.
Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for AZ80A magnesium?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- CNC Machining
- Magnesium Alloy Fabrication
- Precision Milling
- Aerospace Component Manufacturing
- Surface Finishing
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production