Magnesium Alloy AZ61 (93% Mg, 6% Al, 1% Zn) represents an important wrought magnesium alloy offering an excellent balance of mechanical properties, formability, and weight reduction for engineering applications. This alloy provides superior specific strength and processing characteristics, making it valuable for aerospace, automotive, and manufactured components where weight savings deliver performance and efficiency gains.
Material Overview
AZ61 features a magnesium-rich matrix with approximately 6 wt% aluminum and 1 wt% zinc, forming a microstructure governed by the Mg17Al12 intermetallic phase that influences mechanical behavior and corrosion resistance [1]. The alloy is produced in cast and wrought forms through homogenization, extrusion, and rolling to refine grain structure [2]. AZ-series alloys are valued for high strength-to-weight ratios and superior flow characteristics during forming operations, making AZ61 particularly suitable for extrusion and wrought component production [3]. Aluminum provides solid-solution strengthening while zinc improves grain refinement and reduces hot-cracking susceptibility [4].
Applications and Advantages
AZ61 rod and extruded products serve aerospace applications for aircraft weight reduction, though adoption requires careful corrosion protection and surface treatments [3]. The automotive sector employs AZ-type alloys for structural profiles, seat frames, and housings where reduced mass contributes to fuel efficiency [5]. The alloy demonstrates good formability and can be friction stir welded, though weldments require protective measures for corrosion resistance [6][7]. AZ61's corrosion resistance is substantially improved through anodization in borate-containing electrolytes, reducing stress-corrosion cracking in chloride environments [8]. Advanced eco-friendly sol-gel conversion coatings doped with organic inhibitors further enhance protection through self-sealing of microdefects [2].
Goodfellow Availability
Goodfellow provides Magnesium Alloy AZ61 rod in various diameters to meet diverse engineering and research requirements. Custom dimensions are available to support specialized applications across aerospace, automotive, and general manufacturing sectors.
Explore Magnesium Alloy AZ61 rod and other advanced materials in Goodfellow's online catalogue: Goodfellow product finder.
References
- [1] Murugesan, R., Venkataramana, S. H., Marimuthu, S., et al. (2023). Influence of alloying materials Al, Cu, and Ca on microstructures, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of Mg alloys. ACS Omega. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c03417
- [2] Domínguez-Martínez, J., López-Sánchez, J., García-Galván, F. R., et al. (2024). Eco-friendly sol-gel coatings with organic corrosion inhibitors for lightweight AZ61 alloy. Gels. https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10030168
- [3] Bai, J., Yang, Y., Wen, C., et al. (2023). Applications of magnesium alloys for aerospace: A review. Journal of Magnesium and Alloys. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jma.2023.09.015
- [4] Wendt, A., Weiss, K., Ben-Dov, A., et al. (2016). Magnesium castings in aeronautics applications — special requirements. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48099-2_9
- [5] Luo, A. A. (2013). Applications: Aerospace, automotive and other structural applications of magnesium. https://doi.org/10.1533/9780857097293.266
- [6] Dhanapal, A., Boopathy, S. R., & Balasubramanian, V. (2012). Comparative evaluation of corrosion behavior of friction stir welded AZ61A weldments. Transactions of The Indian Institute of Metals. https://doi.org/10.1007/S12666-012-0131-Z
- [7] García-Galván, F. R., López-Sánchez, J., Barranco, V., et al. (2024). Towards sustainable corrosion protection: An investigation into ecofriendly sol-gel conversion coatings for AZ61. Meeting Abstracts. https://doi.org/10.1149/ma2024-02171694mtgabs
- [8] Oliveira, M. C. L., & Antunes, R. A. (2023). Effect of anodization on the stress corrosion cracking behavior of AZ61 magnesium alloy. Materials Research. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5373-mr-2022-0357