Materials database

High-purity magnesium die casting alloy optimized for energy absorption and ductility. 6% Al content provides a balance between strength and elongation (8-12%), superior to AZ91D for crash-relevant parts. Excellent corrosion resistance through strict Fe/Ni/Cu control. Not weldable. Used for automotive seat frames, steering wheel cores, instrument panel supports, pedal brackets, and wheel components where impact resistance is critical. The ductile alternative to AZ91D. DIN: 3.5662, EN: MC 21230.

The most widely used wrought magnesium alloy. Available as sheet, plate, bar, and extrusion. 3% Al + 1% Zn gives good room-temperature strength and ductility with excellent weldability (TIG/MIG). Density 1.78 g/cm³. An alternative to aluminum where weight reduction is critical. Used for aircraft fuselage panels, electronic device housings (laptops, smartphones), lightweight jigs and fixtures, vibration-damping components, and rapid prototyping. Strain-hardened tempers (H24, H26) provide higher strength. DIN: 3.5312.

The most widely used magnesium die casting alloy worldwide. High-purity variant (D suffix) with strict Fe, Ni, Cu limits for excellent corrosion resistance. 9% Al + 1% Zn provides good castability, strength, and dimensional stability. Density only 1.81 g/cm³ — 35% lighter than aluminum. Not weldable. Used for automotive transmission cases, engine covers, steering components, laptop and smartphone housings, power tool casings, and camera bodies. The industry standard for Mg die casting. DIN: 3.5912, EN: MC 21120.

Cobalt-28Chromium-6Molybdenum investment casting alloy for surgical implants. The standard material for orthopedic hip and knee joint replacements since the 1970s. Excellent biocompatibility, wear resistance (metal-on-metal bearings), and corrosion resistance from passive Cr oxide layer. Also used in dental prosthetics (crowns, bridges, denture frameworks). Typically produced by lost-wax (investment) casting, often followed by HIP to eliminate porosity. ISO designation: ISO 5832-4.

Low-carbon cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy optimized for cavitation, galling, and corrosion resistance rather than abrasive wear. CoCrMo matrix without tungsten — Mo replaces W for superior corrosion resistance in reducing environments. Lower hardness (25-35 HRC) than Stellite 6 but better ductility and thermal/mechanical shock resistance. Used for valve seats in corrosive service, pump components in chemical processing, hot gas path components, and nuclear valve hardfacing. Also used as dental/orthopedic implant hardfacing.

The world's most widely used cobalt-based wear-resistant alloy. CoCrW matrix with hard chromium carbides (M7C3) provides exceptional resistance to abrasion, erosion, cavitation, galling, and corrosion across a wide temperature range. Retains hardness up to 500°C. Non-magnetic. Industry standard for general-purpose wear resistance — suitable for hardfacing (PTA, laser, TIG), casting, and powder metallurgy. Used for valve seats, pump sleeves, bearing surfaces, cutting tools, hot-forming dies, and turbine blade erosion shields.

Rare-earth magnesium alloy with yttrium (4%) and neodymium (2.25%) for exceptional high-temperature strength and creep resistance up to 300°C. Passed FAA flammability tests in 2015, lifting the ban on Mg in aircraft cabin interiors. Also biocompatible — used in biodegradable medical implants (stents, screws) with CE marking. Weldable (TIG). Used for helicopter gearbox casings, aircraft seat structures, engine components, racing wheels, and biomedical implants. The premium aerospace magnesium alloy.

Hypereutectic zinc-aluminum alloy with 11% Al and 1% Cu. Bridges the gap between Zamak alloys and ZA-27 with good castability in both gravity and pressure die casting (cold chamber). Higher strength and better bearing/wear properties than Zamak 3/5, with good machinability from continuous cast bar stock. Density 6.03 g/cm³. Used for bearings, bushings, wear-resistant components, hydraulic fittings, and general engineering castings. Can be chrome plated with modified processes.

The strongest and lightest zinc casting alloy with 27% Al and 2.2% Cu. Highest strength (UTS ~425 MPa, YS ~380 MPa), highest melting point, and lowest density (5.0 g/cm³) of all zinc alloys. Cold chamber die casting only. Cannot be chrome plated. Excellent bearing properties and wear resistance. Used for high-strength structural castings, gear blanks, bearing housings, cam followers, and components replacing bronze or cast iron at lower cost. Also available as continuous cast bar for machining.

The world's most widely used zinc die casting alloy — nearly 70% of all zinc die castings in North America. 4% Al provides excellent castability, dimensional stability, and surface finish. No copper addition gives best long-term dimensional stability and ductility. Superb plating, painting, and chromating characteristics. Used for automotive hardware, door handles, zippers, toys, electrical components, decorative fittings, and consumer goods. The benchmark zinc alloy. Also known as ASTM AG40A, EN ZnAl4.

Copper-containing zinc die casting alloy with higher strength and creep resistance than Zamak 3. The 1% Cu addition improves hardness and wear resistance at the expense of some long-term dimensional stability. Preferred in Europe over Zamak 3. Used for automotive die castings, lock housings, power tool components, industrial hardware, and applications requiring higher creep resistance under sustained load. Also known as ASTM AC41A, EN ZnAl4Cu1.