Magnesium Alloys
Magnesium Alloy
CNC Machining
Machining AZ31B and AZ91D magnesium alloys for ultra-lightweight structural parts, electronic housings, optical frames, and weight-critical aerospace and automotive components — the lightest structural metal available.
✓AZ31B (wrought) and AZ91D (cast) magnesium alloys
✓~35% lighter than aluminum, ~75% lighter than steel
✓Fire-safe machining with proper chip and coolant management
✓Prototype to production with material certification
Material Grades
Magnesium Grades We Machine
AZ31B — Wrought Magnesium
Most common wrought Mg · Good formability · Excellent machinability
Structural brackets, electronic device housings, camera and optical equipment frames, laptop and tablet enclosures, drone structural panels, instrument cases, and lightweight jig plates. Supplied as plate, sheet, or bar stock for CNC machining from solid.
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AZ91D — Cast Magnesium
Die-cast grade · Higher strength · Better corrosion resistance than AZ31B
Post-machining of die-cast housings, automotive brackets, powertrain covers, transmission cases, and electronic enclosures. We machine AZ91D castings to final dimensions — precision bores, mounting faces, threaded features, and sealing surfaces.
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Grade Selection
AZ31B vs AZ91D: How to Choose
| Property | AZ31B (Wrought) | AZ91D (Cast) |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Plate, sheet, bar stock | Die-cast blanks |
| Density | ~1.77 g/cm³ — lightest structural metal | |
| Strength | ||
| Corrosion Resist. | ||
| Machinability | ||
| Weldability | ||
| Typical Source | Machined from solid stock | Post-machining of castings |
| Typical Parts | Enclosures, brackets, optical frames | Automotive housings, powertrain covers |
| Best For | Ultra-light CNC parts from billet | Post-machining cast components |
Core Value
Why Magnesium Machining Requires Specialized Control
Magnesium machines beautifully — fast, clean, with excellent surface finish. But the fine chips are flammable, and the process requires proper safety measures that most shops don't have.
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Challenges with Magnesium Machining
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Fine chips are a fire and safety hazardMagnesium chips and dust can ignite — water-based coolant causes hydrogen reaction. Most CNC shops refuse magnesium work entirely.
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Corrosion develops quickly if not protectedBare magnesium corrodes rapidly in humid environments — parts need protective treatment or coating immediately after machining.
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Thin walls deflect easilyMagnesium is soft and lightweight — thin features deflect under cutting forces more than aluminum, requiring careful fixturing and tool strategy.
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Limited supplier baseMost CNC shops don't stock magnesium, don't have safety equipment, and refuse to quote it — limiting options for customers who need Mg parts.
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How We Handle It
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Dedicated Mg-safe machining setupDry machining or mineral oil coolant, dedicated chip collection, fire-rated waste storage, and trained operators — no water-based coolant on magnesium.
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Immediate surface protection after machiningParts receive chromate conversion, micro-arc oxidation, or protective coating promptly after machining — preventing corrosion before packaging.
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Optimized feeds and fixturing for soft materialSharp tools, high spindle speed, controlled depth of cut, and custom soft-jaw fixturing to prevent deflection and achieve clean surfaces on thin-wall features.
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AZ31B and AZ91D material in supply chainWrought AZ31B plate and bar in stock, AZ91D casting post-machining supported — no need to source your own material.
Capabilities
Machining Capabilities for Magnesium Alloys
CAP / 01
CNC Milling for Mg Housings & Frames
AZ31B enclosures, device housings, instrument frames, and structural panels milled from billet with excellent surface finish at high spindle speed. Dry or mineral-oil machining.
CAP / 02
CNC Turning for Mg Components
Magnesium shafts, spacers, optical lens barrels, and rotational components turned with sharp tooling and controlled chip evacuation for fire safety.
CAP / 03
5-Axis for Complex Mg Structures
Multi-face lightweight brackets, complex drone components, and camera housing structures machined in a single setup — critical for maintaining positional accuracy on light, flexible material.
Product Types
Typical Magnesium Parts We Machine
Electronics & Device Housings
AZ31B
CNC milling + chromate conversion · Laptops, cameras, instruments
UAV & Drone Structural Parts
AZ31B
5-axis machining · Ultra-lightweight frames & mounts
Optical & Camera Frames
AZ31B
Precision milling · Instrument & lens mount housings
Automotive & EV Brackets
AZ31B · AZ91D
Lightweight structural · Weight-saving applications
Powertrain & Transmission Covers
AZ91D
Post-machining of castings · Sealing faces & bores
Lightweight Jigs & Fixtures
AZ31B
CNC milling · Ergonomic tooling for production lines
Lightweight Heat Dissipation Parts
AZ31B
High thermal conductivity-to-weight ratio
Aerospace Lightweight Structures
AZ31B
Weight-critical brackets · Support structures
Surface Treatment
Surface Protection for Magnesium Parts
Magnesium corrodes faster than aluminum in unprotected conditions. Surface treatment is not optional — it is essential for every magnesium part that leaves the shop.
Chromate Conversion Coating
The most common protective treatment for magnesium. Creates a thin corrosion-resistant layer that also serves as an excellent paint or primer adhesion base. MIL-DTL-5541 compliant.
Micro-Arc Oxidation (MAO)
Plasma electrolytic process creating a hard, wear-resistant ceramic oxide layer on magnesium surfaces. Superior corrosion and abrasion protection for demanding applications.
Painting & Powder Coating
Applied over chromate conversion primer for durable cosmetic and environmental protection. Common on consumer electronics housings, camera bodies, and visible structural parts.
VCI & Desiccant Packaging
Vapor corrosion inhibitor (VCI) wrapping and desiccant packs for safe storage and transport. Essential for bare or lightly coated magnesium parts shipped internationally.
Workflow
Magnesium Machining Process Flow
1
Material & Safety Setup
AZ31B billet or AZ91D casting received. Machining environment configured: dry cutting or mineral-oil coolant, chip collection active.
2
Rough Machining
Stock removed at high speed with sharp tooling. Chip evacuation managed continuously — no chip accumulation on the workpiece or in the enclosure.
3
Finish Machining
Final dimensions, thin walls, pockets, and fit surfaces finished with controlled feeds to achieve clean surface and prevent deflection.
4
Surface Protection
Chromate conversion, MAO, painting, or coating applied promptly — magnesium must not sit unprotected in ambient conditions.
5
Inspection & Delivery
Dimensions verified, surface protection confirmed, parts packed with VCI wrapping and desiccant for safe transit.
Why Choose Us
Why Machine Magnesium With Us
Most CNC shops refuse magnesium work because of the fire risk. We've invested in the equipment, training, and process controls to machine it safely and consistently — so you don't have to search for a capable supplier.
1
Fire-Safe Machining Environment
Dedicated Mg machining setup with dry cutting or mineral-oil coolant, continuous chip extraction, and fire-rated waste management — not improvised, not an afterthought.
2
Experience with AZ31B & AZ91D
Routine machining of wrought AZ31B from billet and post-machining of AZ91D die-cast parts — with process parameters optimized for each grade.
3
Surface Protection Coordinated In-House
Chromate conversion, micro-arc oxidation, and painting coordinated immediately after machining — parts never sit unprotected waiting for the next process.
4
Prototype to Production — Same Safety Standards
Whether it's a 1-piece prototype or a 500-piece batch, the same fire safety protocols, chip management, and surface protection procedures apply to every magnesium part.
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Send Your Drawing.
Get a Quote.
Every enquiry includes a DFM review — tolerance feasibility, material confirmation, and process approach confirmed before production starts. MOQ 1 piece.
24hr
Quote Response
MOQ 1
Prototypes OK
ISO
9001:2015
📐
DFM Review on Every Enquiry
Tolerance feasibility, fixturing strategy, and material confirmation. Specific, actionable feedback — not generic pushback.
🎯
First Article Inspection — Standard
FAI report on every new run. Material certs and surface treatment certs included with every shipment.
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Same Process: Prototype to Production
Process plan from your prototype applies to production batches. No re-qualification when you scale.
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3 / 4 / 5-Axis CNC + Turning
Complex structural parts, shafts, housings, and transmission components. Metals and engineering plastics.
ISO 9001:2015
3/4/5-Axis Milling
CNC Turning
CMM Inspection
Global Delivery