Zk60 MagnesiumAlloy 

ZK60 Magnesium Alloy

1. Chemical Composition

ZK60 magnesium alloy, as a high-performance magnesium-based material, primarily consists of magnesium (Mg) as the base element (>90 wt%), with zinc (Zn: 4.5-5.5% ) and zirconium (Zr: 0.3–0.6%) as key alloying elements. Impurities such as Fe, Cu, and Ni are strictly controlled. Compliant with ASTM standards, zirconium plays a critical role in grain refinement and strength enhancement.

2. Physical Properties

ZK60 exhibits unique physical characteristics, including:

Density: 1.85–1.87 g/cm³ (~2/3 of aluminum, 1/4 of steel), ideal for lightweight applications.

Specific Heat Capacity: ~1.0 kJ/(kg·K).

Electrical Resistivity: 5.6–5.7 μΩ·cm.

Thermal Conductivity: 80–116W/(m·K).

Damping Capacity: >0.02 (forged state).

Electromagnetic Shielding: 60–70 dB.1 GHz.1 mm），(high-frequency range under specified conditions).
Note: Corrosion resistance is moderate; surface treatments (e.g., micro-arc oxidation, coatings) are required for improved durability.

3. Manufacturing & Processing

Production Process:

Melting: Conducted under inert gas (SF₆/Ar) protection to minimize oxidation. Refining and degassing ensure compositional stability.

Casting: Semi-continuous casting produces high-quality ingots for subsequent extrusion/forging.

Heat Treatment: Aging treatments (T5/T6) optimize microstructure and mechanical properties.

Machining & Joining:

Machining: Compatible with cutting, grinding, and drilling.

Welding: Traditional fusion welding (TIG/MIG) is prone to cracks; advanced methods (laser/electron beam welding, friction stir welding (FSW)) are recommended.

4. Mechanical Properties

Property                       Typical Range                                 Optimization Methods

Tensile Strength       ≥300 MPa (up to 370 MPa) Extrusion + aging/forging

Yield Strength       200–300 MPa                                 T5 aging/dynamic recrystallization

Elongation               5–15% (hot extrusion)                      —

Fatigue Strength      (R=-1)110–130 MPa             Isothermal forging/surface treatment

Elastic Modulus     44–45 GPa                             Grain refinement/microstructure control

5. Delivery Conditions

Extruded State: High strength and toughness, suitable for lightweight load-bearing structures (T5/T6 optional).

Forged State: Superior fatigue resistance and toughness, ideal for high-stress applications.

6. Applications

Aerospace: Aircraft frames, wing components, rocket housings, satellite structures, helicopter landing gear, UAV frames.

Automotive: Lightweight body structures (doors, seat frames), transmission housings, engine brackets, wheels, steering skeletons.

Electronics: Laptop/phone casings, camera bodies, drone housings, 5G base station components, heat sinks.

Medical Devices: Orthopedic implants (e.g., high-purity or surface-coated versions for bone screws/plates), rehabilitation aids, medical imaging equipment.

Sports Equipment: Bicycle frames, premium tennis rackets, golf clubs, ski boards, trekking poles.

7. Modification & Enhancements

Alloying: Addition of rare earth elements (e.g., Ce, Nd) or calcium improves strength and ductility.

Heat Treatment: Optimized aging processes refine grain structure and homogenize the microstructure.

ZK60 vs. ZK60A 

ZK60 aligns with ASTM International, while ZK60A (GB/T 5153 、ASTM) may exhibit minor compositional/processing differences. 

For general industrial applications, choosing ZK60 offers better cost-effectiveness. If higher strength, fatigue resistance, and corrosion resistance are required,  then ZK60A is the better choice.

Available : Sheets, round bars, tubes, and custom components.