Elektron WE54 Magnesium Casting Alloy, UNS M18410,E FOUR

### **Elektron WE54 Magnesium Casting Alloy (UNS M18410)** **Product Overview** Elektron WE54 represents the premium grade of magnesium casting alloys within the Mg-Y-RE family, offering the highest combination of strength and elevated temperature performance available in commercial magnesium alloys. With exceptional creep resistance up to **300°C (572°F)** and superior mechanical properties retention after long-term thermal exposure, WE54 is engineered for the most demanding aerospace applications where lightweight materials must perform reliably under extreme conditions. This alloy is particularly suitable for sand casting and investment casting processes, achieving optimal performance through proprietary heat treatment cycles. --- #### **1. Chemical Composition** WE54 features a carefully optimized composition with higher yttrium and rare earth content compared to WE43. | Element | Composition (% by Weight) | | :---------------- | :-------------------------------- | | **Yttrium (Y)** | 4.75 - 5.50 % | | **Rare Earths (RE)*** | 2.8 - 4.0 % | | **Zirconium (Zr)** | 0.4 - 1.0 % | | **Neodymium (Nd)** | 1.5 - 2.0 % (typically part of RE) | | **Heavy Rare Earths** | ≤ 0.3 % | | **Zinc (Zn)** | ≤ 0.05 % | | **Manganese (Mn)** | ≤ 0.03 % | | **Copper (Cu)** | ≤ 0.03 % | | **Iron (Fe)** | ≤ 0.03 % | | **Nickel (Ni)** | ≤ 0.003 % | | **Silicon (Si)** | ≤ 0.03 % | | **Other Impurities** | ≤ 0.30 % (each) | | **Magnesium (Mg)** | Balance | *Note:* The precise balance of **Yttrium and Rare Earths** creates thermally stable intermetallic phases that resist coarsening at high temperatures, providing exceptional long-term stability. --- #### **2. Physical & Mechanical Properties** WE54 demonstrates the highest mechanical properties among commercial magnesium casting alloys at elevated temperatures. **Physical Properties:** * **Density:** ~1.85 g/cm³ (0.067 lb/in³) * **Melting Range:** ~ 550 - 640 °C (1022 - 1184 °F) * **Coefficient of Thermal Expansion:** 26.8 μm/m·°C (20-200°C) * **Thermal Conductivity:** 49 W/m·K **Typical Mechanical Properties (Fully Heat Treated, Room Temperature):** * **Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS):** 260 - 280 MPa (38 - 41 ksi) * **Tensile Yield Strength (TYS):** 175 - 195 MPa (25 - 28 ksi) * **Elongation:** 3 - 6% * **Compressive Yield Strength:** 175 - 195 MPa (25 - 28 ksi) * **Shear Strength:** ~ 145 MPa (21 ksi) * **Fatigue Strength:** ~ 125 MPa (18 ksi) **Elevated Temperature Performance:** * **Exceptional creep resistance up to 300°C (572°F)** * **Retains approximately 90% of room temperature strength at 250°C** * **Maintains mechanical properties after 1000+ hours at 300°C** * **Superior microstructural stability** compared to WE43 --- #### **3. International Standards & Specifications** WE54 is recognized by major international standards with specific premium-grade requirements. * **Unified Numbering System (UNS):** **UNS M18410** * **Aerospace Material Specification (AMS):** **AMS 4427** (Premium grade requirements) * **ASTM International:** **ASTM B80** (Grade WE54) * **SAE International:** **SAE AMS-M-317** (Class 1 requirements) * **European Standards:** **EN 1753** (Mg-Y-RE-Zr, premium grade) * **Military Standards:** **MIL-M-46098** (Class 1) * **Proprietary Designation:** **Elektron WE54** (Luxfer MEL Technologies) --- #### **4. Product Applications** WE54 is specified for critical applications where no compromise on high-temperature performance is acceptable. * **Aerospace & Defense:** * **Gas Turbine Engine Casings:** High-pressure compressor and turbine sections * **Engine Accessory Drive Housings** * **Rocket Motor Components:** Nozzle assemblies, housing structures * **Military Aircraft Transmission Housings** * **Satellite and Spacecraft Structural Components** * **High-Performance Motorsports:** * **Formula 1 & Le Mans Prototypes:** Turbocharger housings, energy recovery system components * **High-Temperature Powertrain Components** * **Specialty Industrial:** * **Nuclear Reactor Components** (utilizing low neutron capture cross-section) * **High-Temperature Process Equipment** --- **Summary** **Elektron WE54 (UNS M18410)** represents the ultimate evolution in high-temperature magnesium casting technology, offering the highest commercially available performance in its class. The alloy's optimized **yttrium and rare earth composition** provides unparalleled thermal stability, creep resistance, and mechanical property retention up to **300°C**. While sharing the same maximum service temperature as WE43, WE54 offers superior long-term microstructural stability and property retention under sustained thermal exposure. Certification to premium grades of **AMS 4427** and **MIL-M-46098** makes it the material of choice for mission-critical aerospace components where reliability under extreme conditions outweighs cost considerations. WE54 continues to push the boundaries of magnesium alloy performance in the most challenging engineering environments.

Packing of Standard Packing: Typical bulk packaging includes palletized plastic 5 gallon/25 kg. pails, fiber and steel drums to 1 ton super sacks in full container (FCL) or truck load (T/L) quantities. Research and sample quantities and hygroscopic, oxidizing or other air sensitive materials may be packaged under argon or vacuum. Solutions are packaged in polypropylene, plastic or glass jars up to palletized 3395 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request.