Why is magnesium used in CNC machining?

Magnesium is the lightest structural metal with excellent strength-to-weight ratio. It is used where weight reduction is critical—automotive, aerospace, and electronics. It machines exceptionally well with high cutting speeds and excellent surface finish.

What is the most machinable magnesium grade?

AZ31B is the most machinable magnesium alloy and is widely used for wrought products. AZ91D is the most common die-cast magnesium alloy.

What safety precautions are required for magnesium machining?

Magnesium chips are highly flammable and can ignite. Use flood coolant (no water-based with chips), sharp tooling, immediate chip evacuation, no accumulation of fines, covered chip containers, and Class D fire extinguishers. We implement all required safety protocols.

What are the common applications for magnesium?

Automotive instrument panels and seat frames, aerospace structural components, laptop frames, mobile device chassis, camera housings, and drone frames.

How does magnesium compare to aluminum?

Magnesium is 35% lighter than aluminum with comparable strength at reduced weight. It is less corrosion-resistant and more expensive but specified when maximum weight reduction is required.

Is magnesium corrosion-resistant?

Magnesium has good corrosion resistance but is less corrosion-resistant than aluminum. Chemical conversion coating or anodizing is applied for enhanced corrosion protection.

CNC Magnesium

CNC magnesium machining is the precision processing of magnesium alloys using computer-controlled cutting tools. Magnesium is the lightest structural metal, with a density of 1.74 g/cm³—about 35% lighter than aluminum and 75% lighter than steel. It offers excellent strength-to-weight ratio, good machinability, and electromagnetic shielding properties. The most common alloy is AZ91D (die-cast grade) and the most machinable is AZ31B.

Magnesium machines exceptionally well with high cutting speeds and excellent surface finish. However, it presents a critical safety risk: magnesium chips are highly flammable and can ignite during machining. Strict safety protocols are required: flood coolant, sharp tooling, no buildup of fines, and immediate chip evacuation. Tolerances are held to ±0.02-0.05mm standard. Applications include automotive instrument panels, aerospace structural components, electronics housings, and handheld device frames.

Our CNC Machining Services

From prototype to production — reliable quality, on-time delivery

We provide precision CNC machining services for a wide range of materials including aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, brass, titanium, PEEK, PTFE, acetal, nylon, and other engineering plastics. Our manufacturing capabilities cover 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis CNC milling, as well as CNC turning, suitable for both prototype development and high-volume production runs.

With ISO 9001:2015 certification and a commitment to quality, we serve customers across aerospace, automotive, medical, electronics, industrial equipment, and consumer goods industries. Our in-house capabilities include surface finishing, anodizing, powder coating, heat treatment, and inspection with CMM and optical measurement equipment.

We offer competitive pricing, flexible lead times, and full material traceability. From simple brackets to complex precision components, we deliver parts that meet your specifications with reliable quality and on-time delivery.

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Precision 6061 Aluminum Mold for Robotic Fingers with Thin-Wall Detail and Flatness Control-aluminum

SLINAR - Precision 7075 Aluminum Slider Connector: High-Speed Milling Solution for Aerospace Fastening Applications

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SLINAR - Precision Tool Steel Stepped Eccentric Camshaft: Integrated Turn-Mill + Grinding for Multi-Lobe Eccentricity Control

Precision Tool Steel Stepped Eccentric Camshaft: Integrated Turn-Mill + Grinding for Multi-Lobe Eccentricity Control-aluminum

SLINAR - Custom Aluminum 6061 Part CNC Milling Machining Service

Custom Aluminum 6061 Part CNC Milling Machining Service-aluminum

SLINAR - Precision 6061 Aluminum Two-Way Perpendicular Clamping Mount: Blue Anodized with 90° Orthogonal Shaft Clamping for Optical/Laboratory Systems

Precision 6061 Aluminum Two-Way Perpendicular Clamping Mount: Blue Anodized with 90° Orthogonal Shaft Clamping for Optical/Laboratory Systems-aluminum

Materials

Aluminum 5083-H111

Aluminum 5083-H111 | 3.3547 | 54300| AlMg4.5Mn0.7

Aluminum 5083 (CNC) is a strain hardening aluminum alloy with excellent corrosion resistance. Suitable for marine applications. Can be welded.

Understand Aluminum 5083-H111

Aluminum 6063

Aluminum 6063 | EN AW-6063 | 62400| AlMg0,7Si

Aluminum 6063 has good mechanical properties and can be heat treated. Suitable for aerospace applications. Can be welded.

Understand Aluminum 6063

Aluminum 5052

Aluminum 5052 | EN AW-5052 | 3.3523 | AlMg2,5

Aluminum 5052 is a strain hardening aluminum alloy with excellent corrosion resistance. Suitable for marine applications. Can be welded.

Understand Aluminum 5052

Aluminum 2024-T351

Aluminum 2024-T351 | 3.1355 | 24530 | AlCu4Mg1

Aluminum 2024 is a high-strength alloy with excellent fatigue resistance. Suitable for aerospace applications.

Understand Aluminum 2024-T351

Aluminum 7050

Aluminum 7050 | EN AW-7050 | 3.4144| AlZn6CuMgZr

Aluminum 7050 has excellent mechanical properties with good ductility, high strength, toughness and good resistance to fatigue. Suitable for aerospace applications.

Understand Aluminum 7050

Aluminum MIC-6

Aluminum MIC6

Aluminum MIC6 is a light weight material that can be easily machined at high speed and is free from tension, contaminants and porosity.

Understand Aluminum MIC-6

Aluminum 6082-T651

Aluminum 6082-T651 | 3.2315 | 64430 | AlSi1MgMn

Aluminum 6082-T651 (CNC) has very similar composition and properties to 6061, with slightly higher tensile strength. Compliant with British Standards.

Understand Aluminum 6082-T651

Aluminum 2017A

Aluminum 2017A | 3.1325 | 24530 | AlCu4MgSi

Aluminum 2017 has a higher ductility and formability than Aluminum 2014 and has intermediate strength.

Understand Aluminum 2017A

Aluminum 7075-T651

Aluminum 7075-T651 | 3.4365 | 76528 | AlZn5.5MgCu

Aluminum 7075-T651(CNC) is an aerospace-grade material with excellent strength-to-weight ratio and strength and hardness comparable to steels. T651 is the temper of Aluminum 7075, and to achieve this temper, the alloy is solution heat-treated, stress relieved, and then artificially aged.

Understand Aluminum 7075-T651

Aluminum 2014

Aluminum 2014 | 3.1255 | 24345 | AlCu4SiMg

Aluminum 2014 is easily machined and can be hardened to get strengths comparable to steel, but is prone to corrosion. Suitable for aerospace applications.

Understand Aluminum 2014

Aluminum 6061-T651

Aluminum 6061-T651 | 3.3211 | 65028 | AlMg1SiCu

Aluminum 6061-T651 is commonly used in aerospace, automotive and construction industry, as it is valued for its high strength, excellent machinability, and good weldability. The "T651" designation indicates that the material has been heat-treated to a specific level of hardness.

Understand Aluminum 6061-T651

Aluminum 7075-T7351

Aluminum 7075-T7351 | 3.4365 | 76528 | AlZn5.5MgCu

Aluminum 7075-T7351 is commonly used in aerospace and defense applications, as well as automotive and transportation, as it is valued for its high strength, excellent machinability and good fatigue resistance. The "T7351" designation indicates that the material has been heat-treated to a specific level of hardness.

Understand Aluminum 7075-T7351

Aluminum 6061-T6

Aluminum 6061-T6 | 3.3211| 65028| AlMg1SiCu

Aluminum 6061 (CNC) is the most popular aluminum alloy. It has good strength-to-weight ratio, excellent machinability and natural corrosion resistance.

Understand Aluminum 6061-T6

Aluminum 6082

Aluminum 6082 | 3.2315 | 64430| AlSi1MgMn

Aluminum 6082 (CNC) has very similar composition and properties to 6061, with slightly higher tensile strength. Compliant with British Standards.

Understand Aluminum 6082

Aluminum 6060

Aluminum 6060 | 3.3206 | AlMgSi

Alloy 6060 offers good strength, relatively good corrosion resistance and is suitable for decorative anodizing.

Understand Aluminum 6060

Aluminum 7075-T6

Aluminum 7075-T6 | 3.4365 | 76528 | AlZn5,5MgCu

Aluminum 7075-T6 (CNC) is an aerospace-grade material with excellent strength-to-weight ratio and strength and hardness comparable to steels.

Understand Aluminum 7075-T6

Applications

Automotive

Instrument panel structural components
Seat frames and steering column components
Gearbox housings and transfer case covers
Lightweight suspension components
Battery housings for electric vehicles

Aerospace

Aircraft seat frames
Instrument housings and enclosures
Satellite structural components
Helicopter transmission housings
Lightweight brackets and panels

Electronics

Laptop frames and housings
Mobile device chassis
Camera housings and gimbal arms
Drone frames and arms
Handheld device components

Industrial

Lightweight machinery parts
Robotics structural components
High-speed moving components

Capabilities

We machine magnesium alloys AZ31B, AZ91D, and specialty aerospace grades. Equipment is configured with flood coolant, sharp carbide tooling, and immediate chip management for safety. High cutting speeds and excellent surface finish are achieved. Tolerances held to ±0.02-0.05mm standard. We implement strict safety protocols including no accumulation of fines, covered chip containers, and dry powder fire extinguishers. ISO 9001:2015 certified.

Finishes

As-Machined

Standard finish for magnesium parts
Smooth, bright surface
Ra 1.6 – 3.2μm typical

Bead Blasting

Uniform matte texture
Used for surface preparation
Industrial appearance

Chemical Conversion

Chromate conversion (Alodine)
Corrosion protection
Standard finish for magnesium

Anodizing

Corrosion protection
Improved paint adhesion
Hardness improvement

Plating

Electroless Nickel: Wear and corrosion protection
Zinc Plating: Basic protection
Copper Plating: Electrical applications

Powder Coating

Durable decorative finish
Corrosion protection
Available in any color

Technical Specs

Magnesium Grade	Type	Tensile (MPa)	Yield (MPa)	Hardness	Key Properties	Common Uses
AZ31B	Wrought	260-300	160-200	55-65 HB	Excellent machinability, weldable	Formed parts, sheet, structural
AZ91D	Die Cast	230-250	160-180	75-85 HB	High strength, corrosion-resistant	Die-cast housings, automotive
WE43	Aerospace	250-280	180-210	70-80 HB	High temperature, creep-resistant	Aerospace, racing applications

Property	AZ31B	AZ91D
Density (g/cm³)	1.74	1.81
Modulus of Elasticity (GPa)	45	45
Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K)	140	120
Melting Point (°C)	650	595
Corrosion Resistance	Good	Good
Machinability Rating	Excellent	Excellent

Parameter	Capability
Max Part Size (Milling)	2,000mm x 800mm x 600mm
Max Part Size (Turning)	600mm diameter x 1,500mm length
Standard Tolerance	±0.02 – 0.05mm
Precision Tolerance	±0.01mm
Surface Finish (As-Machined)	Ra 1.6 – 3.2μm

FAQs

Why is magnesium used in CNC machining?

Magnesium is the lightest structural metal with excellent strength-to-weight ratio. It is used where weight reduction is critical—automotive, aerospace, and electronics. It machines exceptionally well with high cutting speeds and excellent surface finish.
What is the most machinable magnesium grade?

AZ31B is the most machinable magnesium alloy and is widely used for wrought products. AZ91D is the most common die-cast magnesium alloy.
What safety precautions are required for magnesium machining?

Magnesium chips are highly flammable and can ignite. Use flood coolant (no water-based with chips), sharp tooling, immediate chip evacuation, no accumulation of fines, covered chip containers, and Class D fire extinguishers. We implement all required safety protocols.
What are the common applications for magnesium?

Automotive instrument panels and seat frames, aerospace structural components, laptop frames, mobile device chassis, camera housings, and drone frames.
How does magnesium compare to aluminum?

Magnesium is 35% lighter than aluminum with comparable strength at reduced weight. It is less corrosion-resistant and more expensive but specified when maximum weight reduction is required.
Is magnesium corrosion-resistant?

Magnesium has good corrosion resistance but is less corrosion-resistant than aluminum. Chemical conversion coating or anodizing is applied for enhanced corrosion protection.