Magnesium CNC Machining

Magnesium is increasingly popular for CNC machining becaust it is lightweight and highly machinable in terms of feed rates. Machined magnesium also produces excellent surface finishes due to shorter chips being produced during the machining process. WSF offers multiple Magnesium alloys: AZ31-TP, AZ61B, AZ91D and AZ31B. Each has slightly different properties, but AZ31B is the most commonly used in CNC machining.

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Basic Characteristics Of Magnesium

Features Description
Lightweight Its density is only approximately 1.74 g/cm³, about two-thirds that of aluminum and one-quarter that of steel. It is the lightest structural metal currently available.
Good strength/rigidity Despite its lightness, it boasts high strength and an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.
Good heat dissipation It has excellent thermal conductivity and heat dissipation, making it commonly used in electronic product housings, heat sinks, and other applications.
Good electromagnetic shielding Compared to plastic housings, magnesium alloys effectively shield electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Good shock absorption It has strong vibration absorption, making it suitable for components requiring shock and vibration reduction.
Susceptible to oxidation and corrosion The surface is easily oxidized, so surface treatment (such as anodizing, micro-arc oxidation, nickel plating, and painting) is often required.
High flammability Magnesium powder and shavings are easily flammable, posing a significant safety hazard during processing.
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Main application areas of magnesium CNC machining parts

We manufacture Magnesium CNC Machining parts, which are widely used in the fields of Aerospace、Robotics、Automotive Industry、Consumer Electronics、Medical Equipment、Industrial Equipment / Instruments、Telecommunication、Defense & Military and Sports & Lifestyle.

Aerospace

Common Application Parts:Instrument housings, navigation system brackets, drone frames, satellite components

Advantages:Ultra-lightweight, significant weight reduction, strong shock resistance, and excellent heat dissipation

Processing Features:High-speed milling, thin-walled parts, complex cavity machining

Automotive Industry

Common Application Parts:Dashboard frames, steering wheel brackets, transmission housings, motor control housings, battery housings

Advantages:Weight reduction and energy saving, improved power performance, and excellent thermal conductivity

Processing Features:Large-size housing milling, threaded hole inserts, high-flatness assembly surfaces

Consumer Electronics

Common Application Parts:Laptop housings, mobile phone midframes, camera housings, gimbal brackets, projector housings

Advantages:Sleek appearance, lightweight and durable, and excellent EMI shielding

Processing Features:Precision exterior machining, anodizing/painting surface treatment

Medical Equipment

Common Application Parts:Medical instrument housings, surgical robot brackets, rehabilitation devices, absorbable magnesium screws

Advantages:Non-toxic, lightweight, and highly biocompatible

Processing Features:Precision CNC + passivation/plating surface treatment

Robotics

Common Application Parts:Robot arm joints, housing structures, servo motor housings, sensor brackets, end effector frames

Advantages:Lightweight reduces inertia, improves response speed, and provides excellent heat dissipation and vibration resistance

Processing Features:Multi-axis CNC machining, high-precision fit, thin-walled parts and cavity components

Industrial Equipment / Instruments

Common Application Parts:Optical lens frames, laser housings, measuring instrument brackets

Advantages:High stability, vibration resistance, and high dimensional accuracy

Processing Features:Precision tolerance ±0.01mm, mirror finish

Defense & Military

Common Application Parts:Sighting system housings, communication equipment housings, UAV components

Advantages:High strength, shock resistance, and lightweight portability

Processing Features:Reinforcement rib machining, precise assembly tolerances

Sports & Lifestyle

Common Application Parts:Bicycle cranks, camera gimbal arms, fishing reels, glider accessories

Advantages:High strength, lightweight, fatigue resistance, and attractive appearance

Processing Features:Small-batch precision CNC, anodizing surface treatment

Latest Cases

Processing and customizing Magnesium of various sizes, Material including AZ31-TP, AZ61B, AZ91D and AZ31B, etc. We manufacture Magnesium CNC Machining parts, which are widely used in the fields of Aerospace、Robotics、Automotive Industry、Consumer Electronics、Medical Equipment、Industrial Equipment / Instruments、Telecommunication、Defense & Military and Sports & Lifestyle.

Magnesium Finish

Magnesium alloys offer exceptional lightness and mechanical strength, but their surfaces are highly reactive and prone to oxidation and corrosion.
To enhance corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and aesthetics, a variety of surface treatments are applied.
Below is an overview of the most common surface treatment processes and corresponding reference brands.

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Micro Arc Oxidation (MAO / PEO)

Function: Exceptional corrosion, wear, and electrical insulation properties
Typical Thickness: 10–50 μm
Characteristics: Ceramic-like surface layer with high hardness, available in white-gray or black finish.
Brands: Keronite / Tagnite / Magoxid-Coat
Suitable Alloys: AZ31, AZ91, AM60

Ceramic Coating

Function: High-temperature and corrosion resistance
Typical Thickness: 10–40 μm
Characteristics: Dense, hard surface layer, widely used in aerospace and structural components.
Brands: Magoxid-Coat / Ceramic Pro
Suitable Alloys: AZ31, AZ91

Wet Painting

Function: Corrosion protection and decorative finish
Typical Thickness: 20–80 μm
Characteristics: Suitable for complex geometries, cost-effective, flexible color options.
Brands: PPG / Axalta / Sherwin-Williams
Suitable Alloys: AZ31, AZ91, AM60

Powder Coating

Function: Corrosion protection and decorative appearance
Typical Thickness: 50–120 μm
Characteristics: Wide range of colors, high durability, suitable for exterior and visual parts.
Brands: AkzoNobel / PPG / Tiger Drylac
Suitable Alloys: AZ31, AZ91

Chemical Conversion Coating

Function: Corrosion and rust protection
Typical Thickness: 2–5 μm
Characteristics:
Traditional chromate or non-chromate coatings, cost-effective, suitable for general corrosion protection.
Brands / Standards: Henkel Alodine 5200 / SurTec 650 / MIL-DTL-5541
Suitable Alloys: AZ31, AZ91

Anodizing Type II

Function: Corrosion protection and decorative finish
Typical Thickness: 5–25 μm
Characteristics: Transparent or light gray coating, can be dyed in various colors, strong adhesion.
Standard: MIL-A-8625 Type II
Suitable Alloys: AZ31, AZ91, AM60

Hard Anodizing Type III

Function: High wear and corrosion resistance
Typical Thickness: 25–60 μm
Characteristics: Hard, dense coating with a dark gray to black appearance, ideal for mechanical components.
Standard: MIL-A-8625 Type III
Suitable Alloys: AZ31, AZ91

Electroless Nickel Plating(ENP)

Function: Corrosion, conductivity, and wear resistance
Typical Thickness: 5–15 μm
Characteristics: Uniform thickness, suitable for precision parts and threaded areas.
Brands / Standards: MacDermid / Atotech / MIL-C-26074
Suitable Alloys: AZ31, AZ91, AM60

Why Choose WSF for Magnesium CNC Machining parts?

Choose WSF to help you with your CNC Machining needs, we use state-of-the-art machinery and have over 15+ years experience working in the precision engineering industry. We are capable of working on a full range of projects from small to large. Our CNC Machining Systems are rapid and efficient. For more information on our CNC Machining Services or any of our Precision Engineering Services such as CNC Turning or CNC Milling, please contact us.