Magnesium CNC Machining

Magnesium CNC machining at DEK turns AZ31B, AZ61B and AZ91D into precision parts held to ±0.005 mm, from single prototypes to full production runs. Magnesium cuts fast and clean, but its chips are flammable, so every job runs under fire-safety controls.

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3
AZ Grades Machined
±0.005 mm
Tolerance Capability
No MOQ
Minimum Order Quantity

ISO 9001:2015 Certified AS9100D and ISO 13485 certified

Why Choose DEK for Magnesium CNC Machining

Magnesium is the lightest structural metal in production use. Its low cutting resistance gives fast cycle times and clean chip formation, which makes it a strong fit for weight-critical brackets and housings, provided chips and coolant are handled correctly.

DEK brings 20+ years in precision machining and 1.2M+ critical parts produced annually, with ISO 9001, AS9100D and ISO 13485 certifications obtained via TUV (see our quality system). We run no-MOQ prototype or production quantities, with prototype lead times as fast as 3 days.

98.6%+ on-time delivery, 2,300+ OEM clients
Tolerances to ±0.005 mm, ±0.01 mm on 5-axis
No MOQ for prototype or production runs
Traceability: IQC, IPQC, FAI, OQC, SPC, CAPA

Magnesium Alloys We Machine

Three AZ-series grades cover most needs, from weldable general-purpose stock to higher-strength and corrosion-resistant options.

AZ31B
General-purpose, weldable
The default choice for brackets and housings: weldable and general-purpose. Grade details on Magnesium AZ31B.
AZ61B
Added strength
Pick it when a part carries load: it adds strength over AZ31B for load-bearing parts. Grade details on Magnesium AZ61B.
AZ91D
Top corrosion resistance of the three
Choose it when corrosion resistance matters most; it offers the best of the three grades. Full data on Magnesium AZ91D.

CNC milling machine cutting magnesium alloy housing part

±0.005 mm
General tolerance
±0.01 mm
5-axis profile tolerance
±0.003 mm
Micro-precision, sub-10 mm
1000 mm
Max part envelope

AZ31B AZ61B AZ91D Machining Capabilities

Milling, turning and secondary processes for magnesium, held to ±0.005 mm, with Ra 0.8–3.2 µm as-machined and walls from 0.5 mm on 5-axis.

1

Multi-Axis Milling

5-axis milling alongside 3-axis and 4-axis CNC machining, reaching ±0.01 mm profile control and walls from 0.5 mm on complex geometry.
2

CNC Turning

CNC turning for round magnesium parts, with general tolerances to ±0.005 mm and Ra 0.8–3.2 µm surfaces as-machined.
3

Swiss Turning

Swiss turning for slender, high-precision profiles; micro-precision work reaches ±0.003 mm on sub-10 mm parts.
4

EDM Machining

EDM completes magnesium parts that need features beyond milling and turning, under the same fire-safe chip handling and QMS stages.

Magnesium Machining Safety Controls

How our shop controls chip ignition and hydrogen risk on every magnesium job, plus the quality stages behind it.

1

Dry or Mineral-Oil Mist Cutting

Magnesium is cut dry or with a light mineral-oil mist. Water-based coolant never contacts chips, which prevents hydrogen gas generation at the cut.
2

Continuous Chip Extraction

Vacuum extraction runs continuously during cutting so magnesium fines never accumulate at the tool, since chips and dust ignite easily.
3

Sharp Carbide Tooling

Sharp, high-relief-angle carbide tools limit frictional heat buildup, keeping the cut clean and cool on all three AZ grades.
4

Class D Extinguishers

Every magnesium-capable station keeps Class D extinguishers rated for combustible-metal fires, the correct class for burning magnesium chips.
5

Sealed Chip Storage

Chips go into dry, sealed containers stored separately from other scrap, so magnesium waste stays dry and isolated from other metals.
6

QMS Inspection Stages

IQC, IPQC, FAI, OQC, SPC and CAPA stages run under our ISO 9001, AS9100D and ISO 13485 QMS on every magnesium job.

Magnesium Grade Pages: AZ31B, AZ61B, AZ91D

Each grade below has its own page with designations and machining notes: AZ31B for general use, AZ61B for strength, AZ91D for corrosion resistance.

Magnesium vs Aluminum, Steel and Titanium

Magnesium wins on weight and vibration damping, but trails steel and titanium in absolute strength and needs a finish to match aluminum on corrosion.

Criteria	This MaterialMagnesium	Aluminum	Steel	Titanium
Weight	A third lighter	Heavier	–	–
Strength-to-weight	Comparable	Comparable	–	–
Absolute strength	Lower	–	Higher	Higher
Vibration damping	Better	Lower	–	–
Bare corrosion	Faster	Slower	–	–
Chips	Flammable	–	–	–

Where Magnesium Parts Are Used

Magnesium's low weight suits parts where every gram counts, from aerospace cabin parts to robotics housings and electronics enclosures.

CNC Machining + Finishing for Magnesium

Magnesium parts typically ship anodized, plated or powder coated after CNC machining, since bare surfaces corrode faster than aluminum.

Surface Treatments

Anodized
Plated
Powder Coated

Need a different finish? Ask our engineers to review it.

Magnesium CNC Machining Buying FAQs

Common questions from engineers sourcing machined magnesium parts.

Can you CNC machine magnesium?

Yes. Its low cutting resistance means fast cycle times and clean chip formation. Fire-safety protocols for chip handling and coolant choice are required, and DEK runs those as standard on every magnesium job.

Why use magnesium instead of aluminum?

Magnesium runs about a third lighter than aluminum at comparable strength-to-weight ratios, with better vibration damping. That makes it useful for weight-critical brackets and housings.

What are the disadvantages of magnesium alloy?

Its chips are flammable, its absolute strength trails steel and titanium, and unprotected surfaces corrode faster than aluminum. Anodizing or plating resolves the corrosion issue.

Do you dry-machine or use coolant on magnesium?

Magnesium is best cut dry or with a light mineral-oil mist. Water-based coolant is avoided because contact with hot chips can generate flammable hydrogen gas. Compressed air or argon handles cooling without that risk.