Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Sources9 documents: Magnesium Elektron, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Defense, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USDA Forest Products Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology
Concrete
Normal-weight portland cement concrete, strength class f'c = 4000 psi (28 MPa) per NRMCA CIP 35; density NRMCA CIP 36; thermal conductivity USDA FPL Wood Handbook; service temperature ORNL/NRC review
MIL-HDBK-5J, Metallic Materials and Elements for Aerospace Vehicle Structures (2003)U.S. Department of DefenseMagnesium AZ31B-H24 · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical (handbook physical constant)Magnesium AZ31B-H24 · Density: nominalMagnesium AZ31B-H24 · Poisson's ratio: typical (handbook physical constant)Magnesium AZ31B-H24 · Max service temperature: stated application limit
5
CIP 36: Structural Lightweight ConcreteNational Ready Mixed Concrete Associationarchived copyConcrete · Density: range for normalweight concrete
6
The Effect of Elevated Temperature on Concrete Materials and Structures: A Literature Review (ORNL/TM-2005/553)Oak Ridge National Laboratoryarchived copyConcrete · Poisson's ratio: general range at normal ambient conditions (overall 0.11-0.32)Concrete · Max service temperature: code long-term temperature limit (ASME Code, concrete containments)
Thermal Coefficient of Portland Cement ConcreteFederal Highway AdministrationConcrete · Thermal expansion: typical range for portland cement concrete (aggregate dependent)
9
Best Practice Guidelines for Structural Fire Resistance Design of Concrete and Steel Buildings (TN 1681)National Institute of Standards and Technologyarchived copyConcrete · Specific heat: typical (NIST guidance for thermal analysis)
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Mechanical
Which is lighter, Concrete or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter: 1,769 kg/m³ against 2,320 kg/m³ for Concrete.
Which is stiffer, Concrete or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is stiffer: Young's modulus 44.8 GPa against 25.1 GPa for Concrete, so the same part in Magnesium AZ31B-H24 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Concrete or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
For the same stiffness or strength: Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate.
Part that must be
Concrete
Magnesium AZ31B-H24
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
2.34x heavier
lighter
Stiff beam (bending)
1.75x heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
1.59x heavier
lighter
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Thermal
Which handles higher temperatures, Concrete or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 does: 149 °C against 65 °C for Concrete.
Which conducts heat better, Concrete or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 conducts heat better: 76.9 W/m·K against 0.9 W/m·K for Concrete.
Which expands less with temperature?
Concrete expands less: 10 µm/m·K against 26.8 µm/m·K for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.