About a third lighter - roughly 1.74 against 2.70 grams per cubic centimetre - and around a quarter the density of steel. On a stiffness-per-weight basis for a part in bending the advantage is larger still, because the section can be made thicker for the same mass, which is why housings and brackets are the classic applications.

It requires specific precautions rather than being prohibitively hazardous. Bulk stock is hard to ignite, but fine turnings and dust burn intensely and cannot be put out with water, carbon dioxide or standard foam. Use sharp tools and feeds that generate chips rather than powder, keep swarf collected and dry, and keep a class D extinguisher at the machine.

It sits at the active end of the galvanic series, so it gives up electrons preferentially to almost every other engineering metal. In a salt-laden or humid environment, and especially in direct contact with steel or aluminium fasteners, it corrodes sacrificially. Conversion coatings, paint systems and isolating washers at joints are standard rather than optional.

AZ31B is the usual wrought sheet, plate and extrusion alloy, with good formability and weldability. AZ61 and AZ80 offer higher strength in extruded form, and ZK60 higher still where strength governs. Cast alloys such as AZ91 are a separate family. Specify by alloy rather than by metal, as properties vary considerably.

TIG and MIG under argon or helium are both used, and AZ31B in particular welds well. Cleanliness matters more than with aluminium because oxide and residual machining lubricant cause porosity, and the low melting point and high thermal expansion make distortion control an active part of the procedure.

Suppressing vibration and noise in housings and structures - it absorbs many times more vibrational energy than aluminium. Power tool bodies, instrument and optical housings, machine covers and audio equipment chassis all exploit it, sometimes as the primary reason for choosing the metal rather than as a bonus alongside low weight.

Conventional wrought alloys lose strength noticeably above roughly 120 to 150 degrees Celsius and creep becomes a concern, so they are not suited to sustained hot service. Specialist rare-earth-containing alloys extend that range for elevated-temperature applications, at considerably higher cost and with limited stock availability.