How to Write a Magnesium Alloy RFQ: Drawings, Alloy Grades, Tolerances & Inspection Document Checklist

An RFQ stating only “AZ31B magnesium plate—quote lowest price” rarely yields comparable bids. Suppliers may quote based on differing conditions, tolerances, inspection protocols, packaging, and documentation—leading to seemingly low-cost proposals that incur hidden costs during prototyping or final acceptance. An effective RFQ aligns technical, quality, delivery, and commercial boundaries before quotation.

8 Critical Questions the RFQ Cover Page Must Answer

1. What is being purchased? Plate, bar, extruded profile, forging, casting, or machined part;
2. Which standards apply? Material standard, product standard, customer specifications—and their revision levels;
3. What delivery condition is required? Alloy grade, temper, dimensions, surface finish, and downstream processing;
4. What quantities are needed? Prototypes, first batch, monthly forecast, and annual volume;
5. What are the delivery timelines? Quotation deadline, prototype delivery, first-article approval, and mass production start;
6. How will acceptance be performed? Key dimensions, performance criteria, sampling plans, and acceptance/rejection rules;
7. Which documents must accompany delivery? Mill test reports (MTR), dimensional inspection reports, process records, or test certificates;
8. How are changes managed? Approval process for material, process, sub-tier supplier, or manufacturing location changes.

Drawings and 3D Models Must Be Consistent

The RFQ must specify drawing number, revision level, and release date—and explicitly state whether 2D drawings or 3D models take precedence in case of conflict. Critical dimensions, datums, general tolerances, surface roughness, and special characteristics must be clearly defined in the 2D drawing; the 3D model supports geometric and manufacturability analysis.

Avoid marking every dimension as critical. Functional grading helps suppliers design appropriate processes and inspection plans—and makes quotations more transparent.

Material Requirements Extend Beyond Alloy Grade

A complete specification typically includes:

• Applicable standard and revision;
• Alloy grade and delivery temper;
• Product form and dimensional range;
• Sampling direction and key mechanical/physical properties;
• Boundaries for permissible alternatives;
• Batch/heat traceability requirements;
• Restricted substances or compliance mandates (e.g., RoHS, REACH);
• Origin-of-material or supply-chain constraints (if applicable).

If the project is still in concept phase, alternative proposals may be permitted—but suppliers must detail each deviation; equivalence must not be assumed.

Process & Surface Requirements Must Be Explicitly Defined

Specify whether the supplier delivers raw material, saw-cut blanks, pre-machined parts, or finished components. Responsibility for machining allowances, heat treatment, cleaning, conversion coating, primer, painting, protective film, and part marking must be assigned unambiguously. In multi-tier supply chains, clarify who bears responsibility for final surface compatibility.

Inspection Documentation Should Be Risk-Based

For routine lots, request mill test reports (MTR), visual inspection, and dimensional spot checks. For high-risk or first-article submissions, add:

• Full-dimensional first-article inspection report;
• Raw material or heat treatment process records;
• Chemical composition and mechanical property test reports;
• Coating thickness, adhesion, or corrosion resistance test data;
• Non-destructive testing (NDT) or destructive cross-section analysis;
• Measurement system analysis (MSA) and gauge calibration records;
• Process flow diagrams, control plans, or failure mode analysis (FMEA);
• Records of non-conformance and deviation approvals.

More documents do not guarantee better quality. Each document must address a specific risk and include clear pass/fail criteria.

Break Down the Quotation Comparison Table

At minimum, separate line items for: material unit price, minimum order quantity (MOQ), tooling/mold cost, sample fee, inspection fee, packaging, freight, taxes, payment terms, mold life expectancy, and lead time. For extrusion or casting projects, also clarify responsibilities for mold repair, backup molds, mold ownership, and post-discontinuation storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we issue an RFQ before final drawings are approved?

Yes—budgetary quotations are acceptable, but assumptions, unfinalized items, and quotation validity boundaries must be explicitly stated to prevent budget quotes from being misinterpreted as firm production commitments.

Does a more detailed mill test report (MTR) guarantee higher reliability?

An MTR is only valuable if it is fully traceable to the physical lot and its verification method matches your acceptance criteria. Volume of data without traceability or alignment adds no value.

Should packaging be specified in the RFQ?

Yes. Magnesium alloy surfaces and edges are susceptible to damage during transit, condensation, or contact with dissimilar materials—packaging directly impacts incoming quality.

You can first review our Product Portfolio to confirm product form, then submit drawings, quantities, and acceptance requirements via Contact Us to receive precise, comparable, and actionable quotations.