Aluminum 238.0
AA 238.0
238.0 is an as-cast (F temper) Al-Cu-Si permanent-mold alloy in the ANSI/AA 2xx.x family, where roughly 10% copper provides strength without heat treatment.
Reference datasheet — 238.0 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the F condition
238.0 tempers and conditions
238.0 is supplied in one standard condition, F. F is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
What is 238.0?
238.0 is an as-cast (F temper) Al-Cu-Si permanent-mold alloy in the ANSI/AA 2xx.x family, where roughly 10% copper provides strength without heat treatment. It was used historically for cookware and general hardware castings and delivers 165 MPa yield, 207 MPa tensile and 100 HB straight from the mold, with a maximum service temperature of 200 °C and 100 W/m·K thermal conductivity. Ductility is low at 1.5% elongation, fusion weldability is poor and corrosion resistance is limited (score 32), so parts are normally painted or conversion coated. For a heat-treatable gravity die casting with more ductility, 296.0 is the closer alternative. 238.0 has a density of 2.95 g/cm³ (0.107 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of aluminum grades. It melts at 510°C (950 °F). 238.0 has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 207 MPa (30 ksi) — weaker than 58% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
What is 238.0 used for?
- Cast cookware bodies
- General hardware castings
- Gravity die-cast brackets and covers
- Machine bases and frames
- Bearing caps and end covers
- Ornamental and utility fittings
Advantages
- High service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 32/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 100 W/m·K (57.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 25 % IACS, worse than 92% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 1.5%, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
238.0 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 238.0-F; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
238.0 has a density of 2.95 g/cm³ (0.107 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of aluminum grades. It melts at 510°C (950 °F).
Mechanical10
238.0 has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 207 MPa (30 ksi) — weaker than 58% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
238.0 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 100 W/m·K (57.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.4 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
238.0 conducts electricity at 25 % IACS, worse than 92% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (32/100), worse than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 238.0 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 80%.
Manufacturability8
238.0's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (22/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the aluminum family
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade FabDigit runs. 238.0 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 238.0
Is 238.0 easy to machine?
Machines freely with short chips; use sharp carbide tooling and moderate speeds — the hard Cu/Si phases give good surface finish but abrade HSS.
Can 238.0 be welded?
Poor fusion weldability (hot cracking from ~10% Cu); repair by brazing/welding is generally not recommended, use mechanical fastening.
Can 238.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Permanent-mold (gravity die) casting alloy; good mold filling and hot strength, but no cold forming and heavy sections need chill/riser control to avoid shrinkage porosity.
238.0 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Si | 3.5 – 4.5 | 4 |
| Cu | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Mg | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Fe | ≤ 1.5 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.6 | |
| Ni | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Zn | ≤ 1.5 | |
| Sn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Others (total)others total, AA limits | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 238.0?
Best painted, powder coated or chemically conversion coated; anodizing gives dark non-uniform films and Cu content limits plating adhesion without a copper strike.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on aluminum parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
How much does 238.0 cost?
238.0 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
238.0 — frequently asked
What is 238.0 used for?
238.0 is typically used for cast cookware bodies, general hardware castings, gravity die-cast brackets and covers, machine bases and frames, bearing caps and end covers and ornamental and utility fittings. In short: as-cast strength, no heat treat; high-copper permanent-mold alloy; low ductility, low cost.
What is the yield strength of 238.0?
238.0 has a typical yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 207 MPa (30 ksi) — weaker than 58% of aluminum grades.
Is 238.0 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades). Machines freely with short chips; use sharp carbide tooling and moderate speeds — the hard Cu/Si phases give good surface finish but abrade HSS.
Can 238.0 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (22/100). Poor fusion weldability (hot cracking from ~10% Cu); repair by brazing/welding is generally not recommended, use mechanical fastening.
What surface finishes work on 238.0?
Best painted, powder coated or chemically conversion coated; anodizing gives dark non-uniform films and Cu content limits plating adhesion without a copper strike.
Can 238.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Permanent-mold (gravity die) casting alloy; good mold filling and hot strength, but no cold forming and heavy sections need chill/riser control to avoid shrinkage porosity.
What is the maximum service temperature of 238.0?
238.0 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 238.0 cost?
238.0 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Ingot (Teal Sheets) — Aluminum Association (2015)
- ASTM B108 — Aluminum-Alloy Permanent Mold Castings — ASTM (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys — ASM International (1993)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.