Aluminum 324.0-F (As fabricated)
Temper
AA 324.0
Lowest-cost condition for non-critical castings where dimensional stability and moderate strength suffice.
Values for the F condition
Other 324.0 tempers and conditions
324.0 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at 324.0.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FThis page As fabricated | Lowest-cost condition for non-critical castings where dimensional stability and moderate strength suffice. | 110 | 207 | 4 | 70 HB | 34 % IACS |
T5Default Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Standard wheel/structural condition: aging only, so distortion and quench cracking are avoided while strength rises well above F. | 193 | 248 | 3 | 90 HB | 36 % IACS |
T6, heat treated by the user | Pick when maximum yield strength and hardness are required and the part tolerates quench distortion and the extra heat-treat cost. | 248 | 296 | 3 | 105 HB | 38 % IACS |
What is 324.0-F?
324.0-F is 324.0 in the F temper — lowest-cost condition for non-critical castings where dimensional stability and moderate strength suffice. 324.0-F has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 207 MPa (30 ksi) — weaker than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi). 324.0-F has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 549°C (1,020 °F). T5 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; F is available on request or by drawing note.
Limitations
- Low strength — 110 MPa (16 ksi), worse than 81% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
324.0-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for 324.0-F; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 324.0 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
324.0-F has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 549°C (1,020 °F).
Mechanical12
324.0-F has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 207 MPa (30 ksi) — weaker than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
324.0-F is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 147 W/m·K (84.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 55% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.5 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
324.0-F conducts electricity at 34 % IACS, worse than 52% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 62% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 324.0-F takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability7
324.0-F's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 324.0-F
Is 324.0 easy to machine?
Machines cleanly with PCD or polished-flute carbide tooling and flood coolant; abrasive eutectic Si wears HSS quickly — T5/T62 gives better chip break than F.
Can 324.0 be welded?
TIG/MIG repairable with 4043/4145 filler but the Cu+Mg content makes it hot-crack sensitive; preheat 150–200 °C and re-age locally after repair.
Can 324.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Permanent-mold (gravity/low-pressure) alloy — good fluidity and feeding at 700–730 °C, degas and Sr/Na modify the eutectic, grain refine with Al-Ti-B; not a wrought/formable alloy.
What surface finishes work on 324.0?
Chromate or phosphate conversion coat plus powder/liquid paint is the normal route; hard anodizing works but appears dark grey; mirror polishing limited by Si particles.
324.0 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Siprimary fluidity/strength former | 7 – 8 | 7.5 |
| Femax; permanent-mold tolerance, forms needle Al-Fe-Si | ≤ 1.2 | 0.6 |
| Cuage-hardening addition | 0.4 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Mnmax; modifies Fe phases | ≤ 0.5 | 0.25 |
| MgMg2Si precipitation | 0.4 – 0.7 | 0.55 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Ni | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 1 | — |
| Timax; grain refinement | ≤ 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
324.0-F — frequently asked
What is 324.0-F used for?
324.0-F is typically used for cast automotive wheels, structural automotive castings, suspension knuckles and control-arm castings, chassis brackets, motorcycle and truck wheel rims and cast pedal and linkage bodies. In short: purpose-built wheel alloy; heat-treatable Al-Si-Cu-Mg casting; strength with good castability.
What is the yield strength of 324.0-F?
324.0-F has a typical yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 207 MPa (30 ksi) — weaker than 81% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is 324.0-F easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades). Machines cleanly with PCD or polished-flute carbide tooling and flood coolant; abrasive eutectic Si wears HSS quickly — T5/T62 gives better chip break than F.
Can 324.0-F be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). TIG/MIG repairable with 4043/4145 filler but the Cu+Mg content makes it hot-crack sensitive; preheat 150–200 °C and re-age locally after repair.
What surface finishes work on 324.0-F?
Chromate or phosphate conversion coat plus powder/liquid paint is the normal route; hard anodizing works but appears dark grey; mirror polishing limited by Si particles.
Can 324.0-F be formed, bent or molded?
Permanent-mold (gravity/low-pressure) alloy — good fluidity and feeding at 700–730 °C, degas and Sr/Na modify the eutectic, grain refine with Al-Ti-B; not a wrought/formable alloy.
What is the maximum service temperature of 324.0-F?
324.0-F is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 324.0-T5 and 324.0-F?
T5 is the default condition — standard wheel/structural condition: aging only, so distortion and quench cracking are avoided while strength rises well above F. F: lowest-cost condition for non-critical castings where dimensional stability and moderate strength suffice. Yield strength is 193 MPa in T5 versus 110 MPa in F.
Sources
- Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Ingot (Pink Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B108 / B108M — Aluminum-Alloy Permanent Mold Castings — ASTM International (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.