Aluminum 332.0
AA 332.0 · UNS A03320 · BS LM26 · also SC103A
332.0 (UNS A03320, SC103A) is a low-expansion Al-Si-Cu-Ni-Mg piston alloy available as-cast (F) and in T5, T6 and T7 tempers.
Reference datasheet — 332.0 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 T5 condition
332.0 tempers and conditions
332.0 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. T5 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Cheapest condition for low-stress parts where dimensional stability at temperature is not critical. | 140 | 214 | 1.5 | 90 HB | 28 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Use where long-term dimensional stability and toughness at elevated temperature matter more than peak strength. | 170 | 225 | 1.5 | 95 HB | 29 % IACS |
T5Default Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Standard commercial condition for pistons: good hot strength and dimensional stability with minimum distortion risk (no quench). | 193 | 248 | 1 | 105 HB | 26 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Choose when maximum room-temperature strength and hardness are needed and quench distortion can be tolerated. | 240 | 285 | 0.8 | 125 HB | 25 % IACS |
What is 332.0?
332.0 (UNS A03320, SC103A) is a low-expansion Al-Si-Cu-Ni-Mg piston alloy available as-cast (F) and in T5, T6 and T7 tempers. It is chosen for internal combustion engine pistons and other hot engine hardware because the high-silicon, nickel-bearing structure holds 193 MPa yield and 248 MPa tensile at 105 HB with service to 250 °C and good wear resistance. Trade-offs are 1% elongation, reduced thermal conductivity of 104 W/m·K, 26% IACS, a machinability rating of 55 and poor fusion weldability; 336.0 is the higher-silicon alternative for more demanding piston duty. 332.0 has a density of 2.76 g/cm³ (0.0997 lb/in³), heavier than 70% of aluminum grades. It melts at 521°C (970 °F). 332.0 has a yield strength of 193 MPa (28 ksi) and a tensile strength of 248 MPa (36 ksi) — weaker than 51% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 76 GPa (11 Msi).
What is 332.0 used for?
- Automotive pistons
- Engine components running hot
- Compressor pistons
- Cylinder heads and covers
- Pulleys and drive components
- Wear-resistant gravity die castings
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 100% of aluminum grades
- High service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), better than 97% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 95% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Low fracture toughness — 15 MPa·√m (13.7 ksi·√in), worse than 93% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 104 W/m·K (60.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 92% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
332.0 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 332.0-T5; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
332.0 has a density of 2.76 g/cm³ (0.0997 lb/in³), heavier than 70% of aluminum grades. It melts at 521°C (970 °F).
Mechanical12
332.0 has a yield strength of 193 MPa (28 ksi) and a tensile strength of 248 MPa (36 ksi) — weaker than 51% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 76 GPa (11 Msi).
Thermal6
332.0 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 104 W/m·K (60.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 92% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 20.6 µm/m·K (11.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
332.0 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, worse than 90% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 85% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 332.0 takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 100% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability7
332.0's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); 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. 332.0 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 332.0
Is 332.0 easy to machine?
Machinable but abrasive — use PCD or polished carbide, high speed with light feeds and flood coolant; expect short tool life on primary Si.
Can 332.0 be welded?
Poor fusion weldability (Cu+Mg hot cracking); repair only with 4145/4047 filler and preheat, or use mechanical joining.
Can 332.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Permanent-mold (gravity die) casting alloy with good fluidity and low hot-tear tendency; not cold-formable, and holding Mg requires tight melt control.
332.0 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 Si + eutectic gives wear resistance and low CTE | 8.5 – 10.5 | 9.5 |
| Cu | 2 – 4 | 3 |
| Mg | 0.5 – 1.5 | 1 |
| Niimproves hot strength; LM26 allows up to ~1.0 | ≤ 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Fe | ≤ 1.2 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Zn | ≤ 1 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 332.0?
Chromate or phosphate conversion coats and hard anodize for wear surfaces; decorative anodizing looks dark and mottled, so paint or plate for appearance.
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
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 332.0 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A03320
- BS
- LM26
- Trade names
- SC103A
How much does 332.0 cost?
332.0 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.
332.0 — frequently asked
What is 332.0 used for?
332.0 is typically used for automotive pistons, engine components running hot, compressor pistons, cylinder heads and covers, pulleys and drive components and wear-resistant gravity die castings. In short: low-expansion piston alloy; 250 °C service capability; high hardness, wear resistant.
What is the yield strength of 332.0?
332.0 has a typical yield strength of 193 MPa (28 ksi) and a tensile strength of 248 MPa (36 ksi) — weaker than 51% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 332.0 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades). Machinable but abrasive — use PCD or polished carbide, high speed with light feeds and flood coolant; expect short tool life on primary Si.
Can 332.0 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Poor fusion weldability (Cu+Mg hot cracking); repair only with 4145/4047 filler and preheat, or use mechanical joining.
What surface finishes work on 332.0?
Chromate or phosphate conversion coats and hard anodize for wear surfaces; decorative anodizing looks dark and mottled, so paint or plate for appearance.
Can 332.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Permanent-mold (gravity die) casting alloy with good fluidity and low hot-tear tendency; not cold-formable, and holding Mg requires tight melt control.
What is the maximum service temperature of 332.0?
332.0 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 332.0-T5 and 332.0-F?
T5 is the default condition — standard commercial condition for pistons: good hot strength and dimensional stability with minimum distortion risk (no quench). F: cheapest condition for low-stress parts where dimensional stability at temperature is not critical. Yield strength is 193 MPa in T5 versus 140 MPa in F.
How much does 332.0 cost?
332.0 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) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B108 / B26 — Aluminum-Alloy Permanent Mold and Sand Castings — ASTM International (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys — ASM International (1993)
- BS 1490 LM26 (Al-Si9Cu3Mg1Ni) casting alloy — BSI (1988)
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.