Aluminum 333.0
AA 333.0 · UNS A03330 · BS LM24 · also SC94A
333.0 (UNS A03330, SC94A) is an Al-Si-Cu permanent-mold casting alloy supplied as-cast (F) or in T5, T6 and T7, and is the general-duty member of the copper-bearing die-casting group.
Reference datasheet — 333.0 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
333.0 tempers and conditions
333.0 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. F 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDefault As fabricated | Lowest cost condition — pick when moderate strength and best as-cast dimensional stability at low temperature service are enough. | 131 | 234 | 2 | 90 HB | 26 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Cheap strength/hardness boost and dimensional stabilizing without solution treatment distortion — good for machined housings. | 172 | 234 | 1 | 100 HB | 29 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Slightly lower strength than T6 but best dimensional stability and retained properties at elevated temperature. | 193 | 255 | 2 | 90 HB | 29 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Highest strength and hardness of the grade — choose for load-bearing and wear-critical automotive castings. | 207 | 289 | 1.5 | 105 HB | 26 % IACS |
What is 333.0?
333.0 (UNS A03330, SC94A) is an Al-Si-Cu permanent-mold casting alloy supplied as-cast (F) or in T5, T6 and T7, and is the general-duty member of the copper-bearing die-casting group. It balances 131 MPa yield, 234 MPa tensile, 2% elongation and 90 HB with pressure tightness and a machinability rating of 65, which suits gear housings, brackets and pump bodies. Limits are 150 °C maximum service, 100 W/m·K conductivity, a corrosion resistance score of 42 and poor fusion weldability; 356.0 is the alternative where welding or corrosion exposure controls. 333.0 has a density of 2.77 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), heavier than 71% of aluminum grades. It melts at 521°C (970 °F). 333.0 has a yield strength of 131 MPa (19 ksi) and a tensile strength of 234 MPa (33.9 ksi) — weaker than 72% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
What is 333.0 used for?
- gear housings
- engine brackets
- pump bodies
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 100 W/m·K (57.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 26 % IACS, worse than 90% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 87% of aluminum grades
333.0 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 333.0-F; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
333.0 has a density of 2.77 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), heavier than 71% of aluminum grades. It melts at 521°C (970 °F).
Mechanical13
333.0 has a yield strength of 131 MPa (19 ksi) and a tensile strength of 234 MPa (33.9 ksi) — weaker than 72% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
333.0 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 100 W/m·K (57.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 20.5 µm/m·K (11.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
333.0 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, worse than 90% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (42/100), worse than 69% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 333.0 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability8
333.0's machinability is good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
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. 333.0 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 333.0
Is 333.0 easy to machine?
Machines well with sharp PCD or carbide tooling and flood coolant; eutectic/primary Si is abrasive, so use PCD for volume work.
Can 333.0 be welded?
Poor fusion weldability — high Cu makes it hot-crack prone; repair with 4145/4047 filler and preheat, or use mechanical fastening.
Can 333.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Permanent-mold (gravity die) casting alloy with excellent fluidity and pressure tightness; not cold-formable, avoid thin unfed sections.
333.0 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 | 8 – 10 | 9 |
| Cu | 3 – 4 | 3.5 |
| Mgprovides response to T5/T6 aging | 0.05 – 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Fe | ≤ 1 | 0.7 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Zn | ≤ 1 | 0.3 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.35 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 333.0?
Anodizing gives only a dark grey cosmetic film; prefer chromate/phosphate conversion coating plus paint or powder coat, or hard anodize for wear.
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 333.0 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A03330
- BS
- LM24
- Trade names
- SC94A
How much does 333.0 cost?
333.0 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.
333.0 — frequently asked
What is 333.0 used for?
333.0 is typically used for gear housings, engine brackets and pump bodies. In short: versatile Al-Si-Cu die alloy; good machinability and pressure tightness; balanced strength and wear.
What is the yield strength of 333.0?
333.0 has a typical yield strength of 131 MPa (19 ksi) and a tensile strength of 234 MPa (33.9 ksi) — weaker than 72% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 333.0 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades). Machines well with sharp PCD or carbide tooling and flood coolant; eutectic/primary Si is abrasive, so use PCD for volume work.
Can 333.0 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Poor fusion weldability — high Cu makes it hot-crack prone; repair with 4145/4047 filler and preheat, or use mechanical fastening.
What surface finishes work on 333.0?
Anodizing gives only a dark grey cosmetic film; prefer chromate/phosphate conversion coating plus paint or powder coat, or hard anodize for wear.
Can 333.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Permanent-mold (gravity die) casting alloy with excellent fluidity and pressure tightness; not cold-formable, avoid thin unfed sections.
What is the maximum service temperature of 333.0?
333.0 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 333.0-F and 333.0-T6?
F is the default condition — lowest cost condition — pick when moderate strength and best as-cast dimensional stability at low temperature service are enough. T6: highest strength and hardness of the grade — choose for load-bearing and wear-critical automotive castings. Yield strength is 131 MPa in F versus 207 MPa in T6.
How much does 333.0 cost?
333.0 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
- ANSI H35.1 / Registration Record of Aluminum Association Alloy Designations (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2015)
- ASTM B108 — 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)
- BS 1490 LM24 (comparable Al-Si8Cu3Fe 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.