Aluminum 333.0-T6
Temper
AA 333.0 · UNS A03330 · BS LM24 · also SC94A
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Highest strength and hardness of the grade — choose for load-bearing and wear-critical automotive castings.
Values for the T6 condition
Other 333.0 tempers and conditions
333.0 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at 333.0.
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 |
T6This page 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-T6?
333.0-T6 is 333.0 in the T6 temper — highest strength and hardness of the grade — choose for load-bearing and wear-critical automotive castings. 333.0-T6 has a yield strength of 207 MPa (30 ksi) and a tensile strength of 289 MPa (41.9 ksi) — stronger than 55% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi). 333.0-T6 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). F is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T6 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 100 W/m·K (57.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 1.5%, worse than 91% 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
333.0-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 333.0-T6; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 333.0 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
333.0-T6 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-T6 has a yield strength of 207 MPa (30 ksi) and a tensile strength of 289 MPa (41.9 ksi) — stronger than 55% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
333.0-T6 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-T6 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, worse than 90% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 333.0-T6 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-T6's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 333.0-T6
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.
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.
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 | — |
333.0-T6 — frequently asked
What is 333.0-T6 used for?
333.0-T6 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-T6?
333.0-T6 has a typical yield strength of 207 MPa (30 ksi) and a tensile strength of 289 MPa (41.9 ksi) — stronger than 55% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 333.0-T6 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 86% 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-T6 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-T6?
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-T6 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-T6?
333.0-T6 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.