Aluminum 336.0
AA 336.0 · UNS A03360 · BS LM13 · also SN122A
336.0 (UNS A03360, SN122A) is a high-silicon, low-expansion Al-Si-Cu-Ni-Mg piston alloy cast in F, T551, T6, T65 and T7 conditions.
Reference datasheet — 336.0 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 T551 condition
336.0 tempers and conditions
336.0 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. T551 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Lowest-cost condition for non-critical high-Si castings; strength and dimensional stability are limited, so pistons are normally heat treated. | 140 | 200 | 1 | 85 HB | 31 % IACS |
T551Default Cast, artificially aged (stabilized) without solution treatment | Standard, most-stocked piston condition: dimensional stability and good hot strength with no quench distortion; choose it for engine pistons and hot wear parts. | 193 | 248 | 0.5 | 105 HB | 29 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Use where long-term dimensional stability at elevated temperature matters more than peak strength (precision pistons, hot-running housings). | 195 | 240 | 0.8 | 100 HB | 30 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | General solution+age condition used outside the AA piston tempers (LM13-TF); higher strength than T551 but with quench distortion risk and still very low ductility. | 250 | 290 | 0.5 | 115 HB | 27 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and fully artificially aged | Pick for the highest strength and hardness (heavy-duty / high-BMEP pistons, wear rings); ductility is minimal and distortion control after quench is required. | 296 | 324 | 0.5 | 125 HB | 26 % IACS |
What is 336.0?
336.0 (UNS A03360, SN122A) is a high-silicon, low-expansion Al-Si-Cu-Ni-Mg piston alloy cast in F, T551, T6, T65 and T7 conditions. It is used for diesel and gasoline pistons and other high-temperature engine parts because the primary silicon and nickel aluminides give 193 MPa yield, 248 MPa tensile, 105 HB, a 90 GPa elastic modulus, 117 W/m·K conductivity and service to 250 °C with dimensional stability. Elongation is only 0.5%, the machinability rating is 35 and fusion weldability is poor, so 332.0 is the easier-machining alternative for less severe piston duty. 336.0 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 538°C (1,000 °F). 336.0 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 0.5% and the elastic modulus is 90 GPa (13.1 Msi).
What is 336.0 used for?
- Diesel and gasoline engine pistons
- High-temperature engine parts
- Compressor pistons
- Piston crowns and ring-groove sections
- Rotary and small-engine pistons
- Wear-critical thermally stable castings
Advantages
- Stiff — 90 GPa (13.1 Msi), better than 99% of aluminum grades
- High service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), better than 97% of aluminum grades
- Low embodied carbon — 9.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 97% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0.5%, worse than 99% of aluminum grades
- Low fracture toughness — 14 MPa·√m (12.7 ksi·√in), worse than 97% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades
336.0 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 336.0-T551; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
336.0 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 538°C (1,000 °F).
Mechanical12
336.0 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 0.5% and the elastic modulus is 90 GPa (13.1 Msi).
Thermal6
336.0 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 117 W/m·K (67.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 19 µm/m·K (10.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
336.0 conducts electricity at 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 62% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 336.0 takes about 150 MJ of energy and emits 9.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability8
336.0's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (35/100); 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. 336.0 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 336.0
Is 336.0 easy to machine?
Abrasive primary Si and Ni-aluminides demand PCD or coated carbide tooling, high speed / light feed and copious coolant; chips are short and finish is good once tooling is right.
Can 336.0 be welded?
Poor fusion weldability — hot-crack and porosity prone; repair only by TIG with 4047/4145 filler followed by re-aging, and avoid structural welds.
Can 336.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Permanent-mold (and some sand/squeeze) casting alloy with excellent fluidity and low shrinkage; needs good Sr/P melt treatment, grain refinement and degassing, no cold forming possible.
336.0 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sieutectic Si for low CTE and wear resistance | 11 – 13 | 12 |
| Cu | 0.5 – 1.5 | 1 |
| MgMg2Si strengthening | 0.7 – 1.3 | 1 |
| Nihigh-temperature stability | 2 – 3 | 2.5 |
| Fe | ≤ 1.2 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.35 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.35 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Others (each)others total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 336.0?
Machine or hone bearing/skirt surfaces; hard anodize or ferrous-oxide/graphite coatings for ring grooves and skirts, decorative anodizing not recommended (dark, patchy film).
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 336.0 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A03360
- BS
- LM13
- Trade names
- SN122A
- Other
- A332.0
How much does 336.0 cost?
336.0 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.
336.0 — frequently asked
What is 336.0 used for?
336.0 is typically used for diesel and gasoline engine pistons, high-temperature engine parts, compressor pistons, piston crowns and ring-groove sections, rotary and small-engine pistons and wear-critical thermally stable castings. In short: highest-silicon piston alloy; lowest thermal expansion, 250 °C; abrasive, hardest to machine.
What is the yield strength of 336.0?
336.0 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 5 listed tempers.
Is 336.0 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades). Abrasive primary Si and Ni-aluminides demand PCD or coated carbide tooling, high speed / light feed and copious coolant; chips are short and finish is good once tooling is right.
Can 336.0 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Poor fusion weldability — hot-crack and porosity prone; repair only by TIG with 4047/4145 filler followed by re-aging, and avoid structural welds.
What surface finishes work on 336.0?
Machine or hone bearing/skirt surfaces; hard anodize or ferrous-oxide/graphite coatings for ring grooves and skirts, decorative anodizing not recommended (dark, patchy film).
Can 336.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Permanent-mold (and some sand/squeeze) casting alloy with excellent fluidity and low shrinkage; needs good Sr/P melt treatment, grain refinement and degassing, no cold forming possible.
What is the maximum service temperature of 336.0?
336.0 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 336.0-T551 and 336.0-T65?
T551 is the default condition — standard, most-stocked piston condition: dimensional stability and good hot strength with no quench distortion; choose it for engine pistons and hot wear parts. T65: pick for the highest strength and hardness (heavy-duty / high-BMEP pistons, wear rings); ductility is minimal and distortion control after quench is required. Yield strength is 193 MPa in T551 versus 296 MPa in T65.
How much does 336.0 cost?
336.0 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 / Aluminum Association Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Ingot ("Pink/Teal Sheets") — The Aluminum Association (2015)
- ASTM B26/B26M & B108/B108M — Aluminum-Alloy Sand and Permanent Mold Castings — ASTM International (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys (ASM Specialty Handbook) — ASM International (1993)
- BS 1490 LM13 / SAE J452 (336.0, A332.0) piston alloy data — BSI / SAE International (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.