Aluminum 336.0-F (As fabricated)
Temper
AA 336.0 · UNS A03360 · BS LM13 · also SN122A
Lowest-cost condition for non-critical high-Si castings; strength and dimensional stability are limited, so pistons are normally heat treated.
Values for the F condition
Other 336.0 tempers and conditions
336.0 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 336.0.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FThis page 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-F?
336.0-F is 336.0 in the F temper — lowest-cost condition for non-critical high-Si castings; strength and dimensional stability are limited, so pistons are normally heat treated. 336.0-F has a yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 70% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 89 GPa (12.9 Msi). 336.0-F 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). T551 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; F is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Stiff — 89 GPa (12.9 Msi), better than 99% of aluminum grades
- Low embodied carbon — 9.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 97% of aluminum grades
- High service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), better than 90% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 95% of aluminum grades
- Low fracture toughness — 15 MPa·√m (13.7 ksi·√in), worse than 93% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 6/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 38/100, worse than 84% of aluminum grades
336.0-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for 336.0-F; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 336.0 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
336.0-F 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-F has a yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 70% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 89 GPa (12.9 Msi).
Thermal6
336.0-F is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 122 W/m·K (70.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 74% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 19 µm/m·K (10.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
336.0-F conducts electricity at 31 % IACS, worse than 68% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 62% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 336.0-F 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-F's machinability is fair (38/100, worse than 84% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (38/100); formability not recommended (6/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 336.0-F
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.
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).
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 | — |
336.0-F — frequently asked
What is 336.0-F used for?
336.0-F 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-F?
336.0-F has a typical yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 70% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 336.0-F easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, worse than 84% 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-F be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (38/100). 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-F?
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-F 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-F?
336.0-F is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.