Aluminum 344.0
AA 344.0 · UNS A03440
344.0 (UNS A03440) is an Al-Si-Cu-Mg permanent mold casting alloy in the ANSI/AA 3xx.x family, related to the 332 group and supplied in F, T5, T6 and T7.
Reference datasheet — 344.0 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
344.0 tempers and conditions
344.0 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 | Default stocked condition — as-cast parts where dimensional stability at room temperature and lowest cost matter. | 125 | 220 | 2 | 85 HB | 28 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Pick when moderate strength gain and dimensional/thermal stability are needed without the distortion risk of solution treatment. | 170 | 235 | 1.5 | 95 HB | 30 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Choose for parts running hot or needing long-term dimensional stability, trading ~10 % strength for stability and toughness. | 190 | 250 | 2 | 90 HB | 32 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Highest strength and hardness condition for loaded pump/engine hardware; accept some distortion and higher cost. | 210 | 285 | 1.5 | 105 HB | 27 % IACS |
What is 344.0?
344.0 (UNS A03440) is an Al-Si-Cu-Mg permanent mold casting alloy in the ANSI/AA 3xx.x family, related to the 332 group and supplied in F, T5, T6 and T7. It is used for pump and engine hardware that needs moderate strength with wear resistance: 125 MPa yield, 220 MPa tensile, 2 % elongation, 85 HB, 110 W/m·K and service to 150 °C. The eutectic silicon is abrasive (machinability score 55), the copper content limits corrosion resistance and weld quality, and the 150 °C ceiling is lower than 331.0 or 339.0; 356.0 is the alternative when weldability and ductility matter more. 344.0 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 521°C (970 °F). 344.0 has a yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) — weaker than 75% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 74 GPa (10.7 Msi).
What is 344.0 used for?
- pump housings
- pistons
- small engine components
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 9.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 97% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 110 W/m·K (63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 87% of aluminum grades
- Low fracture toughness — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), worse than 83% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 28 % IACS, worse than 82% of aluminum grades
344.0 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 344.0-F; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
344.0 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 521°C (970 °F).
Mechanical13
344.0 has a yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) — weaker than 75% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 74 GPa (10.7 Msi).
Thermal6
344.0 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 110 W/m·K (63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21 µm/m·K (11.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
344.0 conducts electricity at 28 % IACS, worse than 82% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 344.0 takes about 155 MJ of energy and emits 9.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 94% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 75%.
Manufacturability8
344.0's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (40/100); 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. 344.0 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 344.0
Is 344.0 easy to machine?
Machines cleanly with polycrystalline diamond or coated carbide at high speed and generous coolant; eutectic silicon is abrasive so HSS tool life is short.
Can 344.0 be welded?
Weldable by TIG/MIG with 4043/4145 filler for repair, but the copper content raises hot-cracking and porosity risk — preheat 150–200 °C and re-age afterwards.
Can 344.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Permanent-mold and die casting alloy with excellent fluidity and low hot-tear tendency; use Sr or Na modification and controlled iron level for best ductility.
344.0 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-range silicon gives the fluidity and wear resistance; confirm exact limits against the current AA registration record | 8.5 – 10.5 | 9.5 |
| Cuage-hardening addition, lower than the 2–4 % of 332.0 | 1 – 1.5 | 1.2 |
| MgMg2Si precipitation strengthening in T5/T6 | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Femax; higher tolerance for die/permanent-mold secondary ingot | ≤ 1.3 | 0.8 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Zn | ≤ 1 | |
| Timax; grain refinement | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Sn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 344.0?
Chromate conversion, powder coat or paint for corrosion protection; decorative anodizing turns dark and blotchy because of the high silicon, hard anodize only for wear surfaces.
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 344.0 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A03440
How much does 344.0 cost?
344.0 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.
344.0 — frequently asked
What is 344.0 used for?
344.0 is typically used for pump housings, pistons and small engine components. In short: good fluidity, low hot tearing; moderate strength with wear resistance; better ductility than piston alloys.
What is the yield strength of 344.0?
344.0 has a typical yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) — weaker than 75% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 344.0 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades). Machines cleanly with polycrystalline diamond or coated carbide at high speed and generous coolant; eutectic silicon is abrasive so HSS tool life is short.
Can 344.0 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Weldable by TIG/MIG with 4043/4145 filler for repair, but the copper content raises hot-cracking and porosity risk — preheat 150–200 °C and re-age afterwards.
What surface finishes work on 344.0?
Chromate conversion, powder coat or paint for corrosion protection; decorative anodizing turns dark and blotchy because of the high silicon, hard anodize only for wear surfaces.
Can 344.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Permanent-mold and die casting alloy with excellent fluidity and low hot-tear tendency; use Sr or Na modification and controlled iron level for best ductility.
What is the maximum service temperature of 344.0?
344.0 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 344.0-F and 344.0-T6?
F is the default condition — default stocked condition — as-cast parts where dimensional stability at room temperature and lowest cost matter. T6: highest strength and hardness condition for loaded pump/engine hardware; accept some distortion and higher cost. Yield strength is 125 MPa in F versus 210 MPa in T6.
How much does 344.0 cost?
344.0 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
- Registration Record of Aluminum Association Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Ingot (Pink Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B108 / B85 — Aluminum-Alloy Permanent Mold and Die 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)
- UNS A03440 alloy record — SAE/ASTM Unified Numbering System (2017)
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.