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Aluminum 354.0-F (As fabricated)

Temper

AA 354.0 · UNS A03540 · also SC92A

Pick only as an intermediate stock condition before solution treatment; 354.0 is not normally sold or used in the as-cast state.

Standard cost $$

Values for the F condition

Other 354.0 tempers and conditions

354.0 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at 354.0.

Compare all 3 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
FThis page
As fabricated
Pick only as an intermediate stock condition before solution treatment; 354.0 is not normally sold or used in the as-cast state.115200370 HB34 % IACS
T61Default
T6 variant, underaged
Standard premium-strength condition for structural permanent-mold castings needing high strength with usable ductility.2553303100 HB32 % IACS
T6, heat treated by the user
Choose when maximum strength and hardness are required and the lower elongation (≈2%) is acceptable.2903602115 HB31 % IACS

What is 354.0-F?

354.0-F is 354.0 in the F temper — pick only as an intermediate stock condition before solution treatment; 354.0 is not normally sold or used in the as-cast state. 354.0-F has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 79% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 74 GPa (10.7 Msi). 354.0-F has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 538°C (1,000 °F). T61 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; F is available on request or by drawing note.

Limitations

  • Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades
  • Low strength — 115 MPa (16.7 ksi), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
  • Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 79% of aluminum grades

354.0-F properties

Typical room-temperature values for 354.0-F; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 354.0 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.

Physical3

354.0-F has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 538°C (1,000 °F).

Density2.71 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)538°C1,000 °F
Liquidus Temperature599°C1,110 °F

Mechanical13

354.0-F has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 79% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 74 GPa (10.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus74 GPa10.7 Msi
Shear Modulus27.5 GPa4 Msi
Bulk Modulus72 GPa10.4 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.33
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)200 MPa29 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)115 MPa16.7 ksi
Elongation at Break3%
Compressive Strength125 MPa18.1 ksi
Shear Strength150 MPa21.8 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)70 MPa10.2 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)24 MPa·√m21.8 ksi·√in
Hardness, Brinell70 HB
Hardness, Vickers74 HV

Thermal6

354.0-F is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 134 W/m·K (77.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 60% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21 µm/m·K (11.7 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity134 W/m·K77.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity963 J/kg·K0.23 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)21 µm/m·K11.7 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion389 J/g167 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)150°C302 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical3

354.0-F conducts electricity at 34 % IACS, worse than 52% of aluminum grades.

Electrical Conductivity34 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity5.07×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is fair (42/100), worse than 69% of aluminum grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.78 V
Corrosion ResistanceFair42/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood in dry air, oils and most organic fluids; the ~1.8% Cu reduces resistance to chloride-bearing water, marine atmospheres and acids — protective coating, paint or chromate/anodic film recommended for outdoor or wet service; attacked by strong alkalis and mercury-bearing media.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 354.0-F takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)205 MJ/kg88,134 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)12.5 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water1,150 L/kg138 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content20%

Manufacturability8

354.0-F's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (38/100); formability not recommended (8/100).

MachinabilityFair50/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)48%
WeldabilityFair38/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended8/100
CastabilityExcellent88/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityPoor25/100
PolishabilityFair50/100
Anodizing Responsefair — high silicon produces a dark gray/charcoal, non-uniform anodic film; hard-coat anodizing is used for wear resistance but decorative clear/bright anodizing is not recommended.

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 354.0-F

Is 354.0 easy to machine?

Machines well in T61/T62 with carbide or PCD tooling; the ~9% Si and hard Si particles cause abrasive tool wear, so use high speed, sharp positive-rake tools and flood coolant.

Can 354.0 be welded?

Fusion welding is difficult — the 1.8% Cu makes it hot-crack sensitive; if unavoidable use 4145/4043-type filler on preheated parts and re-solution + re-age locally, otherwise join mechanically.

Can 354.0 be formed, bent or molded?

Permanent-mold (and low-pressure/gravity) casting alloy with excellent fluidity for thin, complex sections; requires tight Fe control, good gating/feeding and a full T6-type cycle to develop properties — not cold formable.

What surface finishes work on 354.0?

Chromate conversion or paint/powder coat for corrosion protection; hard anodizing gives a wear layer but decorative anodizing is dark and blotchy due to silicon; impregnation is common for pressure-tight parts.

354.0 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Si8.6 – 9.49
Cu1.6 – 21.8
Mg0.4 – 0.60.5
Femax — low iron required for premium ductility≤ 0.2—
Mn≤ 0.1—
Zn≤ 0.1—
Timax — grain refinement≤ 0.2—
Others (each)≤ 0.05—
Others (total)≤ 0.15—
Albalance—

354.0-F — frequently asked

What is 354.0-F used for?

354.0-F is typically used for suspension components, aerospace fittings and high-strength housings. In short: high-strength permanent-mold alloy; stronger than A356.0 T6; hot-crack sensitive.

What is the yield strength of 354.0-F?

354.0-F has a typical yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 79% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.

Is 354.0-F easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades). Machines well in T61/T62 with carbide or PCD tooling; the ~9% Si and hard Si particles cause abrasive tool wear, so use high speed, sharp positive-rake tools and flood coolant.

Can 354.0-F be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (38/100). Fusion welding is difficult — the 1.8% Cu makes it hot-crack sensitive; if unavoidable use 4145/4043-type filler on preheated parts and re-solution + re-age locally, otherwise join mechanically.

What surface finishes work on 354.0-F?

Chromate conversion or paint/powder coat for corrosion protection; hard anodizing gives a wear layer but decorative anodizing is dark and blotchy due to silicon; impregnation is common for pressure-tight parts.

Can 354.0-F be formed, bent or molded?

Permanent-mold (and low-pressure/gravity) casting alloy with excellent fluidity for thin, complex sections; requires tight Fe control, good gating/feeding and a full T6-type cycle to develop properties — not cold formable.

What is the maximum service temperature of 354.0-F?

354.0-F 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 354.0-T61 and 354.0-F?

T61 is the default condition — standard premium-strength condition for structural permanent-mold castings needing high strength with usable ductility. F: pick only as an intermediate stock condition before solution treatment; 354.0 is not normally sold or used in the as-cast state. Yield strength is 255 MPa in T61 versus 115 MPa in F.

Sources

  1. 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)
  2. ASTM B108/B108M — Aluminum-Alloy Permanent Mold Castings — ASTM International (2019)
  3. ASM Handbook, Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Specialty Handbook: Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys — ASM International (1993)
  5. SAE AMS 4225 / UNS A03540 alloy data — SAE International (2017)

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.