Aluminum 354.0-T61
Temper · default condition
AA 354.0 · UNS A03540 · also SC92A
T61 = t6 variant, underaged
Standard premium-strength condition for structural permanent-mold castings needing high strength with usable ductility.
Values for the T61 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 datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 115 | 200 | 3 | 70 HB | 34 % IACS |
T61DefaultThis page T6 variant, underaged | Standard premium-strength condition for structural permanent-mold castings needing high strength with usable ductility. | 255 | 330 | 3 | 100 HB | 32 % IACS |
T6, heat treated by the user | Choose when maximum strength and hardness are required and the lower elongation (≈2%) is acceptable. | 290 | 360 | 2 | 115 HB | 31 % IACS |
What is 354.0-T61?
354.0-T61 is 354.0 in the T61 temper — standard premium-strength condition for structural permanent-mold castings needing high strength with usable ductility. 354.0-T61 has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 74 GPa (10.7 Msi). 354.0-T61 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).
Advantages
- High service temperature — 175°C (347 °F), better than 83% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 75% of aluminum grades
354.0-T61 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 354.0-T61; 18 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-T61 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).
Mechanical13
354.0-T61 has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 74 GPa (10.7 Msi).
Thermal6
354.0-T61 is rated for continuous service to 175°C (347 °F). It conducts heat at 126 W/m·K (72.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 70% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21 µm/m·K (11.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
354.0-T61 conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, worse than 63% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 354.0-T61 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability8
354.0-T61's machinability is good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 354.0-T61
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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Si | 8.6 – 9.4 | 9 |
| Cu | 1.6 – 2 | 1.8 |
| Mg | 0.4 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| 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 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
354.0-T61 — frequently asked
What is 354.0-T61 used for?
354.0-T61 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-T61?
354.0-T61 has a typical yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is 354.0-T61 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 55% 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-T61 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). 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-T61?
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-T61 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-T61?
354.0-T61 is rated for continuous use to about 175°C (347 °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
- 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/B108M — 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)
- 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.