Aluminum 380
AA 380 · UNS A03800 · EN AlSi8Cu3, AlSi8Cu3Fe · JIS ADC10 · also SC84B, ADC12
380 (AA 380.0, JIS ADC10, DIN AlSi8Cu3) is the most widely used Al-Si-Cu die-casting alloy: silicon provides high fluidity and hot-tear resistance, while copper adds strength and good machinability.
380 tempers and conditions
380 is supplied in one standard condition, F.
What is 380?
380 (AA 380.0, JIS ADC10, DIN AlSi8Cu3) is the most widely used Al-Si-Cu die-casting alloy: silicon provides high fluidity and hot-tear resistance, while copper adds strength and good machinability. It is specified for thin-wall, high-volume die castings such as electrical housings, gearbox cases, lighting bodies and hardware, and is supplied almost always as-cast (F), commonly from secondary ingot. Limits are low elongation (about 3 %), moderate corrosion resistance because of the copper, poor weldability and dark, uneven anodizing. 384 is the nearest higher-silicon alternative for thinner walls. 380 has a density of 2.76 g/cm³ (0.0997 lb/in³), heavier than 70% of aluminum grades. It melts at 540°C (1,004 °F). 380 has a yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) — weaker than 61% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is 380 used for?
- Housings
- Brackets
- Generic die castings
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 10.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 95% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 96 W/m·K (55.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 24 % IACS, worse than 95% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
380 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
380 has a density of 2.76 g/cm³ (0.0997 lb/in³), heavier than 70% of aluminum grades. It melts at 540°C (1,004 °F).
Mechanical13
380 has a yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) — weaker than 61% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
380 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 96 W/m·K (55.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.8 µm/m·K (12.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
380 conducts electricity at 24 % IACS, worse than 95% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 380 takes about 155 MJ of energy and emits 10.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 94% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 90%.
Manufacturability7
380's machinability is good (68/100, better than 67% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100).
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. 380 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 380
Is 380 easy to machine?
Machines well with sharp carbide/PCD tooling and high speeds; abrasive eutectic Si wears HSS quickly and subsurface gas porosity can open up in machined faces.
Can 380 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (gas porosity, hot cracking from Cu); repairs are usually done by TIG with 4145/4047 filler or by adhesive/mechanical means.
Can 380 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold-chamber die-casting alloy — high fluidity, low hot-tearing tendency, tolerates thin walls down to ~1 mm; not formable or forgeable after casting.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 380. Every 380 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better68 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 350 / 420 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
380 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 | 7.5 – 9.5 | 8.5 |
| Cu | 3 – 4 | 3.5 |
| Fe2.0 max for die castings; 1.3 max for A380 / ADC10 | ≤ 2 | 1 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Mg0.3 max in JIS ADC10 variants | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Zn | ≤ 3 | 1 |
| Sn | ≤ 0.35 | 0.1 |
| others (each)unspecified elements, total per ASTM B85 | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 380?
Best finished by chromate/no-chrome conversion coat plus powder coat or paint; decorative anodizing is poor (dark, streaky), hard anodize or electroless Ni possible for wear/EMI.
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).
Passivation
Conversion Coating
PVD Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 380 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does 380 cost?
380 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
380 — frequently asked
What is 380 used for?
380 is typically used for housings, brackets and generic die castings. In short: generic 380 die cast.
What is the yield strength of 380?
380 has a typical yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) — weaker than 61% of aluminum grades.
Is 380 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 67% of aluminum grades). Machines well with sharp carbide/PCD tooling and high speeds; abrasive eutectic Si wears HSS quickly and subsurface gas porosity can open up in machined faces.
Can 380 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Fusion welding is not recommended (gas porosity, hot cracking from Cu); repairs are usually done by TIG with 4145/4047 filler or by adhesive/mechanical means.
What surface finishes work on 380?
Best finished by chromate/no-chrome conversion coat plus powder coat or paint; decorative anodizing is poor (dark, streaky), hard anodize or electroless Ni possible for wear/EMI.
Can 380 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold-chamber die-casting alloy — high fluidity, low hot-tearing tendency, tolerates thin walls down to ~1 mm; not formable or forgeable after casting.
What is the maximum service temperature of 380?
380 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 380 cost?
380 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 380?
Yes — 380 is available for CNC machining; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B85/B85M — Aluminum-Alloy Die Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- JIS H 5302 — Aluminium alloy die castings (ADC10) — JSA (2006)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- NADCA Product Specification Standards for Die Castings — North American Die Casting Association (2018)
- Aluminum Association Alloy and Temper Designations (Pink Sheets, cast alloys) — The Aluminum Association (2015)
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.