Aluminum 383
AA 383 · UNS A03830 · EN AlSi10Cu3 · also SC102A
383 (A383.0, UNS A03830, YL113) is an Al–Si–Cu high-pressure die-casting alloy with higher silicon and slightly lower copper than A380, giving better fluidity and less hot-tearing for thin-wall, complex castings.
383 tempers and conditions
383 is supplied in one standard condition, F.
What is 383?
383 (A383.0, UNS A03830, YL113) is an Al–Si–Cu high-pressure die-casting alloy with higher silicon and slightly lower copper than A380, giving better fluidity and less hot-tearing for thin-wall, complex castings. Supplied as-cast (F), it offers a good strength-to-cost ratio, good dimensional stability and moderate thermal conductivity, and is a mainstream choice for electronic enclosures, engine accessories and hardware. Limits are low elongation (about 3–4 %), reduced corrosion resistance and poor decorative anodising from the copper content, and internal die-casting porosity that leaves it effectively non-heat-treatable and unsuitable for pressure-tight fusion welds. 383 has a density of 2.74 g/cm³ (0.099 lb/in³), heavier than 64% of aluminum grades. It melts at 516°C (961 °F). 383 has a yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 65% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is 383 used for?
- Thin-wall electronic enclosures
- Telecom and antenna housings
- Engine accessory brackets and covers
- Hardware fittings and levers
- Connector and instrument shells
- Appliance housings
- Gearbox and pump covers
Advantages
- High service temperature — 175°C (347 °F), better than 83% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 23 % IACS, worse than 97% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 96 W/m·K (55.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Low fracture toughness — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), worse than 83% of aluminum grades
383 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
383 has a density of 2.74 g/cm³ (0.099 lb/in³), heavier than 64% of aluminum grades. It melts at 516°C (961 °F).
Mechanical12
383 has a yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 65% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
383 is rated for continuous service to 175°C (347 °F). It conducts heat at 96 W/m·K (55.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.1 µm/m·K (11.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
383 conducts electricity at 23 % IACS, worse than 97% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (42/100), worse than 69% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 383 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 90%.
Manufacturability8
383's machinability is good (60/100, worse than 51% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (28/100); 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. 383 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 383
Is 383 easy to machine?
Machines freely with sharp, polished-flute carbide or PCD tooling; the 10% Si is abrasive so PCD is preferred for long runs, and drilling into subsurface porosity can cause leaks in pressure parts.
Can 383 be welded?
Poor fusion weldability in die-cast form — entrapped gas blisters and cracks; use 4043/4047 filler only for cosmetic repair, or mechanically join / friction-stir where practical.
Can 383 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent high-pressure die casting alloy: high fluidity for 1–2 mm walls, low hot-tearing and low die soldering; keep gate velocity and vacuum control to limit porosity.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 383. Every 383 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better60 / 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 |
383 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 | 9.5 – 11.5 | 10.5 |
| Fedie casting limit | ≤ 1.3 | 0.9 |
| Cu | 2 – 3 | 2.5 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Mg | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Zn | ≤ 3 | 1 |
| Sn | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Others (total)ASTM B85 others total | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 383?
Best finished with chromate/trivalent conversion coat plus powder or e-coat; decorative anodizing is poor (dark grey), but hard-coat, shot blast, tumbling and electroless nickel all work well.
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 383 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A03830
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AlSi10Cu3
- Trade names
- SC102A
- Similar grades
- YL113
How much does 383 cost?
383 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
383 — frequently asked
What is 383 used for?
383 is typically used for thin-wall electronic enclosures, telecom and antenna housings, engine accessory brackets and covers, hardware fittings and levers, connector and instrument shells and appliance housings. In short: thin-wall die cast.
What is the yield strength of 383?
383 has a typical yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 65% of aluminum grades.
Is 383 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, worse than 51% of aluminum grades). Machines freely with sharp, polished-flute carbide or PCD tooling; the 10% Si is abrasive so PCD is preferred for long runs, and drilling into subsurface porosity can cause leaks in pressure parts.
Can 383 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (28/100). Poor fusion weldability in die-cast form — entrapped gas blisters and cracks; use 4043/4047 filler only for cosmetic repair, or mechanically join / friction-stir where practical.
What surface finishes work on 383?
Best finished with chromate/trivalent conversion coat plus powder or e-coat; decorative anodizing is poor (dark grey), but hard-coat, shot blast, tumbling and electroless nickel all work well.
Can 383 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent high-pressure die casting alloy: high fluidity for 1–2 mm walls, low hot-tearing and low die soldering; keep gate velocity and vacuum control to limit porosity.
What is the maximum service temperature of 383?
383 is rated for continuous use to about 175°C (347 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 383 cost?
383 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), 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 383?
Yes — 383 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)
- 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 Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Ingot ('Pink Sheets') — The Aluminum Association (2018)
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.