Aluminum 384 · temper
Aluminum 384-F
Properties of the F condition, compared with the other 384 tempers.
Standard supply condition for 384 die castings — no heat treatment; use for all normal high-volume pressure die casting.
What is 384-F?
384-F is 384 in the F temper — standard supply condition for 384 die castings — no heat treatment; use for all normal high-volume pressure die casting. 384-F has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi). 384-F has a density of 2.82 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 89% of aluminum grades. It melts at 482°C (900 °F).
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 90% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 2.5%, worse than 83% of aluminum grades
384-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for 384-F — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 384 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
384-F has a density of 2.82 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 89% of aluminum grades. It melts at 482°C (900 °F).
Mechanical13
384-F has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
384-F 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 µm/m·K (11.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
384-F conducts electricity at 23 % IACS, worse than 97% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (38/100), worse than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 384-F takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 95%.
Manufacturability8
384-F's machinability is good (60/100, better than 50% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Working with 384-F
Is 384 easy to machine?
Machines freely with sharp carbide or PCD tools and flood coolant; the hard eutectic Si is abrasive, so favour PCD for high-volume drilling/milling and expect short tool life with HSS.
Can 384 be welded?
Effectively non-weldable as a die casting (entrapped gas porosity blows out and 3–4 % Cu promotes hot cracking); join by mechanical fastening, self-piercing rivets or adhesive, use TIG only for cosmetic repair.
Can 384 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent high-pressure die casting alloy — near-eutectic fluidity fills 1–2 mm walls, low hot-tear tendency and good die life; not heat-treatable and not cold formable.
What surface finishes work on 384?
Conversion coat (chromate-free), powder coat or paint for corrosion protection; anodizing gives a dark, mottled film, and porosity can bleed during plating so impregnate or use vacuum-assist casting first.
384 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sinear-eutectic, drives fluidity | 10.5 – 12 | 11.2 |
| Cu | 3 – 4.5 | 3.8 |
| Fedie casting limit; 1.0 max for permanent mold | ≤ 1.3 | 0.9 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Mg | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| ZnA384.0 limits Zn to 1.0 % | ≤ 3 | 1 |
| Sn | ≤ 0.35 | — |
| Others (each)total others per ASTM B85 | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
384-F — frequently asked
What is 384-F used for?
384-F is typically used for engine cases and covers, transmission housings, electronic device housings and frames, thin-wall complex die castings, motor and pump housings and automotive brackets and covers. In short: high-fluidity die cast.
What is the yield strength of 384-F?
384-F has a typical yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 59% of aluminum grades.
Is 384-F easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 50% of aluminum grades). Machines freely with sharp carbide or PCD tools and flood coolant; the hard eutectic Si is abrasive, so favour PCD for high-volume drilling/milling and expect short tool life with HSS.
Can 384-F be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Effectively non-weldable as a die casting (entrapped gas porosity blows out and 3–4 % Cu promotes hot cracking); join by mechanical fastening, self-piercing rivets or adhesive, use TIG only for cosmetic repair.
What surface finishes work on 384-F?
Conversion coat (chromate-free), powder coat or paint for corrosion protection; anodizing gives a dark, mottled film, and porosity can bleed during plating so impregnate or use vacuum-assist casting first.
Can 384-F be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent high-pressure die casting alloy — near-eutectic fluidity fills 1–2 mm walls, low hot-tear tendency and good die life; not heat-treatable and not cold formable.
What is the maximum service temperature of 384-F?
384-F 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 384-F?
Yes — 384-F is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B85/B85M — Aluminum-Alloy Die Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Ingot (Pink Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (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)
- JIS H 5302 (ADC12) / GB/T 15115 (YZAlSi11Cu3) — JISC / SAC (2009)
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.