Aluminum 392.0-F (As fabricated)
Temper · default condition
AA 392.0 · UNS A03920 · ASTM S19
Standard supply condition for 392.0 die castings — maximum wear resistance and dimensional simplicity at lowest cost.
Values for the F condition
Other 392.0 tempers and conditions
392.0 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at 392.0.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDefaultThis page As fabricated | Standard supply condition for 392.0 die castings — maximum wear resistance and dimensional simplicity at lowest cost. | 255 | 290 | 0.8 | 100 HB | 26 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Pick for maximum thermal/dimensional stability in hot-running parts (pistons, compressor bodies), trading some strength for stability. | 260 | 285 | 0.8 | 105 HB | 28 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Choose when castings must hold dimensions after machining and in service near 150–200 °C; small strength gain over F. | 275 | 300 | 0.6 | 110 HB | 27 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Used for gravity/permanent-mold 392.0 parts where peak strength and hardness are needed; not applicable to high-pressure die castings (blistering). | 310 | 330 | 0.5 | 125 HB | 25 % IACS |
What is 392.0-F?
392.0-F is 392.0 in the F temper — standard supply condition for 392.0 die castings — maximum wear resistance and dimensional simplicity at lowest cost. 392.0-F has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 0.8% and the elastic modulus is 82 GPa (11.9 Msi). 392.0-F has a density of 2.64 g/cm³ (0.0954 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F).
Advantages
- Stiff — 82 GPa (11.9 Msi), better than 97% of aluminum grades
- High service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), better than 90% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0.8%, worse than 97% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 96% 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 electrical conductivity — 26 % IACS, worse than 90% of aluminum grades
392.0-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for 392.0-F; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 392.0 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
392.0-F has a density of 2.64 g/cm³ (0.0954 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F).
Mechanical12
392.0-F has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 0.8% and the elastic modulus is 82 GPa (11.9 Msi).
Thermal6
392.0-F is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 134 W/m·K (77.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 60% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 17.8 µm/m·K (9.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
392.0-F conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, worse than 90% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 51% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 392.0-F takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability8
392.0-F's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 96% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 392.0-F
Is 392.0 easy to machine?
Requires PCD or diamond-coated tooling with high speed and light feed — carbide wears in minutes against the primary Si; expect excellent chip break and good bore finish once tooling is right.
Can 392.0 be welded?
Essentially not weldable for structural repair — hot cracking and Si segregation; use mechanical joining or bonding, or 4047 filler only for cosmetic fill.
Can 392.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting-only alloy: melt superheat 750–800 °C with P grain refinement of primary Si, controlled cooling to keep Si particles fine; no cold forming.
What surface finishes work on 392.0?
Hard anodize gives a wear-resistant but dark, non-uniform film; chemical conversion coating or ceramic/PTFE overlays are common for bores, and polishing tends to expose Si particles.
392.0 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Siprimary silicon particles provide wear resistance and low CTE | 18 – 20 | 19 |
| Femax; aids die release in pressure die casting | ≤ 1.5 | 0.9 |
| Cu | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| MgMg2Si strengthening | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Sn | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Ti | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
392.0-F — frequently asked
What is 392.0-F used for?
392.0-F is typically used for engine pistons, cylinder bores and rotary compressor parts. In short: hypereutectic wear-resistant alloy; low thermal expansion; highest service temperature here.
What is the yield strength of 392.0-F?
392.0-F has a typical yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 392.0-F easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 96% of aluminum grades). Requires PCD or diamond-coated tooling with high speed and light feed — carbide wears in minutes against the primary Si; expect excellent chip break and good bore finish once tooling is right.
Can 392.0-F be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Essentially not weldable for structural repair — hot cracking and Si segregation; use mechanical joining or bonding, or 4047 filler only for cosmetic fill.
What surface finishes work on 392.0-F?
Hard anodize gives a wear-resistant but dark, non-uniform film; chemical conversion coating or ceramic/PTFE overlays are common for bores, and polishing tends to expose Si particles.
Can 392.0-F be formed, bent or molded?
Casting-only alloy: melt superheat 750–800 °C with P grain refinement of primary Si, controlled cooling to keep Si particles fine; no cold forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of 392.0-F?
392.0-F is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 392.0-F and 392.0-T6?
F is the default condition — standard supply condition for 392.0 die castings — maximum wear resistance and dimensional simplicity at lowest cost. T6: used for gravity/permanent-mold 392.0 parts where peak strength and hardness are needed; not applicable to high-pressure die castings (blistering). Yield strength is 255 MPa in F versus 310 MPa in T6.
Sources
- Aluminum Association Teal Sheets — Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Ingot — The Aluminum Association (2015)
- ASTM B85 / B108 — Aluminum-Alloy Die Castings and Permanent Mold Castings — ASTM International (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys — ASM International (1993)
- Cast aluminium alloy property tables (hypereutectic Al-Si series) — MatWeb / NADCA design data (2020)
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.