Aluminum 4032
AA 4032 · UNS A94032 · ASTM 4032-T6 · EN AW-4032, AW 4032
4032 is a forgeable, extrudable high-silicon aluminum alloy (about 12.5% Si) with Cu, Mg and Ni additions, strengthened by Mg2Si and Al-Cu-Ni precipitates together with a large volume of primary silicon.
4032 tempers and conditions
4032 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition, used for maximum machining/upsetting freedom before solution treatment; not a service temper. | 110 | 235 | 18 | 65 HB | 44 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard service condition for forged pistons and wear parts — peak strength plus best hot hardness retention. | 315 | 380 | 9 | 120 HB | 40 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching | Pick when dimensional stability after heavy machining matters (residual stresses removed); mechanicals essentially those of T6. | 315 | 380 | 8 | 120 HB | 40 % IACS |
What is 4032?
4032 is a forgeable, extrudable high-silicon aluminum alloy (about 12.5% Si) with Cu, Mg and Ni additions, strengthened by Mg2Si and Al-Cu-Ni precipitates together with a large volume of primary silicon. Engineers choose it for low thermal expansion (about 19 µm/m·K), high wear resistance and usable strength near 200 °C; it is supplied mainly as forgings, extruded bar and machined piston blanks. Ductility, cold formability and weldability are limited, the primary silicon is abrasive to tooling, and the copper content leaves corrosion resistance and anodized appearance (grey) behind the 6000-series grades. 4032 has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.097 lb/in³), lighter than 69% of aluminum grades. It melts at 532°C (990 °F). 4032 has a yield strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 79% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 79 GPa (11.5 Msi).
What is 4032 used for?
- Forged engine pistons
- Reciprocating compressor pistons
- Cylinder liners and wear sleeves
- Motorsport and motorcycle piston blanks
- Pump wear components
- Machined parts needing low thermal expansion
Advantages
- High service temperature — 175°C (347 °F), better than 83% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 315 MPa (45.7 ksi), better than 79% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
4032 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
4032 has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.097 lb/in³), lighter than 69% of aluminum grades. It melts at 532°C (990 °F).
Mechanical12
4032 has a yield strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 79% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 79 GPa (11.5 Msi).
Thermal6
4032 is rated for continuous service to 175°C (347 °F). It conducts heat at 141 W/m·K (81.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 50% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 19.4 µm/m·K (10.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
4032 conducts electricity at 40 % IACS, better than 72% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 62% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 4032 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
4032's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability poor (20/100).
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. 4032 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 4032
Is 4032 easy to machine?
Machines to fine chips and good finish but the primary Si is very abrasive — use PCD or polished carbide, high speed, low feed and flood coolant.
Can 4032 be welded?
Fusion welding is limited (Cu+Mg raise crack sensitivity); if required use 4043/4145 filler and post-weld solution + age, otherwise join mechanically.
Can 4032 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forging/extrusion at roughly 400–470 °C is the intended route; cold forming and bending are poor — do not rely on cold work in T6.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 4032. Every 4032 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 200 / 240 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / 0.8 µm |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Not Recommend20 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair40 / 100 |
4032 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 Si gives wear resistance and low CTE | 11 – 13.5 | 12.2 |
| Cu | 0.5 – 1.3 | 0.9 |
| MgMg2Si precipitation strengthening | 0.8 – 1.3 | 1 |
| Nielevated-temperature strength | 0.5 – 1.3 | 0.9 |
| Fe | ≤ 1 | |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 4032?
Hard (type III) anodize for piston skirts and wear faces; decorative anodize turns dark grey, and electroless nickel or Fe-phosphate/graphite coatings are also common.
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 4032 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A94032
- ASTM
- 4032-T6
- Aluminum Association
- AA4032
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-4032AW 4032AlSi12.5MgCuNi
How much does 4032 cost?
4032 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 62% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
4032 — frequently asked
What is 4032 used for?
4032 is typically used for forged engine pistons, reciprocating compressor pistons, cylinder liners and wear sleeves, motorsport and motorcycle piston blanks, pump wear components and machined parts needing low thermal expansion. In short: forged piston alloy; high wear and heat resistance.
What is the yield strength of 4032?
4032 has a typical yield strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 79% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is 4032 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades). Machines to fine chips and good finish but the primary Si is very abrasive — use PCD or polished carbide, high speed, low feed and flood coolant.
Can 4032 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Fusion welding is limited (Cu+Mg raise crack sensitivity); if required use 4043/4145 filler and post-weld solution + age, otherwise join mechanically.
What surface finishes work on 4032?
Hard (type III) anodize for piston skirts and wear faces; decorative anodize turns dark grey, and electroless nickel or Fe-phosphate/graphite coatings are also common.
Can 4032 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forging/extrusion at roughly 400–470 °C is the intended route; cold forming and bending are poor — do not rely on cold work in T6.
What is the maximum service temperature of 4032?
4032 is rated for continuous use to about 175°C (347 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 4032 cost?
4032 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 62% 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 4032?
Yes — 4032 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 573-3 / EN 586 wrought aluminium alloy designations and forgings — CEN (2019)
- Aluminum alloy 4032 property datasheets — MatWeb / MMPDS typical data (2023)
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.