Aluminum A356.2 · temper · default condition
Aluminum A356.2-T6
Properties of the T6 condition, compared with the other A356.2 tempers.
Default structural temper: best balance of strength, ductility and fatigue life for wheels, knuckles and housings.
What is A356.2-T6?
A356.2-T6 is A356.2 in the T6 temper — default structural temper: best balance of strength, ductility and fatigue life for wheels, knuckles and housings. A356.2-T6 has a yield strength of 186 MPa (27 ksi) and a tensile strength of 262 MPa (38 ksi) — weaker than 53% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 72.4 GPa (10.5 Msi). A356.2-T6 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 557°C (1,035 °F).
Limitations
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades
A356.2-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A356.2-T6 — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every A356.2 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
A356.2-T6 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 557°C (1,035 °F).
Mechanical12
A356.2-T6 has a yield strength of 186 MPa (27 ksi) and a tensile strength of 262 MPa (38 ksi) — weaker than 53% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 72.4 GPa (10.5 Msi).
Thermal6
A356.2-T6 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 151 W/m·K (87.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 63% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.5 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A356.2-T6 conducts electricity at 40 % IACS, better than 72% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 71% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A356.2-T6 takes about 195 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 86% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability8
A356.2-T6's machinability is good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other A356.2 tempers and conditions
A356.2 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the A356.2 overview.
- T6DefaultDefault structural temper: best balance of strength, ductility and fatigue life for wheels, knuckles and housings.186 MPa yield · 80 HB
- T61Choose when maximum strength and hardness are needed from permanent-mold castings and some ductility loss is acceptable.207 MPa yield · 90 HB
- T7Use where dimensional stability at elevated temperature and reduced residual stress matter more than peak strength.200 MPa yield · 75 HB
- T71Softest heat-treated condition; picked for best machinability, minimum residual stress and long-term thermal stability.145 MPa yield · 65 HB
- T51Low-cost temper for stability and modest strength gain without the distortion of solution quenching.138 MPa yield · 60 HB
- FPick for low-stress, dimensionally sensitive castings where heat-treat distortion or cost is unacceptable.83 MPa yield · 55 HB
Working with A356.2-T6
Is A356.2 easy to machine?
Machines cleanly in T6 with polished-flute carbide or PCD tooling and high speed; eutectic Si is abrasive so avoid HSS for production runs.
Can A356.2 be welded?
Readily TIG/MIG welded or repaired with 4043/4145 filler; re-solution and re-age welded structural castings to restore T6 properties.
Can A356.2 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity and low hot-tearing for sand, permanent-mold, low-pressure and investment casting; Sr modification plus Ti-B refinement and directional solidification are needed for high-elongation T6 parts.
What surface finishes work on A356.2?
Takes hardcoat anodize and chromate/paint well but decorative sulfuric anodize turns grey; shot peening is common to raise fatigue life.
A356.2 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 | 6.5 – 7.5 | 7 |
| Mgaging element; Sr/Na modification typical | 0.3 – 0.45 | 0.35 |
| Fetight Fe limit distinguishes A356.2 from 356.2 | ≤ 0.12 | 0.08 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Mn | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Tigrain refinement, usually with B | ≤ 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
A356.2-T6 — frequently asked
What is A356.2-T6 used for?
A356.2-T6 is typically used for aerospace castings, aircraft wheels, gearbox and accessory housings, structural airframe brackets, pump and valve bodies and automotive suspension components. In short: aerospace-spec A356; tight Mg/Fe control; heat-treatable.
What is the yield strength of A356.2-T6?
A356.2-T6 has a typical yield strength of 186 MPa (27 ksi) and a tensile strength of 262 MPa (38 ksi) — weaker than 53% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is A356.2-T6 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades). Machines cleanly in T6 with polished-flute carbide or PCD tooling and high speed; eutectic Si is abrasive so avoid HSS for production runs.
Can A356.2-T6 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Readily TIG/MIG welded or repaired with 4043/4145 filler; re-solution and re-age welded structural castings to restore T6 properties.
What surface finishes work on A356.2-T6?
Takes hardcoat anodize and chromate/paint well but decorative sulfuric anodize turns grey; shot peening is common to raise fatigue life.
Can A356.2-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity and low hot-tearing for sand, permanent-mold, low-pressure and investment casting; Sr modification plus Ti-B refinement and directional solidification are needed for high-elongation T6 parts.
What is the maximum service temperature of A356.2-T6?
A356.2-T6 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.
What is the difference between A356.2-T6 and A356.2-F?
T6 is the default condition — default structural temper: best balance of strength, ductility and fatigue life for wheels, knuckles and housings. F: pick for low-stress, dimensionally sensitive castings where heat-treat distortion or cost is unacceptable. Yield strength is 186 MPa in T6 versus 83 MPa in F.
Can FabDigit make parts in A356.2-T6?
Yes — A356.2-T6 is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B179 — Aluminum Alloys in Ingot and Molten Forms for Castings — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM B26/B26M and B108/B108M — Aluminum-Alloy Sand and Permanent Mold Castings — ASTM International (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum Association Registration Records (Teal Sheets / Pink Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- GB/T 1173 (ZL101A ) — SAC (2013)
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.