Aluminum A356/SiC/10p-T61
Temper
also Duralcan F3S.10S
T61 = t6 variant, underaged
Duralcan's recommended MMC aging cycle giving slightly higher strength than generic T6 on permanent-mold parts.
Values for the T61 condition
Other A356/SiC/10p tempers and conditions
A356/SiC/10p is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at A356/SiC/10p.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Lowest-cost condition for non-critical wear or stiffness parts where strength is secondary. | 120 | 195 | 2 | 65 HB | 31 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Choose when distortion from solution quenching must be avoided and moderate strength suffices. | 190 | 235 | 1.5 | 75 HB | 32.5 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Pick for dimensional stability and elevated-temperature service where some strength can be traded away. | 235 | 265 | 1.6 | 80 HB | 35 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard supply condition — maximum strength and stiffness for brake rotors, pistons and structural castings. | 285 | 310 | 1 | 90 HB | 33 % IACS |
T61This page T6 variant, underaged | Duralcan's recommended MMC aging cycle giving slightly higher strength than generic T6 on permanent-mold parts. | 296 | 331 | 0.6 | 95 HB | 33 % IACS |
What is A356/SiC/10p-T61?
A356/SiC/10p-T61 is A356/SiC/10p in the T61 temper — duralcan's recommended MMC aging cycle giving slightly higher strength than generic T6 on permanent-mold parts. A356/SiC/10p-T61 has a yield strength of 296 MPa (42.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 331 MPa (48 ksi) — stronger than 76% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 0.6% and the elastic modulus is 81.4 GPa (11.8 Msi). A356/SiC/10p-T61 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 557°C (1,035 °F). T6 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T61 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Stiff — 81.4 GPa (11.8 Msi), better than 97% of aluminum grades
- High service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 172 W/m·K (99.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 296 MPa (42.9 ksi), better than 76% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0.6%, worse than 98% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 24/100, worse than 98% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Low fracture toughness — 16 MPa·√m (14.6 ksi·√in), worse than 89% of aluminum grades
A356/SiC/10p-T61 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A356/SiC/10p-T61; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are A356/SiC/10p reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
A356/SiC/10p-T61 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 557°C (1,035 °F).
Mechanical12
A356/SiC/10p-T61 has a yield strength of 296 MPa (42.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 331 MPa (48 ksi) — stronger than 76% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 0.6% and the elastic modulus is 81.4 GPa (11.8 Msi).
Thermal6
A356/SiC/10p-T61 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 172 W/m·K (99.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 19.5 µm/m·K (10.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A356/SiC/10p-T61 conducts electricity at 33 % IACS, worse than 57% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (52/100), worse than 55% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A356/SiC/10p-T61 takes about 215 MJ of energy and emits 13.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 93% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability8
A356/SiC/10p-T61's machinability is poor (24/100, worse than 98% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with A356/SiC/10p-T61
Is A356/SiC/10p easy to machine?
Use polycrystalline diamond (PCD) or thick-film CVD-diamond tooling with high speed and light feed; carbide wears out in minutes and grinding requires diamond wheels.
Can A356/SiC/10p be welded?
TIG/MIG possible with matched MMC or 4043-type filler, but keep heat input low and dwell short to avoid SiC dissolution and brittle Al4C3; friction stir and adhesive joining are preferred.
Can A356/SiC/10p be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry route only — sand, permanent-mold, squeeze and die casting after remelting with continuous stirring to keep particles dispersed; avoid holding above ~750 °C.
What surface finishes work on A356/SiC/10p?
Anodizes to a gray, non-uniform film; chemical conversion coating or painting is more reliable, and lapping/honing with diamond abrasives gives the best wear surfaces.
A356/SiC/10p 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 |
|---|---|---|
| SiC10 vol% particulate, typically 10–20 µm; wt% equivalent | 10.5 – 13 | 11.8 |
| Simatrix A356 (wt% of matrix) | 6.5 – 7.5 | 7 |
| Mgmatrix A356 | 0.25 – 0.45 | 0.35 |
| Feimpurity | ≤ 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Cuimpurity | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Mnimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Znimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Almatrix balance | balance | — |
A356/SiC/10p-T61 — frequently asked
What is A356/SiC/10p-T61 used for?
A356/SiC/10p-T61 is typically used for brake rotors/calipers, engine brackets, pulleys and automotive structural castings. In short: entry-level SiC MMC; stiffer and more wear-resistant than A356; requires diamond tooling.
What is the yield strength of A356/SiC/10p-T61?
A356/SiC/10p-T61 has a typical yield strength of 296 MPa (42.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 331 MPa (48 ksi) — stronger than 76% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is A356/SiC/10p-T61 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (24/100, worse than 98% of aluminum grades). Use polycrystalline diamond (PCD) or thick-film CVD-diamond tooling with high speed and light feed; carbide wears out in minutes and grinding requires diamond wheels.
Can A356/SiC/10p-T61 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). TIG/MIG possible with matched MMC or 4043-type filler, but keep heat input low and dwell short to avoid SiC dissolution and brittle Al4C3; friction stir and adhesive joining are preferred.
What surface finishes work on A356/SiC/10p-T61?
Anodizes to a gray, non-uniform film; chemical conversion coating or painting is more reliable, and lapping/honing with diamond abrasives gives the best wear surfaces.
Can A356/SiC/10p-T61 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry route only — sand, permanent-mold, squeeze and die casting after remelting with continuous stirring to keep particles dispersed; avoid holding above ~750 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of A356/SiC/10p-T61?
A356/SiC/10p-T61 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 A356/SiC/10p-T6 and A356/SiC/10p-F?
T6 is the default condition — standard supply condition — maximum strength and stiffness for brake rotors, pistons and structural castings. F: lowest-cost condition for non-critical wear or stiffness parts where strength is secondary. Yield strength is 285 MPa in T6 versus 120 MPa in F.
Sources
- Duralcan F3S.xxS Aluminum Composite Casting Alloys — property data — Duralcan / Alcan (1996)
- ASM Handbook Vol.21: Composites — Discontinuously Reinforced Aluminum — ASM International (2001)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys (A356 matrix data) — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM B917/B917M — Heat Treatment of Aluminum-Alloy Castings — ASTM (2018)
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.