Aluminum AC1B
JIS AC1B
AC1B is a JIS Al-Cu casting alloy closely related to AC1A, with adjusted Cu and Ti content for better casting behaviour; it corresponds to ZL201A and 213.0 and is used in F, T4, T6 and T7.
Reference datasheet — AC1B is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the T6 condition
AC1B tempers and conditions
AC1B is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. T6 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Use for low-stress parts or as the delivery state before machining and later heat treatment. | 100 | 180 | 4 | 60 HB | 38 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Best ductility/toughness combination for shock-loaded structural castings. | 190 | 320 | 12 | 85 HB | 30 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Pick when dimensional stability at elevated temperature and reduced residual stress matter more than peak strength. | 230 | 300 | 5 | 90 HB | 36 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Default condition — maximum strength and hardness for load-bearing aerospace/machinery castings. | 250 | 350 | 6 | 100 HB | 33 % IACS |
What is AC1B?
AC1B is a JIS Al-Cu casting alloy closely related to AC1A, with adjusted Cu and Ti content for better casting behaviour; it corresponds to ZL201A and 213.0 and is used in F, T4, T6 and T7. In the default condition it gives 250 MPa yield, 350 MPa tensile, 6% elongation and 100 HB, with 130 W/m·K thermal conductivity, 33% IACS, service to 200 °C and a machinability rating of 80. Like all Al-Cu castings it is hot-crack sensitive and has limited corrosion resistance, so protective coatings are standard. AC4C/A356 is the alternative when castability and corrosion resistance outrank strength. AC1B has a density of 2.8 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of aluminum grades. It melts at 545°C (1,013 °F). AC1B has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 65% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is AC1B used for?
- aerospace fittings
- structural castings
- high-load brackets
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades
- High service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), better than 90% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 35/100, worse than 85% of aluminum grades
AC1B properties
Typical room-temperature values for AC1B-T6; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
AC1B has a density of 2.8 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of aluminum grades. It melts at 545°C (1,013 °F).
Mechanical13
AC1B has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 65% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
AC1B is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 130 W/m·K (75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 65% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.5 µm/m·K (12.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AC1B conducts electricity at 33 % IACS, worse than 57% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 85% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AC1B takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
AC1B's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (30/100).
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. AC1B is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with AC1B
Is AC1B easy to machine?
Machines very well in T4/T6 with sharp carbide/PCD tooling, high speeds and light feeds; chips break cleanly and surface finish is good.
Can AC1B be welded?
Poor fusion weldability — Al-Cu castings are highly hot-crack sensitive; repair only with matched 2319-type filler plus preheat and post-weld solution+age.
Can AC1B be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or permanent-mould casting only; low fluidity and wide freezing range demand generous risers, chills and directional solidification to avoid hot tears and shrinkage porosity.
AC1B 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cumain strengthening element (Al2Cu) | 4.2 – 5 | 4.6 |
| Mg | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Tigrain refiner | 0.05 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Mnimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Znimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Niimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Snimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on AC1B?
Anodising gives dull grey, less protective films because of the copper — chromate conversion, primer + paint or Ni/Cd plating is the usual protection route.
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).
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum AC1B in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does AC1B cost?
AC1B is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
AC1B — frequently asked
What is AC1B used for?
AC1B is typically used for aerospace fittings, structural castings and high-load brackets. In short: improved castability over AC1A; high-strength Al-Cu casting; machinability rating 80.
What is the yield strength of AC1B?
AC1B has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 65% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is AC1B easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades). Machines very well in T4/T6 with sharp carbide/PCD tooling, high speeds and light feeds; chips break cleanly and surface finish is good.
Can AC1B be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Poor fusion weldability — Al-Cu castings are highly hot-crack sensitive; repair only with matched 2319-type filler plus preheat and post-weld solution+age.
What surface finishes work on AC1B?
Anodising gives dull grey, less protective films because of the copper — chromate conversion, primer + paint or Ni/Cd plating is the usual protection route.
Can AC1B be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or permanent-mould casting only; low fluidity and wide freezing range demand generous risers, chills and directional solidification to avoid hot tears and shrinkage porosity.
What is the maximum service temperature of AC1B?
AC1B 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 AC1B-T6 and AC1B-F?
T6 is the default condition — default condition — maximum strength and hardness for load-bearing aerospace/machinery castings. F: use for low-stress parts or as the delivery state before machining and later heat treatment. Yield strength is 250 MPa in T6 versus 100 MPa in F.
How much does AC1B cost?
AC1B is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
Sources
- JIS H5202 Aluminium alloy castings — Japanese Standards Association (2010)
- GB/T 1173 (ZL201A) — SAC (2013)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.15 — Casting — ASM International (2008)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.