Aluminum AC4C
JIS AC4C · ASTM 356.0
AC4C is the JIS Al-Si7Mg heat-treatable casting alloy essentially equivalent to A356.0, ZL101 and EN AC-42000 (AlSi7Mg).
Reference datasheet — AC4C 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
AC4C tempers and conditions
AC4C is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. T6 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Cheapest condition for low-stress housings and covers where dimensional stability and strength demands are modest. | 85 | 165 | 5 | 55 HB | 41 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Low-distortion route: modest strength/hardness gain and stress relief without a solution treatment quench. | 125 | 185 | 4 | 65 HB | 42 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard structural condition: best balance of strength, ductility and fatigue life for wheels, knuckles and pressure-tight housings. | 180 | 250 | 5 | 80 HB | 39 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Overaged for dimensional stability, reduced residual stress and better toughness at elevated service temperature, at some loss of peak strength. | 195 | 230 | 5 | 70 HB | 42 % IACS |
T6 variant, underaged | Choose when maximum strength/hardness matters more than elongation, e.g. highly loaded permanent-mold or squeeze castings. | 225 | 280 | 3 | 90 HB | 38 % IACS |
What is AC4C?
AC4C is the JIS Al-Si7Mg heat-treatable casting alloy essentially equivalent to A356.0, ZL101 and EN AC-42000 (AlSi7Mg). It is the default choice for pressure-tight, moderately loaded castings — wheels, chassis parts and gearbox housings — giving 180 MPa yield, 250 MPa tensile, 5 % elongation, 80 HB and 151 W/m·K thermal conductivity. Service temperature is limited to about 150 °C and the eutectic silicon abrades tooling (machinability score 62). For higher ductility and fatigue strength in safety-critical parts, step up to the low-iron AC4CH. AC4C 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). AC4C has a yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 54% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 72.4 GPa (10.5 Msi).
What is AC4C used for?
- automotive wheels
- structural chassis parts
- aerospace castings
- gearbox housings
AC4C properties
Typical room-temperature values for AC4C-T6; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
AC4C 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).
Mechanical14
AC4C has a yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 54% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 72.4 GPa (10.5 Msi).
Thermal6
AC4C 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
AC4C conducts electricity at 39 % IACS, better than 65% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), better than 57% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AC4C takes about 175 MJ of energy and emits 11.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 92% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability7
AC4C's machinability is good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability not recommended (12/100).
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. AC4C is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with AC4C
Is AC4C easy to machine?
Machines cleanly with sharp positive-rake carbide or PCD tooling at high speed; the eutectic Si abrades HSS, so use flood coolant and expect shorter tool life than 6061.
Can AC4C be welded?
Readily TIG/MIG welded with ER4043 or ER4047 filler; weld zone loses T6 properties, so re-solution and re-age for full strength and avoid welding heavily gas-porous castings.
Can AC4C be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity and feeding for sand, gravity, low-pressure and squeeze casting; degas, Sr-modify and grain-refine, and keep Fe low to protect ductility.
AC4C 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 |
|---|---|---|
| SiSr or Na modified for fine eutectic | 6.5 – 7.5 | 7 |
| MgMg2Si precipitation hardening | 0.2 – 0.45 | 0.32 |
| Fe≤0.20 for premium/A356.2 quality | ≤ 0.55 | 0.15 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.35 | 0.05 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.35 | 0.05 |
| Tigrain refinement with Al-Ti-B | ≤ 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Pb | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Sn | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on AC4C?
Takes protective and hard-coat anodize (grey, non-decorative), chromate/Ti-Zr conversion coats, powder coat and paint; impregnation is common for pressure tightness before plating.
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 AC4C in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does AC4C cost?
AC4C is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
AC4C — frequently asked
What is AC4C used for?
AC4C is typically used for automotive wheels, structural chassis parts, aerospace castings and gearbox housings. In short: A356 equivalent casting alloy; pressure-tight structural castings; best all-round AC grade.
What is the yield strength of AC4C?
AC4C has a typical yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 54% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is AC4C easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades). Machines cleanly with sharp positive-rake carbide or PCD tooling at high speed; the eutectic Si abrades HSS, so use flood coolant and expect shorter tool life than 6061.
Can AC4C be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Readily TIG/MIG welded with ER4043 or ER4047 filler; weld zone loses T6 properties, so re-solution and re-age for full strength and avoid welding heavily gas-porous castings.
What surface finishes work on AC4C?
Takes protective and hard-coat anodize (grey, non-decorative), chromate/Ti-Zr conversion coats, powder coat and paint; impregnation is common for pressure tightness before plating.
Can AC4C be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity and feeding for sand, gravity, low-pressure and squeeze casting; degas, Sr-modify and grain-refine, and keep Fe low to protect ductility.
What is the maximum service temperature of AC4C?
AC4C 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 AC4C-T6 and AC4C-F?
T6 is the default condition — standard structural condition: best balance of strength, ductility and fatigue life for wheels, knuckles and pressure-tight housings. F: cheapest condition for low-stress housings and covers where dimensional stability and strength demands are modest. Yield strength is 180 MPa in T6 versus 85 MPa in F.
How much does AC4C cost?
AC4C is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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 H 5202 Aluminium Alloy Castings — JSA (2010)
- GB/T 1173 (ZL101) — SAC (2013)
- ASTM B26/B26M & B108 (A356.0) — ASTM (2018)
- EN 1706 (EN AC-42000 AlSi7Mg) — CEN (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum Association Teal Sheets / Alloy & Temper Registrations — The Aluminum Association (2015)
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.