Aluminum ADC3
JIS ADC3
ADC3 is an Al-Si-Mg high-pressure die casting alloy in the JIS ADC series, equivalent to A360.0, using around 9–10% Si with magnesium instead of copper.
Reference datasheet — ADC3 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 F condition
ADC3 tempers and conditions
ADC3 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. F 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F | Pick when the casting must be weldable, riveted/self-pierce joined, or later heat treated — vacuum-assisted casting cuts entrapped gas. | 160 | 300 | 8 | 72 HB | 29 % IACS |
FDefault As fabricated | Standard supply condition for high-pressure die castings; use unless heat treatment or dimensional stabilisation is specified. | 170 | 315 | 3.5 | 75 HB | 29 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Overaged condition for dimensional stability and better ductility at elevated service temperature, at some loss of strength versus T6. | 190 | 260 | 6 | 78 HB | 38 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Low-temperature ageing (~180–200 °C) to stabilise dimensions and add a little strength without blistering the casting. | 200 | 320 | 2.5 | 85 HB | 31 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Maximum strength; only practical on vacuum/squeeze/low-pressure castings or gravity permanent-mould parts — conventional die castings blister at solution temperature. | 260 | 330 | 3 | 95 HB | 37 % IACS |
What is ADC3?
ADC3 is an Al-Si-Mg high-pressure die casting alloy in the JIS ADC series, equivalent to A360.0, using around 9–10% Si with magnesium instead of copper. It is selected when ductility and corrosion resistance must beat ADC12: the default F condition gives 315 MPa tensile, 170 MPa yield, 3.5% elongation, 75 HB and 113 W/m·K, and castings are supplied in F, F-HVDC, T5, T6 and T7. Castability is lower than ADC12, with more hot-tearing and die-soldering tendency, service is limited to 150 °C, and machinability rates 58. ADC12 remains the alternative where fluidity and cost dominate. ADC3 has a density of 2.64 g/cm³ (0.0954 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of aluminum grades. It melts at 557°C (1,035 °F). ADC3 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) — weaker than 56% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is ADC3 used for?
- electronics enclosures
- automotive brackets
- power tool housings
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 113 W/m·K (65.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 3.5%, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
ADC3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ADC3-F; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ADC3 has a density of 2.64 g/cm³ (0.0954 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of aluminum grades. It melts at 557°C (1,035 °F).
Mechanical13
ADC3 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) — weaker than 56% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
ADC3 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 113 W/m·K (65.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21 µm/m·K (11.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ADC3 conducts electricity at 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), better than 67% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ADC3 takes about 180 MJ of energy and emits 11.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 91% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability7
ADC3's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 54% 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. ADC3 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ADC3
Is ADC3 easy to machine?
Machines freely with sharp PCD or polished-flute carbide tooling at high speed and copious coolant; the 9–10 % Si is abrasive, so PCD is preferred for volume work, and skin porosity can open up on pressure faces.
Can ADC3 be welded?
TIG/MIG possible with 4043 or 4047 filler only on vacuum/low-gas castings; conventional die castings blister and porosity-crack — prefer mechanical joining, FSW or adhesive bonding.
Can ADC3 be formed, bent or molded?
High-pressure die cast at ~660–700 °C melt with fast fill; fluidity is a little lower and hot-tearing/die-soldering tendency higher than ADC12, so generous fillets, controlled Fe and good die lubrication are needed.
ADC3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| SiJIS H 5302 ADC3 / ASTM A360.0 | 9 – 10 | 9.5 |
| Mgstrengthening addition | 0.4 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Femax; controls die soldering | ≤ 1.3 | 0.9 |
| Cumax; kept low for corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.6 | 0.15 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.5 | 0.05 |
| Sn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on ADC3?
Chromate/trivalent conversion coating, e-coat or powder coat gives the best appearance; anodizing is dark and mottled because of primary Si, and shot blast plus vibratory polish is used for as-cast cosmetic parts.
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 ADC3 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- A360.0
How much does ADC3 cost?
ADC3 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.
ADC3 — frequently asked
What is ADC3 used for?
ADC3 is typically used for electronics enclosures, automotive brackets and power tool housings. In short: more ductile than ADC12; copper-free die casting alloy; better corrosion than ADC10.
What is the yield strength of ADC3?
ADC3 has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) — weaker than 56% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is ADC3 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 54% of aluminum grades). Machines freely with sharp PCD or polished-flute carbide tooling at high speed and copious coolant; the 9–10 % Si is abrasive, so PCD is preferred for volume work, and skin porosity can open up on pressure faces.
Can ADC3 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). TIG/MIG possible with 4043 or 4047 filler only on vacuum/low-gas castings; conventional die castings blister and porosity-crack — prefer mechanical joining, FSW or adhesive bonding.
What surface finishes work on ADC3?
Chromate/trivalent conversion coating, e-coat or powder coat gives the best appearance; anodizing is dark and mottled because of primary Si, and shot blast plus vibratory polish is used for as-cast cosmetic parts.
Can ADC3 be formed, bent or molded?
High-pressure die cast at ~660–700 °C melt with fast fill; fluidity is a little lower and hot-tearing/die-soldering tendency higher than ADC12, so generous fillets, controlled Fe and good die lubrication are needed.
What is the maximum service temperature of ADC3?
ADC3 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 ADC3-F and ADC3-T6?
F is the default condition — standard supply condition for high-pressure die castings; use unless heat treatment or dimensional stabilisation is specified. T6: maximum strength; only practical on vacuum/squeeze/low-pressure castings or gravity permanent-mould parts — conventional die castings blister at solution temperature. Yield strength is 170 MPa in F versus 260 MPa in T6.
How much does ADC3 cost?
ADC3 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 5302 — Aluminium alloy die castings — JSA (2006)
- ASTM B85/B85M — Aluminum-Alloy Die Castings (A360.0) — ASTM (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum Association Teal Sheets — Registration Record of Casting Alloys — The Aluminum Association (2015)
- NADCA Product Specification Standards for Die Castings — NADCA (2018)
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.