Aluminum ADC3-T6
Temper
JIS ADC3
T6 = 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.
Values for the T6 condition
Other ADC3 tempers and conditions
ADC3 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at ADC3.
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 |
T6This page 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-T6?
ADC3-T6 is ADC3 in the T6 temper — maximum strength; only practical on vacuum/squeeze/low-pressure castings or gravity permanent-mould parts — conventional die castings blister at solution temperature. ADC3-T6 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi). ADC3-T6 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). F is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T6 is available on request or by drawing note.
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 15 MPa·√m (13.7 ksi·√in), worse than 93% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
ADC3-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ADC3-T6; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ADC3 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ADC3-T6 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-T6 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
ADC3-T6 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 145 W/m·K (83.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 53% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21 µm/m·K (11.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ADC3-T6 conducts electricity at 37 % IACS, better than 58% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), better than 57% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ADC3-T6 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-T6's machinability is good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability poor (15/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ADC3-T6
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.
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.
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 | — |
ADC3-T6 — frequently asked
What is ADC3-T6 used for?
ADC3-T6 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-T6?
ADC3-T6 has a typical yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is ADC3-T6 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 55% 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-T6 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). 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-T6?
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-T6 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-T6?
ADC3-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 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.