Aluminum ADC6
JIS ADC6
ADC6 is a corrosion-resistant Al-Mg-Si high-pressure die casting alloy in the JIS ADC series, used as an alternative to ADC5 with a better balance of castability and finishing.
Reference datasheet — ADC6 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
ADC6 tempers and conditions
ADC6 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. F is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick when dimensional stability after machining matters more than strength; short low-temperature soak avoids blistering of the cast pores. | 120 | 235 | 11 | 58 HB | 26 % IACS |
FDefault As fabricated | Standard supply condition for ADC6 die castings; used directly after trimming and machining. | 145 | 265 | 8 | 65 HB | 25 % IACS |
Vacuum-assisted high-pressure die cast, as-cast | Choose for pressure-tight, weldable or higher-ductility ADC6 parts where gas porosity must be minimized. | 150 | 280 | 13 | 66 HB | 26 % IACS |
What is ADC6?
ADC6 is a corrosion-resistant Al-Mg-Si high-pressure die casting alloy in the JIS ADC series, used as an alternative to ADC5 with a better balance of castability and finishing. The default F condition gives 265 MPa tensile, 145 MPa yield, 8% elongation, 65 HB and 125 W/m·K — the highest thermal conductivity of the common ADC grades — with a machinability score of 65 and corrosion resistance rated 65. Strength is below ADC10 and ADC12, service is limited to 150 °C, and die casting still needs melt protection and tight Fe/Mn control. Choose ADC5 for maximum corrosion resistance and anodized appearance. ADC6 has a density of 2.63 g/cm³ (0.095 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of aluminum grades. It melts at 590°C (1,094 °F). ADC6 has a yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is ADC6 used for?
- decorative fittings
- corrosion-resistant housings
- consumer hardware
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 9.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 97% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 25 % IACS, worse than 92% of aluminum grades
ADC6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ADC6-F; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ADC6 has a density of 2.63 g/cm³ (0.095 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of aluminum grades. It melts at 590°C (1,094 °F).
Mechanical13
ADC6 has a yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
ADC6 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 125 W/m·K (72.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 72% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 24.5 µm/m·K (13.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ADC6 conducts electricity at 25 % IACS, worse than 92% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 71% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ADC6 takes about 155 MJ of energy and emits 9.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 94% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
ADC6's machinability is good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability poor (15/100).
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. ADC6 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ADC6
Is ADC6 easy to machine?
Machines easily but gummy — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, flood coolant or MQL to avoid built-up edge and smearing.
Can ADC6 be welded?
TIG/MIG weldable with 5356 filler on low-porosity (vacuum) castings; conventional HPDC parts blister and gas-porosity-crack, so prefer mechanical joining or friction-stir/laser on thin sections.
Can ADC6 be formed, bent or molded?
Die casting requires tight melt protection (cover flux/inert gas), controlled Fe/Mn to limit die soldering, fast fill and good venting; hot-tearing and short die life relative to ADC12.
ADC6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mgmain strengthening/corrosion element | 2.5 – 4 | 3.2 |
| Siaids fluidity vs ADC5 | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Fekept low for corrosion resistance; raises die-soldering risk | ≤ 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Ni | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Sn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on ADC6?
Excellent candidate for clear and color sulfuric anodizing and chromate-free conversion coating; also takes powder coat and paint well after light shot blast.
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
How much does ADC6 cost?
ADC6 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.
ADC6 — frequently asked
What is ADC6 used for?
ADC6 is typically used for decorative fittings, corrosion-resistant housings and consumer hardware. In short: anodizable die-cast alloy; highest thermal conductivity ADC; easier casting than ADC5.
What is the yield strength of ADC6?
ADC6 has a typical yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is ADC6 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades). Machines easily but gummy — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, flood coolant or MQL to avoid built-up edge and smearing.
Can ADC6 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). TIG/MIG weldable with 5356 filler on low-porosity (vacuum) castings; conventional HPDC parts blister and gas-porosity-crack, so prefer mechanical joining or friction-stir/laser on thin sections.
What surface finishes work on ADC6?
Excellent candidate for clear and color sulfuric anodizing and chromate-free conversion coating; also takes powder coat and paint well after light shot blast.
Can ADC6 be formed, bent or molded?
Die casting requires tight melt protection (cover flux/inert gas), controlled Fe/Mn to limit die soldering, fast fill and good venting; hot-tearing and short die life relative to ADC12.
What is the maximum service temperature of ADC6?
ADC6 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 ADC6-F and ADC6-O?
F is the default condition — standard supply condition for ADC6 die castings; used directly after trimming and machining. O: pick when dimensional stability after machining matters more than strength; short low-temperature soak avoids blistering of the cast pores. Yield strength is 145 MPa in F versus 120 MPa in O.
How much does ADC6 cost?
ADC6 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 — Japanese Standards Association (2006)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- 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.