Aluminum Al-Ce-T6
Temper
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Pick for Mg/Si-bearing cast variants that are solution treated and artificially aged: Mg2Si precipitation raises yield to 215 MPa while Ce phases hold 300 °C stability, but elongation drops to 3 %.
Values for the T6 condition
Other Al-Ce tempers and conditions
Al-Ce is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at Al-Ce.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Choose the lowest-cost heat-resistant casting state when good fluidity and near-freedom from hot cracking matter more than room-temperature strength (115 MPa yield) from the coarse as-cast structure. | 115 | 200 | 5 | 62 HB | 38 % IACS |
T6This page Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Pick for Mg/Si-bearing cast variants that are solution treated and artificially aged: Mg2Si precipitation raises yield to 215 MPa while Ce phases hold 300 °C stability, but elongation drops to 3 %. | 215 | 280 | 3 | 90 HB | 34 % IACS |
Hot isostatic pressed | Specify for fatigue-critical load-bearing parts: 500 °C/100 MPa/2 h closes internal gas porosity and raises elongation to 16 %, trading yield strength down to 240 MPa. | 240 | 350 | 16 | 92 HV | 36 % IACS |
Stress relieved | Pick as the standard post-print step for thin-wall, complex or to-be-machined prints: 300 °C/2 h with furnace cooling removes residual stress and lifts elongation to 12 % with minimal strength loss. | 275 | 385 | 12 | 96 HB | 33 % IACS |
ABDefault As built (as printed) | Choose the default as-built LPBF state when you need the highest room-temperature strength (320 MPa yield, 420 MPa tensile) on simple geometries that tolerate residual stress. | 320 | 420 | 8 | 100 HB | 28 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Use for Zr/Mn/Sc-bearing variants: direct artificial aging at ~350-400 °C precipitates Al3Zr/Al6Mn for 360 MPa yield and 350 °C service, with elongation reduced to 6 %. | 360 | 450 | 6 | 122 HB | 31 % IACS |
What is Al-Ce-T6?
Al-Ce-T6 is Al-Ce in the T6 temper — pick for Mg/Si-bearing cast variants that are solution treated and artificially aged: Mg2Si precipitation raises yield to 215 MPa while Ce phases hold 300 °C stability, but elongation drops to 3 %. Al-Ce-T6 has a yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) — stronger than 58% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi). Al-Ce-T6 has a density of 2.8 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of aluminum grades. It melts at 640°C (1,184 °F). AB is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T6 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), better than 99% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 14 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 95% of aluminum grades
- Low fracture toughness — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), worse than 83% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 120 W/m·K (69.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 79% of aluminum grades
Al-Ce-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Al-Ce-T6; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Al-Ce reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
Al-Ce-T6 has a density of 2.8 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of aluminum grades. It melts at 640°C (1,184 °F).
Mechanical15
Al-Ce-T6 has a yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) — stronger than 58% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
Al-Ce-T6 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 120 W/m·K (69.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22 µm/m·K (12.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Al-Ce-T6 conducts electricity at 34 % IACS, worse than 52% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (53/100), worse than 55% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Al-Ce-T6 takes about 235 MJ of energy and emits 14 kg of CO₂ — more than 97% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
Al-Ce-T6's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades); weldability good (65/100); formability not recommended (12/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Al-Ce-T6
Is Al-Ce easy to machine?
Can be cut with the same parameters as cast aluminum, but the hard Al11Ce3 phase is abrasive to tooling. Use diamond-coated or PCD cutters at high speed with light feed.
Can Al-Ce be welded?
The narrow eutectic solidification range gives almost no hot-cracking tendency in laser or TIG welding and in LPBF itself. Mg-bearing variants need control of porosity and magnesium loss.
Can Al-Ce be formed, bent or molded?
Parts are made mainly by LPBF or by sand and permanent-mould casting. The eutectic network gives poor cold formability, so any plastic working should be done hot at 300–450 °C.
What surface finishes work on Al-Ce?
Hard anodizing raises wear resistance but the finish is dark and uneven in colour. Shot blasting followed by chemical polishing improves as-built LPBF surfaces; use paint or powder coating for cosmetic parts.
Al-Ce 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cenear-eutectic; forms Al11Ce3; often added as Ce-La mischmetal | 6 – 14 | 10 |
| Mgmain solid-solution strengthener in Al-Ce-Mg LPBF alloys | 0 – 10 | 8 |
| NiAl-Ce-Ni heat-resistant variant | 0 – 4 | 0 |
| Mnheat-resistant variant; forms Al6Mn dispersoids | 0 – 1.5 | 0 |
| Zrrefines grains and suppresses hot cracking in printing | 0 – 0.6 | 0 |
| Sicast variants may run high Si for fluidity; LPBF typically <0.3 | 0 – 10 | 0.2 |
| Feimpurity | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Al | balance | — |
Al-Ce-T6 — frequently asked
What is Al-Ce-T6 used for?
Al-Ce-T6 is typically used for high-temperature AM parts, engine components and heat exchangers. In short: creep-resistant LPBF aluminum; low-cost scandium alloy alternative; 250 °C service capability.
What is the yield strength of Al-Ce-T6?
Al-Ce-T6 has a typical yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) — stronger than 58% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is Al-Ce-T6 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades). Can be cut with the same parameters as cast aluminum, but the hard Al11Ce3 phase is abrasive to tooling. Use diamond-coated or PCD cutters at high speed with light feed.
Can Al-Ce-T6 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). The narrow eutectic solidification range gives almost no hot-cracking tendency in laser or TIG welding and in LPBF itself. Mg-bearing variants need control of porosity and magnesium loss.
What surface finishes work on Al-Ce-T6?
Hard anodizing raises wear resistance but the finish is dark and uneven in colour. Shot blasting followed by chemical polishing improves as-built LPBF surfaces; use paint or powder coating for cosmetic parts.
Can Al-Ce-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Parts are made mainly by LPBF or by sand and permanent-mould casting. The eutectic network gives poor cold formability, so any plastic working should be done hot at 300–450 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of Al-Ce-T6?
Al-Ce-T6 is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Al-Ce-AB and Al-Ce-F?
AB is the default condition — choose the default as-built LPBF state when you need the highest room-temperature strength (320 MPa yield, 420 MPa tensile) on simple geometries that tolerate residual stress. F: choose the lowest-cost heat-resistant casting state when good fluidity and near-freedom from hot cracking matter more than room-temperature strength (115 MPa yield) from the coarse as-cast structure. Yield strength is 320 MPa in AB versus 115 MPa in F.
Sources
- High performance aluminum–cerium alloys for high-temperature applications (Sims et al.) — Materials Horizons / ORNL (2017)
- Aluminum-Cerium Alloy castings and AM feedstock — Eck Industries (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Al–Ce binary phase diagram / CALPHAD assessments — ASM Alloy Phase Diagram Database (2016)
- Laser powder bed fusion of Al-Ce-Mg and Al-Ce-Ni alloys — mechanical and thermal property studies — Additive Manufacturing / Materials Science & Engineering A (2022)
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.