Aluminum AL2
AL2 is a eutectic Al-Si (silumin) casting alloy to GOST 1583, equivalent to ANSI/AA 443.0, supplied as-cast in sand (F-S), permanent-mold (F-PM) and die-cast (F-DC) forms and in T2.
Reference datasheet — AL2 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-S condition
AL2 tempers and conditions
AL2 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. F-S is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cooled from hot working, cold worked and naturally aged | Choose for dimensionally stable, machining-friendly castings: relieves casting stresses and raises ductility at a small strength cost. | 70 | 145 | 7 | 48 HB | 33 % IACS |
F-SDefault F | Default for general sand-cast housings, covers, pump and fitting bodies where pressure tightness and corrosion resistance matter more than strength. | 75 | 150 | 5 | 50 HB | 31 % IACS |
F | Pick when faster solidification is available: finer eutectic gives ~15 % higher strength and better surface than sand casting. | 85 | 170 | 4 | 55 HB | 32 % IACS |
F | Highest strength form of this chemistry — thin chilled skin nearly doubles UTS; use for thin-wall pressure-tight die castings, but never solution treat (blistering). | 145 | 290 | 2.5 | 80 HB | 31 % IACS |
What is AL2?
AL2 is a eutectic Al-Si (silumin) casting alloy to GOST 1583, equivalent to ANSI/AA 443.0, supplied as-cast in sand (F-S), permanent-mold (F-PM) and die-cast (F-DC) forms and in T2. Default-condition values are 75 MPa yield, 150 MPa tensile, 5% elongation and 50 HB, with 121 W/m·K thermal conductivity and 150 °C maximum service. It is chosen for thin-wall, leak-tight and corrosion-exposed castings because of its high fluidity and low hot-tearing tendency rather than for strength. Strength is the lowest in this group and machinability is poor (35/100) due to abrasive silicon; 356.0-type alloys are the step up when load-bearing strength is required. AL2 has a density of 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F). AL2 has a yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) — weaker than 91% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is AL2 used for?
- Housings and covers
- Marine fittings
- Thin-wall die castings
- Pump and blower casings
- Electrical enclosures
- Instrument bases and frames
Limitations
- Low strength — 75 MPa (10.9 ksi), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades
- Low fracture toughness — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), worse than 83% of aluminum grades
AL2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for AL2-F-S; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
AL2 has a density of 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F).
Mechanical12
AL2 has a yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) — weaker than 91% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
AL2 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 121 W/m·K (69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 20.4 µm/m·K (11.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AL2 conducts electricity at 31 % IACS, worse than 68% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), better than 67% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AL2 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 11.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 80%.
Manufacturability8
AL2's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
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. AL2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with AL2
Is AL2 easy to machine?
Abrasive eutectic silicon — use PCD or polished-flute carbide, high speed, light feed, flood coolant; expect built-up edge with HSS.
Can AL2 be welded?
Readily TIG/MIG welded and weld-repaired with ER4047/ER4043; preheat 150–200 °C on heavy sections; do not weld porous high-pressure die castings.
Can AL2 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — outstanding fluidity and low hot-tearing, suited to thin walls in sand, permanent-mould and high-pressure die casting; Na or Sr modification refines eutectic and doubles elongation.
AL2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sieutectic former; Na/Sr modified for ductility | 10 – 13 | 11.5 |
| Fe≤1.5 % permitted for pressure die castings | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Cukeep low for corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.6 | 0.2 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Mgnot heat-treatable at this level | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Tigrain refinement | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Other, eachtotal impurities ≤ 2.7 % per ГОСТ 1583 | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on AL2?
Best protected by chromate/Ti-Zr conversion coating plus paint or powder coat; decorative anodizing gives a dark grey, blotchy film; hard anodize only where appearance is unimportant.
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 AL2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- 443.0
How much does AL2 cost?
AL2 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.
AL2 — frequently asked
What is AL2 used for?
AL2 is typically used for housings and covers, marine fittings, thin-wall die castings, pump and blower casings, electrical enclosures and instrument bases and frames. In short: most castable Al-Si alloy; low strength, high corrosion resistance; abrasive to cutting tools.
What is the yield strength of AL2?
AL2 has a typical yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) — weaker than 91% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is AL2 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades). Abrasive eutectic silicon — use PCD or polished-flute carbide, high speed, light feed, flood coolant; expect built-up edge with HSS.
Can AL2 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Readily TIG/MIG welded and weld-repaired with ER4047/ER4043; preheat 150–200 °C on heavy sections; do not weld porous high-pressure die castings.
What surface finishes work on AL2?
Best protected by chromate/Ti-Zr conversion coating plus paint or powder coat; decorative anodizing gives a dark grey, blotchy film; hard anodize only where appearance is unimportant.
Can AL2 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — outstanding fluidity and low hot-tearing, suited to thin walls in sand, permanent-mould and high-pressure die casting; Na or Sr modification refines eutectic and doubles elongation.
What is the maximum service temperature of AL2?
AL2 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 AL2 F-S and AL2 F-DC?
F-S is the default condition — default for general sand-cast housings, covers, pump and fitting bodies where pressure tightness and corrosion resistance matter more than strength. F-DC: highest strength form of this chemistry — thin chilled skin nearly doubles UTS; use for thin-wall pressure-tight die castings, but never solution treat (blistering). Yield strength is 75 MPa in F-S versus 145 MPa in F-DC.
How much does AL2 cost?
AL2 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
- ГОСТ 1583-93 Сплавы алюминиевые литейные (АЛ2 / АК12) — Межгосударственный стандарт (1993)
- ASTM B26/B26M Aluminum-Alloy Sand Castings (443.0) — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B85/B85M Aluminum-Alloy Die Castings (A413.0) — ASTM International (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 15: Casting — ASM International (2008)
- GB/T 1173 (ZL102) (2013)
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.