Aluminum Alca 5
also ALCA5
Alca 5 is a continuously cast, stress-relieved aluminium tooling plate machined on both faces, part of the same precision cast-plate family as Mic 6 and Alca Max; it is an Al-Mg casting composition rather than a heat-treatable wrought alloy.
Alca 5 tempers and conditions
Alca 5 is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Mill-internal/as-cast slab condition; specify only if machining allowances tolerate residual-stress movement, otherwise buy the stress-relieved STD plate. | 80 | 150 | 2 | 63 HB | 38 % IACS |
As-cast, thermally stress-relieved cast plate | The only commercially stocked condition: continuous-cast, stress-relieved and precision double-side machined plate for tooling and jig bases. | 83 | 152 | 2 | 65 HB | 38 % IACS |
What is Alca 5?
Alca 5 is a continuously cast, stress-relieved aluminium tooling plate machined on both faces, part of the same precision cast-plate family as Mic 6 and Alca Max; it is an Al-Mg casting composition rather than a heat-treatable wrought alloy. It is specified for the flatness and dimensional stability held after two-side machining, near-zero residual stress and good machinability — injection mould base plates, index plates, gauges, vacuum chucks and automation base plates. Limits are low strength and elongation (about 2 %), no cold forming or heat-treat strengthening, and mottled decorative anodising; Mic 6 and ATP-5 are the direct alternatives. Alca 5 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 575°C (1,067 °F). Alca 5 has a yield strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 152 MPa (22 ksi) — weaker than 89% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is Alca 5 used for?
- Injection mould base plates
- Index plates
- Inspection and gauge fixtures
- Vacuum chuck plates
- Automation equipment base plates
- Jig and fixture bodies
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 88/100, better than 96% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 35/100, worse than 98% of aluminum grades
- Low strength — 83 MPa (12 ksi), worse than 89% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 87% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades
Alca 5 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
Alca 5 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 575°C (1,067 °F).
Mechanical11
Alca 5 has a yield strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 152 MPa (22 ksi) — weaker than 89% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
Alca 5 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 140 W/m·K (80.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 52% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Alca 5 conducts electricity at 38 % IACS, better than 61% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 51% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Alca 5 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
Alca 5's machinability is excellent (88/100, better than 96% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
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. Alca 5 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Alca 5
Is Alca 5 easy to machine?
Excellent free-machining behaviour with polished-flute carbide tooling and high speeds; virtually no distortion after heavy pocketing thanks to the stress-relieved cast structure, but expect occasional micro-porosity in finished surfaces.
Can Alca 5 be welded?
TIG/MIG repair with 5356 or 4043 filler is possible for cosmetic fixes; base metal porosity causes gas pick-up and local distortion, so avoid structural welds.
Can Alca 5 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a forming alloy — low ductility (~2 %) means no bending, spinning or roll forming; produce shapes by machining only.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to Alca 5. Every Alca 5 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent88 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 350 / 420 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Alca 5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mgprincipal alloying addition; Al-Mg type cast tooling plate, producer-proprietary limits | 0.5 – 1.3 | 1 |
| Siimpurity/limit | ≤ 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Feimpurity/limit | ≤ 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Cuimpurity/limit | ≤ 0.4 | 0.15 |
| Mnimpurity/limit | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Znimpurity/limit | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.15 | 0.03 |
| Albalance; exact chemistry is proprietary to the cast-plate producer — treat listed limits as indicative | balance |
What surface finishes work on Alca 5?
Hard/clear anodize, chromate conversion or paint for corrosion and wear protection; decorative colour anodize will look mottled, and mirror polishing is limited by cast porosity.
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).
Passivation
Conversion Coating
PVD Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum Alca 5 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- ALCA5
How much does Alca 5 cost?
Alca 5 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 62% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Alca 5 — frequently asked
What is Alca 5 used for?
Alca 5 is typically used for injection mould base plates, index plates, inspection and gauge fixtures, vacuum chuck plates, automation equipment base plates and jig and fixture bodies. In short: cast tool plate, ultra flat.
What is the yield strength of Alca 5?
Alca 5 has a typical yield strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 152 MPa (22 ksi) — weaker than 89% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is Alca 5 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (88/100, better than 96% of aluminum grades). Excellent free-machining behaviour with polished-flute carbide tooling and high speeds; virtually no distortion after heavy pocketing thanks to the stress-relieved cast structure, but expect occasional micro-porosity in finished surfaces.
Can Alca 5 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). TIG/MIG repair with 5356 or 4043 filler is possible for cosmetic fixes; base metal porosity causes gas pick-up and local distortion, so avoid structural welds.
What surface finishes work on Alca 5?
Hard/clear anodize, chromate conversion or paint for corrosion and wear protection; decorative colour anodize will look mottled, and mirror polishing is limited by cast porosity.
Can Alca 5 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a forming alloy — low ductility (~2 %) means no bending, spinning or roll forming; produce shapes by machining only.
What is the maximum service temperature of Alca 5?
Alca 5 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Alca 5 cost?
Alca 5 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 62% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in Alca 5?
Yes — Alca 5 is available for CNC machining; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Cast aluminium tooling plate product data (Alca 5 / Alca Max / Mic 6 family) — Alcoa / Arconic cast plate producers (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B: Corrosion — Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Small-lot cast aluminium tooling plate pricing — OnlineMetals / Midwest Steel & Aluminum (2026)
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.