Aluminum AlSiC-9-F (As fabricated)
Temper · default condition
EN AlSiC-9
Standard commercial condition for IGBT baseplates and packages delivered straight from preform infiltration with minimal machining.
Values for the F condition
Other AlSiC-9 tempers and conditions
AlSiC-9 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at AlSiC-9.
- F
- T6
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDefaultThis page As fabricated | Standard commercial condition for IGBT baseplates and packages delivered straight from preform infiltration with minimal machining. | 190 | 210 | 0.4 | 20 HRC | 14 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Choose when the Al-Si-Mg matrix must carry higher stress (bolted flanges, structural heat spreaders); slightly lowers thermal conductivity. | 230 | 250 | 0.3 | 24 HRC | 13 % IACS |
What is AlSiC-9-F?
AlSiC-9-F is AlSiC-9 in the F temper — standard commercial condition for IGBT baseplates and packages delivered straight from preform infiltration with minimal machining. AlSiC-9-F has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) — weaker than 52% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 0.4% and the elastic modulus is 188 GPa (27.3 Msi). AlSiC-9-F has a density of 3.01 g/cm³ (0.109 lb/in³), heavier than 100% of aluminum grades. It melts at 557°C (1,035 °F).
Advantages
- Stiff — 188 GPa (27.3 Msi), better than 100% of aluminum grades
- High service temperature — 350°C (662 °F), better than 100% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 190 W/m·K (109.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 89% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0.4%, worse than 100% of aluminum grades
- Low fracture toughness — 8.5 MPa·√m (7.74 ksi·√in), worse than 100% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 14 % IACS, worse than 100% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 8/100, worse than 100% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 8/100, worse than 100% of aluminum grades
AlSiC-9-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for AlSiC-9-F; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are AlSiC-9 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
AlSiC-9-F has a density of 3.01 g/cm³ (0.109 lb/in³), heavier than 100% of aluminum grades. It melts at 557°C (1,035 °F).
Mechanical16
AlSiC-9-F has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) — weaker than 52% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 0.4% and the elastic modulus is 188 GPa (27.3 Msi).
Thermal5
AlSiC-9-F is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 190 W/m·K (109.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 89% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 8.5 µm/m·K (4.72 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AlSiC-9-F conducts electricity at 14 % IACS, worse than 100% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 51% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AlSiC-9-F takes about 250 MJ of energy and emits 18 kg of CO₂ — more than 98% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
AlSiC-9-F's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of aluminum grades); weldability not recommended (8/100); formability not recommended (3/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with AlSiC-9-F
Is AlSiC-9 easy to machine?
Treat as a ceramic-like material: diamond grinding, lapping, waterjet or EDM; carbide tooling wears out almost immediately, so design for net-shape infiltration with minimal post-machining.
Can AlSiC-9 be welded?
Not fusion weldable in practice — SiC reacts with molten Al to form Al4C3; join by soldering/brazing over an electroless-Ni layer or by mechanical fastening.
Can AlSiC-9 be formed, bent or molded?
No cold or hot forming; geometry (fins, cavities, cast-in inserts) is created in the SiC preform before pressure infiltration.
What surface finishes work on AlSiC-9?
Electroless Ni (3–8 µm) is the default finish, optionally Ni/Au for wire bonding; anodizing is unreliable because SiC particles do not convert.
AlSiC-9 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 |
|---|---|---|
| SiC≈60–65 vol% SiC particulate preform | 62 – 72 | 68 |
| Sifrom Al-Si infiltration alloy (A356/AlSi7-type) | 1.5 – 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Mgwetting/aging addition in matrix | 0.05 – 0.35 | 0.15 |
| Almatrix alloy, ~28–35 wt% | balance | — |
AlSiC-9-F — frequently asked
What is AlSiC-9-F used for?
AlSiC-9-F is typically used for power electronics substrates, RF/microwave packages, IGBT baseplates and LED heat spreaders. In short: CTE matched to semiconductors; net-shape infiltrated composite; 190 W/m·K heat spreader.
What is the yield strength of AlSiC-9-F?
AlSiC-9-F has a typical yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) — weaker than 52% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is AlSiC-9-F easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of aluminum grades). Treat as a ceramic-like material: diamond grinding, lapping, waterjet or EDM; carbide tooling wears out almost immediately, so design for net-shape infiltration with minimal post-machining.
Can AlSiC-9-F be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (8/100). Not fusion weldable in practice — SiC reacts with molten Al to form Al4C3; join by soldering/brazing over an electroless-Ni layer or by mechanical fastening.
What surface finishes work on AlSiC-9-F?
Electroless Ni (3–8 µm) is the default finish, optionally Ni/Au for wire bonding; anodizing is unreliable because SiC particles do not convert.
Can AlSiC-9-F be formed, bent or molded?
No cold or hot forming; geometry (fins, cavities, cast-in inserts) is created in the SiC preform before pressure infiltration.
What is the maximum service temperature of AlSiC-9-F?
AlSiC-9-F is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between AlSiC-9-F and AlSiC-9-T6?
F is the default condition — standard commercial condition for IGBT baseplates and packages delivered straight from preform infiltration with minimal machining. T6: choose when the Al-Si-Mg matrix must carry higher stress (bolted flanges, structural heat spreaders); slightly lowers thermal conductivity. Yield strength is 190 MPa in F versus 230 MPa in T6.
Sources
- AlSiC Metal Matrix Composite Baseplates and Packages — CPS Technologies (2022)
- ASM Handbook, Vol. 21: Composites — ASM International (2001)
- ASM Handbook, Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Metal Matrix Composite thermal management materials review (IMAPS proceedings) — IMAPS (2015)
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.