Aluminum EN AC-21000
EN AC-21000
EN AC-21000 (AlCu4MgTi; also ZL201, A201.0) is an Al-Cu-Mg-Ti sand and investment casting alloy, copper-strengthened with titanium grain refinement and supplied F, T4, T6, T64 or T7.
Reference datasheet — EN AC-21000 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 T4 condition
EN AC-21000 tempers and conditions
EN AC-21000 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. T4 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Rarely used commercially; only for non-structural parts or as the delivery state before customer heat treatment. | 95 | 170 | 2 | 62 HB | 35 % IACS |
T4Default Solution heat treated and naturally aged | The standard EN 1706 delivery condition: best combination of strength, ductility and toughness for structural aerospace and motorsport castings. | 210 | 320 | 7 | 92 HB | 30 % IACS |
Solution treated and under-aged for high toughness | Under-aged compromise used on 201/206-type castings when both high strength and damage tolerance (elongation, K_IC) are required. | 275 | 370 | 8 | 105 HB | 32 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Pick for dimensional stability, elevated-temperature service and improved resistance to stress-corrosion cracking, at some loss of peak strength. | 295 | 350 | 5 | 105 HB | 35 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Choose when maximum yield strength and hardness are needed and reduced ductility/toughness is acceptable. | 320 | 390 | 3 | 115 HB | 33 % IACS |
What is EN AC-21000?
EN AC-21000 (AlCu4MgTi; also ZL201, A201.0) is an Al-Cu-Mg-Ti sand and investment casting alloy, copper-strengthened with titanium grain refinement and supplied F, T4, T6, T64 or T7. It is used for structural aerospace and defense castings needing 210 MPa yield, 320 MPa tensile and 7% elongation together with a machinability score of 78. Corrosion resistance is low (score 33), service is limited to about 150 °C, and hot-tearing sensitivity plus poor fusion weldability make the alloy demanding to cast and repair. EN AC-42100 (A356.0) is the usual alternative when castability and corrosion resistance outweigh strength. EN AC-21000 has a density of 2.8 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of aluminum grades. It melts at 548°C (1,018 °F). EN AC-21000 has a yield strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — stronger than 56% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is EN AC-21000 used for?
- aerospace structural castings
- military hardware
- high-strength brackets
- gearbox housings
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 78/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 32 MPa·√m (29.1 ksi·√in), better than 83% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 33/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 112 W/m·K (64.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
EN AC-21000 properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN AC-21000-T4; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
EN AC-21000 has a density of 2.8 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of aluminum grades. It melts at 548°C (1,018 °F).
Mechanical12
EN AC-21000 has a yield strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — stronger than 56% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
EN AC-21000 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 112 W/m·K (64.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21 µm/m·K (11.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EN AC-21000 conducts electricity at 30 % IACS, worse than 73% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (33/100), worse than 91% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EN AC-21000 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability8
EN AC-21000's machinability is very good (78/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); 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. EN AC-21000 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with EN AC-21000
Is EN AC-21000 easy to machine?
Machines very well with sharp carbide/PCD tooling, high speed and flood coolant; rough after solution treatment and finish after ageing to control distortion.
Can EN AC-21000 be welded?
Poor fusion weldability — high hot-tearing sensitivity; if repair is unavoidable use TIG with 2319 (Al-6Cu) filler on preheated parts followed by full re-solution + re-age.
Can EN AC-21000 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand, investment and gravity permanent-mould casting only; needs strong directional solidification, generous risering/chills, low Si-Fe virgin metal and tight degassing to avoid hot tears and shrink porosity.
EN AC-21000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cumain strengthening element (θ'-Al2Cu) | 4.2 – 5 | 4.6 |
| Mg | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Tigrain refinement | 0.15 – 0.3 | 0.22 |
| Sikept very low to avoid Cu2Mg2Si and loss of ductility | ≤ 0.18 | 0.08 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.19 | 0.1 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.07 | |
| Pb | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Sn | ≤ 0.05 | |
| others (each)total ≤ 0.10 | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on EN AC-21000?
Chromate/chromate-free conversion coating plus primer/paint is the usual protection; sulfuric or hard anodizing works but gives dark non-uniform colour, and cladding-free Cu content makes it unsuitable for bright decorative finishes.
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 EN AC-21000 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does EN AC-21000 cost?
EN AC-21000 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
EN AC-21000 — frequently asked
What is EN AC-21000 used for?
EN AC-21000 is typically used for aerospace structural castings, military hardware, high-strength brackets and gearbox housings. In short: highest-strength cast Al-Cu; aerospace sand-casting alloy; difficult to cast.
What is the yield strength of EN AC-21000?
EN AC-21000 has a typical yield strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — stronger than 56% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is EN AC-21000 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (78/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades). Machines very well with sharp carbide/PCD tooling, high speed and flood coolant; rough after solution treatment and finish after ageing to control distortion.
Can EN AC-21000 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Poor fusion weldability — high hot-tearing sensitivity; if repair is unavoidable use TIG with 2319 (Al-6Cu) filler on preheated parts followed by full re-solution + re-age.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-21000?
Chromate/chromate-free conversion coating plus primer/paint is the usual protection; sulfuric or hard anodizing works but gives dark non-uniform colour, and cladding-free Cu content makes it unsuitable for bright decorative finishes.
Can EN AC-21000 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand, investment and gravity permanent-mould casting only; needs strong directional solidification, generous risering/chills, low Si-Fe virgin metal and tight degassing to avoid hot tears and shrink porosity.
What is the maximum service temperature of EN AC-21000?
EN AC-21000 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 EN AC-21000-T4 and EN AC-21000-F?
T4 is the default condition — the standard EN 1706 delivery condition: best combination of strength, ductility and toughness for structural aerospace and motorsport castings. F: rarely used commercially; only for non-structural parts or as the delivery state before customer heat treatment. Yield strength is 210 MPa in T4 versus 95 MPa in F.
How much does EN AC-21000 cost?
EN AC-21000 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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
- EN 1706 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys, castings, chemical composition and mechanical properties — CEN (2020)
- DIN 1725-2 G-AlCu4TiMg (3.1371) — DIN (1986)
- GB/T 1173 (ZL201/ZAlCu5Mn) — SAC (2013)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 15 — Casting — ASM International (2008)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- ASTM B26/B26M — Aluminum-Alloy Sand Castings (201.0/A201.0) — ASTM (2018)
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.