Aluminum EN AC-42100
EN AC-42100
EN AC-42100 (AlSi7Mg0.3) is the European designation for the controlled-purity, low-Mg Al-Si-Mg casting alloy also known as A356.0, ZL101A and AC4C, strengthened by Mg2Si precipitation in T5 to T7 tempers.
Reference datasheet — EN AC-42100 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 T6 condition
EN AC-42100 tempers and conditions
EN AC-42100 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. T6 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Lowest-cost condition for non-structural or dimensionally critical parts where no heat treatment is applied. | 85 | 170 | 4 | 55 HB | 43 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Modest strength gain without solution treatment; used when distortion from quenching must be avoided. | 125 | 195 | 3 | 65 HB | 41 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Over-aged for dimensional stability and reduced residual stress at slightly elevated service temperature, at the cost of yield strength. | 180 | 225 | 6 | 70 HB | 42 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and under-aged | Choose when energy absorption, riveting/crimping or crash ductility matters more than peak yield strength (chassis and safety-critical castings). | 195 | 265 | 10 | 85 HB | 42 % IACS |
T6 variant, underaged | Long solution soak with fine Si spheroidisation — higher strength and ductility together, used for premium permanent-mould aerospace castings. | 207 | 283 | 10 | 90 HB | 40 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard structural condition: maximum strength and hardness with acceptable ductility — the default for wheels, knuckles and aerospace castings. | 230 | 295 | 6 | 95 HB | 39 % IACS |
What is EN AC-42100?
EN AC-42100 (AlSi7Mg0.3) is the European designation for the controlled-purity, low-Mg Al-Si-Mg casting alloy also known as A356.0, ZL101A and AC4C, strengthened by Mg2Si precipitation in T5 to T7 tempers. In T6 it gives 230 MPa yield, 295 MPa tensile, 6% elongation and 95 HB with good fluidity, weldability (score 75) and corrosion resistance (70), and it is cast by sand, permanent-mould, low-pressure and investment routes. Service temperature is limited to about 150 °C, and the 7% eutectic silicon makes decorative anodizing dark and uneven. For higher strength, 354.0 is the nearest alternative, at the cost of weldability and ductility. EN AC-42100 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 557°C (1,035 °F). EN AC-42100 has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — stronger than 60% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 72.5 GPa (10.5 Msi).
What is EN AC-42100 used for?
- wheels
- suspension components
- engine housings
- aerospace structural castings
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 10.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 70/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
EN AC-42100 properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN AC-42100-T6; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
EN AC-42100 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 557°C (1,035 °F).
Mechanical14
EN AC-42100 has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — stronger than 60% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 72.5 GPa (10.5 Msi).
Thermal6
EN AC-42100 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 151 W/m·K (87.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 63% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.5 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EN AC-42100 conducts electricity at 39 % IACS, better than 65% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EN AC-42100 takes about 155 MJ of energy and emits 10.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 94% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
EN AC-42100's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability poor (15/100).
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-42100 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with EN AC-42100
Is EN AC-42100 easy to machine?
Machines freely with sharp PCD or polished-flute carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; eutectic Si is abrasive so uncoated HSS wears quickly.
Can EN AC-42100 be welded?
Readily TIG/MIG welded with ER4043 or ER4047 (ER5356 for anodised colour match is not recommended); re-solution + age locally softened T6 castings for full properties.
Can EN AC-42100 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity for sand, permanent-mould, low-pressure and investment casting; Sr modification plus Al-Ti-B grain refinement and directional solidification give low porosity and high T6 ductility. Not a wrought alloy — no cold forming.
EN AC-42100 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, Sr or Na modified in practice | 6.5 – 7.5 | 7 |
| MgMg2Si precipitation hardening | 0.25 – 0.45 | 0.35 |
| Fe0.15 max for sand/permanent mould premium quality | ≤ 0.19 | 0.12 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.07 | |
| Tigrain refinement (Al-Ti-B) | 0.08 – 0.25 | 0.13 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on EN AC-42100?
Chromate-free conversion coating, primer/paint or powder coat are the usual finishes; sulphuric or hard anodizing gives a dark grey, less uniform layer due to 7% Si; shot peening raises fatigue life.
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-42100 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does EN AC-42100 cost?
EN AC-42100 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.
EN AC-42100 — frequently asked
What is EN AC-42100 used for?
EN AC-42100 is typically used for wheels, suspension components, engine housings and aerospace structural castings. In short: workhorse Al-Si-Mg casting alloy; weldable and heat treatable; good corrosion resistance.
What is the yield strength of EN AC-42100?
EN AC-42100 has a typical yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — stronger than 60% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is EN AC-42100 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades). Machines freely with sharp PCD or polished-flute carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; eutectic Si is abrasive so uncoated HSS wears quickly.
Can EN AC-42100 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Readily TIG/MIG welded with ER4043 or ER4047 (ER5356 for anodised colour match is not recommended); re-solution + age locally softened T6 castings for full properties.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-42100?
Chromate-free conversion coating, primer/paint or powder coat are the usual finishes; sulphuric or hard anodizing gives a dark grey, less uniform layer due to 7% Si; shot peening raises fatigue life.
Can EN AC-42100 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity for sand, permanent-mould, low-pressure and investment casting; Sr modification plus Al-Ti-B grain refinement and directional solidification give low porosity and high T6 ductility. Not a wrought alloy — no cold forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of EN AC-42100?
EN AC-42100 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-42100-T6 and EN AC-42100-F?
T6 is the default condition — standard structural condition: maximum strength and hardness with acceptable ductility — the default for wheels, knuckles and aerospace castings. F: lowest-cost condition for non-structural or dimensionally critical parts where no heat treatment is applied. Yield strength is 230 MPa in T6 versus 85 MPa in F.
How much does EN AC-42100 cost?
EN AC-42100 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
- EN 1706 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Castings — Chemical composition and mechanical properties — CEN (2020)
- ASTM B26/B26M & B108/B108M (A356.0 sand and permanent mould castings) — ASTM International (2022)
- GB/T 1173 (ZL101A) — SAC (2013)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys — ASM International (1993)
- Aluminum Association Teal Sheets — Designations and chemical composition limits for aluminum alloys in the form of castings and ingot — The Aluminum Association (2019)
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.