Aluminum EN AC-43400-T6
Temper
EN AC-43400
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Only for vacuum-assisted or pore-free castings; gives the highest strength but conventional HPDC parts blister at solution temperature.
Values for the T6 condition
Other EN AC-43400 tempers and conditions
EN AC-43400 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at EN AC-43400.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDefault As fabricated | Standard supply condition for EN AC-43400; use for thin-wall HPDC housings and brackets where die life and fill are more critical than ductility. | 155 | 260 | 2 | 75 HB | 27 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Low-temperature ageing (typically ~160–180 °C) of the die casting to raise yield strength and stabilise dimensions without the blistering risk of solution treatment. | 195 | 280 | 1.5 | 85 HB | 29 % IACS |
T6This page Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Only for vacuum-assisted or pore-free castings; gives the highest strength but conventional HPDC parts blister at solution temperature. | 230 | 310 | 3 | 95 HB | 30 % IACS |
What is EN AC-43400-T6?
EN AC-43400-T6 is EN AC-43400 in the T6 temper — only for vacuum-assisted or pore-free castings; gives the highest strength but conventional HPDC parts blister at solution temperature. EN AC-43400-T6 has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 60% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 73 GPa (10.6 Msi). EN AC-43400-T6 has a density of 2.66 g/cm³ (0.0961 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of aluminum grades. It melts at 557°C (1,035 °F). F is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T6 is available on request or by drawing note.
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
EN AC-43400-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN AC-43400-T6; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EN AC-43400 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
EN AC-43400-T6 has a density of 2.66 g/cm³ (0.0961 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of aluminum grades. It melts at 557°C (1,035 °F).
Mechanical14
EN AC-43400-T6 has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 60% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 73 GPa (10.6 Msi).
Thermal6
EN AC-43400-T6 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 145 W/m·K (83.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 53% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21 µm/m·K (11.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EN AC-43400-T6 conducts electricity at 30 % IACS, worse than 73% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (52/100), worse than 55% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EN AC-43400-T6 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability6
EN AC-43400-T6's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with EN AC-43400-T6
Is EN AC-43400 easy to machine?
Machines easily but the eutectic Si is abrasive — use PCD or polished-flute carbide, high speed, low feed pressure; watch for subsurface porosity when machining sealing faces.
Can EN AC-43400 be welded?
Poor for fusion welding of conventional HPDC due to entrapped gas blistering; use FSW, cold-metal-transfer with ER4043/ER4047, mechanical joining or adhesive bonding instead.
Can EN AC-43400 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent HPDC alloy: high fluidity for <2 mm walls, low hot-tearing risk, and the elevated Fe content markedly reduces die soldering and ejection problems.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-43400?
Best finished by chromate-free conversion coating, e-coat or powder coat; decorative anodizing gives a dark grey mottled film, and porosity can require impregnation before plating.
EN AC-43400 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-forming, gives HPDC fluidity | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Fedeliberately raised to suppress die soldering | 0.45 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Mnmodifies Fe-phase morphology | ≤ 0.55 | 0.3 |
| MgMg2Si age-hardening | 0.2 – 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Pb | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Sn | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Tigrain refinement | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
EN AC-43400-T6 — frequently asked
What is EN AC-43400-T6 used for?
EN AC-43400-T6 is typically used for die-cast automotive housings, gearbox covers and high-volume die castings. In short: high-iron HPDC grade; minimal die soldering; poor fusion weldability.
What is the yield strength of EN AC-43400-T6?
EN AC-43400-T6 has a typical yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 60% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is EN AC-43400-T6 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades). Machines easily but the eutectic Si is abrasive — use PCD or polished-flute carbide, high speed, low feed pressure; watch for subsurface porosity when machining sealing faces.
Can EN AC-43400-T6 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Poor for fusion welding of conventional HPDC due to entrapped gas blistering; use FSW, cold-metal-transfer with ER4043/ER4047, mechanical joining or adhesive bonding instead.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-43400-T6?
Best finished by chromate-free conversion coating, e-coat or powder coat; decorative anodizing gives a dark grey mottled film, and porosity can require impregnation before plating.
Can EN AC-43400-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent HPDC alloy: high fluidity for <2 mm walls, low hot-tearing risk, and the elevated Fe content markedly reduces die soldering and ejection problems.
What is the maximum service temperature of EN AC-43400-T6?
EN AC-43400-T6 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-43400-F and EN AC-43400-T6?
F is the default condition — standard supply condition for EN AC-43400; use for thin-wall HPDC housings and brackets where die life and fill are more critical than ductility. T6: only for vacuum-assisted or pore-free castings; gives the highest strength but conventional HPDC parts blister at solution temperature. Yield strength is 155 MPa in F versus 230 MPa in T6.
Sources
- EN 1706 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys: Castings — Chemical composition and mechanical properties — CEN (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 15 — Casting — ASM International (2008)
- Die-casting alloy datasheets (AlSi10Mg / AlSi10Mg(Fe)) — European secondary aluminium producers (2022)
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.