Aluminum EN AC-44500 F-THK
Finish state
EN AC-44500
Use for design allowables in heavy sections or hot-spot zones, where coarse eutectic and porosity drop strength and ductility toward the EN 1706 minima.
Values for the F-THK condition
Other EN AC-44500 tempers and conditions
EN AC-44500 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at EN AC-44500.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F-THKThis page F | Use for design allowables in heavy sections or hot-spot zones, where coarse eutectic and porosity drop strength and ductility toward the EN 1706 minima. | 130 | 235 | 1.2 | 58 HB | 31.5 % IACS |
Stress relieved | Choose for precision machined housings that must stay dimensionally stable; a low-temperature bake relieves casting and machining stresses at a small strength penalty (blister-free, unlike T6). | 130 | 245 | 2.5 | 60 HB | 31 % IACS |
FDefault As fabricated | Standard supply condition for EN AC-44500: as-cast HPDC parts, typical 2–4 mm wall, no heat treatment. | 140 | 260 | 2 | 65 HB | 30 % IACS |
F | Pick when the casting is a thin-wall, rapidly solidified section — fine eutectic gives higher strength and slightly better ductility than thick sections. | 160 | 300 | 3 | 70 HB | 29 % IACS |
What is EN AC-44500 F-THK?
EN AC-44500 F-THK is EN AC-44500 supplied in the F-THK condition — use for design allowables in heavy sections or hot-spot zones, where coarse eutectic and porosity drop strength and ductility toward the EN 1706 minima. EN AC-44500 F-THK has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1.2% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi). EN AC-44500 F-THK has a density of 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F). F is the default condition FabDigit quotes; F-THK is available on request or by drawing note.
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 13 MPa·√m (11.8 ksi·√in), worse than 98% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 1.2%, worse than 93% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
EN AC-44500 F-THK properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN AC-44500 F-THK; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EN AC-44500 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
EN AC-44500 F-THK has a density of 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F).
Mechanical13
EN AC-44500 F-THK has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1.2% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
EN AC-44500 F-THK is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 137 W/m·K (79.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 57% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 20.5 µm/m·K (11.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EN AC-44500 F-THK conducts electricity at 31.5 % IACS, worse than 66% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (56/100), better than 52% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EN AC-44500 F-THK takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 90%.
Manufacturability8
EN AC-44500 F-THK's machinability is fair (48/100, worse than 68% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with EN AC-44500 F-THK
Is EN AC-44500 easy to machine?
Machines cleanly at high speed but the eutectic Si is abrasive — use PCD or polished-flute carbide, high rpm, flood or MQL coolant; avoid deep cuts into as-cast skin porosity.
Can EN AC-44500 be welded?
Fusion welding of HPDC parts is unreliable (entrapped gas blisters); use ER4047/AlSi12 filler for repairs on low-porosity zones, otherwise join by mechanical fastening, self-pierce riveting, or adhesive.
Can EN AC-44500 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent HPDC alloy: near-eutectic freezing range, high fluidity for 1–2 mm walls, low hot-tearing, and the 0.45–1.1% Fe strongly reduces die soldering and extends die life; do not solution heat treat (blistering).
What surface finishes work on EN AC-44500?
Best finished with chromate-free conversion coating plus powder/wet paint; decorative anodizing turns dark grey and patchy, hard anodize only where wear demands it; shot blasting or vibratory finishing evens out the cast skin.
EN AC-44500 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sinear-eutectic, drives fluidity | 10.5 – 13.5 | 12 |
| Fedeliberate Fe addition to suppress die soldering | 0.45 – 1.1 | 0.8 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.55 | 0.3 |
| Mg | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Sn | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (each)total ≤0.15 | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
EN AC-44500 F-THK — frequently asked
What is EN AC-44500 F-THK used for?
EN AC-44500 F-THK is typically used for high-pressure die castings, automotive housings and consumer product housings. In short: standard European HPDC alloy; fe content limits die soldering; thin walls at high volume.
What is the yield strength of EN AC-44500 F-THK?
EN AC-44500 F-THK has a typical yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 73% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is EN AC-44500 F-THK easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, worse than 68% of aluminum grades). Machines cleanly at high speed but the eutectic Si is abrasive — use PCD or polished-flute carbide, high rpm, flood or MQL coolant; avoid deep cuts into as-cast skin porosity.
Can EN AC-44500 F-THK be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Fusion welding of HPDC parts is unreliable (entrapped gas blisters); use ER4047/AlSi12 filler for repairs on low-porosity zones, otherwise join by mechanical fastening, self-pierce riveting, or adhesive.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-44500 F-THK?
Best finished with chromate-free conversion coating plus powder/wet paint; decorative anodizing turns dark grey and patchy, hard anodize only where wear demands it; shot blasting or vibratory finishing evens out the cast skin.
Can EN AC-44500 F-THK be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent HPDC alloy: near-eutectic freezing range, high fluidity for 1–2 mm walls, low hot-tearing, and the 0.45–1.1% Fe strongly reduces die soldering and extends die life; do not solution heat treat (blistering).
What is the maximum service temperature of EN AC-44500 F-THK?
EN AC-44500 F-THK 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-44500-F and EN AC-44500 F-TW?
F is the default condition — standard supply condition for EN AC-44500: as-cast HPDC parts, typical 2–4 mm wall, no heat treatment. F-TW: pick when the casting is a thin-wall, rapidly solidified section — fine eutectic gives higher strength and slightly better ductility than thick sections. Yield strength is 140 MPa in F versus 160 MPa in F-TW.
Sources
- EN 1706 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Castings — Chemical composition and mechanical properties — CEN (2020)
- EN 1676 — Aluminium alloy ingots for remelting — CEN (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (A413.0/Al-Si12 data) — ASM International (1990)
- Rheinfelden Alloys / Trimet die-casting alloy datasheets (AlSi12(Fe)) — Rheinfelden Alloys, Trimet Aluminium (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion of aluminium alloys — ASM International (2005)
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.