Aluminum EN AC-45000 F (K)
Temper
EN AC-45000
F (K) = as-cast, permanent (chill) mould
Same as-cast chemistry but chill-cast: finer structure gives ~20% higher strength and hardness at equal cost per part in volume.
Values for the F (K) condition
Other EN AC-45000 tempers and conditions
EN AC-45000 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at EN AC-45000.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDefault As fabricated | Default, cheapest condition: general machinery, housings and covers where moderate strength and good machinability suffice. | 100 | 170 | 1.5 | 70 HB | 27 % IACS |
F (K)This page As-cast, permanent (chill) mould | Same as-cast chemistry but chill-cast: finer structure gives ~20% higher strength and hardness at equal cost per part in volume. | 115 | 200 | 2 | 80 HB | 27 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Low-cost ageing only (no solution treatment): raises yield and hardness and stabilises dimensions without distortion risk. | 140 | 205 | 1.5 | 80 HB | 28 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Over-aged for dimensional and thermal stability at elevated temperature, trading ~15% strength versus T6. | 150 | 215 | 2.5 | 80 HB | 28 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Highest strength and hardness condition; pick for loaded brackets, pump/engine parts, but expect quench distortion and no ductility gain. | 175 | 250 | 2 | 90 HB | 26 % IACS |
What is EN AC-45000 F (K)?
EN AC-45000 F (K) is EN AC-45000 in the F (K) temper — same as-cast chemistry but chill-cast: finer structure gives ~20% higher strength and hardness at equal cost per part in volume. EN AC-45000 F (K) has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 79% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 74 GPa (10.7 Msi). EN AC-45000 F (K) has a density of 2.77 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), heavier than 71% of aluminum grades. It melts at 520°C (968 °F). F is the default condition FabDigit quotes; F (K) is available on request or by drawing note.
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 110 W/m·K (63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 87% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 27 % IACS, worse than 86% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 35/100, worse than 85% of aluminum grades
EN AC-45000 F (K) properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN AC-45000 F (K); 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EN AC-45000 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
EN AC-45000 F (K) has a density of 2.77 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), heavier than 71% of aluminum grades. It melts at 520°C (968 °F).
Mechanical13
EN AC-45000 F (K) has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 79% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 74 GPa (10.7 Msi).
Thermal6
EN AC-45000 F (K) is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 110 W/m·K (63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.5 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EN AC-45000 F (K) conducts electricity at 27 % IACS, worse than 86% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 85% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EN AC-45000 F (K) takes about 190 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 89% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability6
EN AC-45000 F (K)'s machinability is very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with EN AC-45000 F (K)
Is EN AC-45000 easy to machine?
Machines well with carbide or PCD (Si is abrasive) — high speeds, sharp positive-rake tools, flood coolant; Cu-bearing matrix breaks chips better than AlSi7Mg.
Can EN AC-45000 be welded?
Not recommended for structural fusion welding — the 3–5% Cu causes hot cracking and porosity; repair by TIG with 4145/4047 filler or use mechanical joining/adhesives.
Can EN AC-45000 be formed, bent or molded?
Good fluidity for sand, permanent-mould and low-pressure casting; use chills and directional solidification to control shrinkage porosity, Sr/Na modification plus Ti-B refinement for better properties.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-45000?
Anodizing gives dark, non-uniform films (Cu + Si) — prefer chromate/phosphate conversion, powder coat or paint; can be electroless-nickel or zinc plated after careful pre-etch.
EN AC-45000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Si | 5 – 7 | 6 |
| Cu | 3 – 5 | 4 |
| Feimpurity limit; higher Fe cuts ductility | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.65 | 0.4 |
| Mg | ≤ 0.55 | 0.2 |
| Zntolerated from secondary scrap | ≤ 2 | 0.5 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.45 | — |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Sn | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Others (each)total ≤ 0.15 | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
EN AC-45000 F (K) — frequently asked
What is EN AC-45000 F (K) used for?
EN AC-45000 F (K) is typically used for engine components, cylinder heads and general castings requiring machinability. In short: best-machining Al-Si casting alloy; heat-treatable Al-Si-Cu; lower corrosion resistance than AlSi7Mg.
What is the yield strength of EN AC-45000 F (K)?
EN AC-45000 F (K) has a typical yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 79% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is EN AC-45000 F (K) easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades). Machines well with carbide or PCD (Si is abrasive) — high speeds, sharp positive-rake tools, flood coolant; Cu-bearing matrix breaks chips better than AlSi7Mg.
Can EN AC-45000 F (K) be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Not recommended for structural fusion welding — the 3–5% Cu causes hot cracking and porosity; repair by TIG with 4145/4047 filler or use mechanical joining/adhesives.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-45000 F (K)?
Anodizing gives dark, non-uniform films (Cu + Si) — prefer chromate/phosphate conversion, powder coat or paint; can be electroless-nickel or zinc plated after careful pre-etch.
Can EN AC-45000 F (K) be formed, bent or molded?
Good fluidity for sand, permanent-mould and low-pressure casting; use chills and directional solidification to control shrinkage porosity, Sr/Na modification plus Ti-B refinement for better properties.
What is the maximum service temperature of EN AC-45000 F (K)?
EN AC-45000 F (K) 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-45000-F and EN AC-45000-T6?
F is the default condition — default, cheapest condition: general machinery, housings and covers where moderate strength and good machinability suffice. T6: highest strength and hardness condition; pick for loaded brackets, pump/engine parts, but expect quench distortion and no ductility gain. Yield strength is 100 MPa in F versus 175 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 (319.0/A319.0 data) — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM B26/B26M — Aluminum-Alloy Sand Castings; ASTM B108 — Permanent Mold Castings — ASTM (2018)
- Aluminum Association registered casting alloy data (319.0 series) — The Aluminum Association (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.