Aluminum EN AC-45400
EN AC-45400
EN AC-45400 (AlSi5Cu3) is a copper-bearing Al-Si sand and permanent-mould casting alloy offered in F, T4, T5 and T6; the default T4 condition trades peak strength for toughness.
Reference datasheet — EN AC-45400 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-45400 tempers and conditions
EN AC-45400 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. T4 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Lowest-cost condition for non-critical or dimensionally sensitive parts where no heat treatment distortion is acceptable. | 95 | 165 | 1.5 | 70 HB | 31 % IACS |
T4Default Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Choose when ductility, impact tolerance and pressure-tightness matter more than peak strength. | 130 | 250 | 6 | 80 HB | 26 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Low-distortion, low-cost strengthening step when a full solution treatment is not wanted. | 145 | 205 | 2 | 85 HB | 30 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Pick for maximum strength and hardness in structurally loaded castings, accepting low elongation. | 225 | 285 | 1.5 | 105 HB | 29 % IACS |
What is EN AC-45400?
EN AC-45400 (AlSi5Cu3) is a copper-bearing Al-Si sand and permanent-mould casting alloy offered in F, T4, T5 and T6; the default T4 condition trades peak strength for toughness. Typical T4 values are 130 MPa yield, 250 MPa tensile, 6 % elongation, 80 HB, 110 W/m·K and 26 % IACS, which suits pressure-tight and structurally loaded castings that see impact or assembly strain. Service is limited to 150 °C, the ~3 % Cu makes it hot-crack sensitive and lowers corrosion resistance, and machinability is moderate at 68; EN AC-45300 is the nearest lower-Cu alternative. EN AC-45400 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 525°C (977 °F). EN AC-45400 has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi).
What is EN AC-45400 used for?
- gearbox housings
- brake components
- hydraulic fittings
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 10 kg CO₂/kg, better than 95% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 26 % IACS, worse than 90% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 110 W/m·K (63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 38/100, worse than 79% of aluminum grades
EN AC-45400 properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN AC-45400-T4; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
EN AC-45400 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 525°C (977 °F).
Mechanical12
EN AC-45400 has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi).
Thermal6
EN AC-45400 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-45400 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, worse than 90% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (38/100), worse than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EN AC-45400 takes about 150 MJ of energy and emits 10 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 80%.
Manufacturability8
EN AC-45400's machinability is good (68/100, better than 67% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
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-45400 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with EN AC-45400
Is EN AC-45400 easy to machine?
Machines well with carbide/PCD tooling and high speeds; Cu improves chip breaking, eutectic Si is abrasive so PCD is preferred for volume work.
Can EN AC-45400 be welded?
Weldable by TIG/MIG with Al-Si filler (4043/4047) only for repair — the ~3 % Cu makes it hot-crack sensitive and reduces joint corrosion resistance.
Can EN AC-45400 be formed, bent or molded?
Gravity sand and permanent-mould casting alloy with good fluidity and feeding; use chills and risers on heavy sections, then solution treat ~505–515 °C and quench for T4/T6.
EN AC-45400 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sifluidity / eutectic strengthening | 4.5 – 6 | 5.2 |
| Cuage-hardening, machinability | 2.6 – 3.6 | 3.1 |
| Felower limit for permanent-mould castings | ≤ 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.55 | 0.3 |
| Mg | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.55 | |
| Pb | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Sn | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Tigrain refinement | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on EN AC-45400?
Take paint/powder coat or chromate-free conversion coatings well; decorative anodising is poor (dark mottled film) — use hard anodise or coating for wear/corrosion duty.
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-45400 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AC-45400AlSi5Cu3
How much does EN AC-45400 cost?
EN AC-45400 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-45400 — frequently asked
What is EN AC-45400 used for?
EN AC-45400 is typically used for gearbox housings, brake components and hydraulic fittings. In short: highest ductility of the Cu-Si casts; solution-treated T4 toughness; 150 °C service ceiling.
What is the yield strength of EN AC-45400?
EN AC-45400 has a typical yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — weaker than 73% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is EN AC-45400 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 67% of aluminum grades). Machines well with carbide/PCD tooling and high speeds; Cu improves chip breaking, eutectic Si is abrasive so PCD is preferred for volume work.
Can EN AC-45400 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Weldable by TIG/MIG with Al-Si filler (4043/4047) only for repair — the ~3 % Cu makes it hot-crack sensitive and reduces joint corrosion resistance.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-45400?
Take paint/powder coat or chromate-free conversion coatings well; decorative anodising is poor (dark mottled film) — use hard anodise or coating for wear/corrosion duty.
Can EN AC-45400 be formed, bent or molded?
Gravity sand and permanent-mould casting alloy with good fluidity and feeding; use chills and risers on heavy sections, then solution treat ~505–515 °C and quench for T4/T6.
What is the maximum service temperature of EN AC-45400?
EN AC-45400 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-45400-T4 and EN AC-45400-T6?
T4 is the default condition — choose when ductility, impact tolerance and pressure-tightness matter more than peak strength. T6: pick for maximum strength and hardness in structurally loaded castings, accepting low elongation. Yield strength is 130 MPa in T4 versus 225 MPa in T6.
How much does EN AC-45400 cost?
EN AC-45400 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)
- EN 1676 — Aluminium alloy ingots for remelting — CEN (2020)
- 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)
- European foundry alloy datasheets (AlSi5Cu3 gravity casting) — various EU secondary aluminium producers (2023)
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.