Aluminum EN AC-45400-T4
Temper · default condition
EN AC-45400
T4 = solution heat treated and naturally aged
Choose when ductility, impact tolerance and pressure-tightness matter more than peak strength.
Values for the T4 condition
Other EN AC-45400 tempers and conditions
EN AC-45400 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at EN AC-45400.
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 |
T4DefaultThis page 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-T4?
EN AC-45400-T4 is EN AC-45400 in the T4 temper — choose when ductility, impact tolerance and pressure-tightness matter more than peak strength. EN AC-45400-T4 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). EN AC-45400-T4 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).
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-T4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN AC-45400-T4; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EN AC-45400 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
EN AC-45400-T4 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-T4 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-T4 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-T4 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-T4 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-T4'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with EN AC-45400-T4
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.
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.
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 | — |
EN AC-45400-T4 — frequently asked
What is EN AC-45400-T4 used for?
EN AC-45400-T4 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-T4?
EN AC-45400-T4 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-T4 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-T4 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-T4?
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-T4 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-T4?
EN AC-45400-T4 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.