Aluminum EN AC-45500
EN AC-45500
EN AC-45500 (AlSi7Cu0.5Mg) is a low-copper Al-Si-Mg casting alloy for sand and gravity die casting, supplied F, T4, T6, T6-S, T64 and T7.
Reference datasheet — EN AC-45500 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 T6 condition
EN AC-45500 tempers and conditions
EN AC-45500 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. T6 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Cheapest route for low-stress, dimensionally stable parts where no heat-treat distortion is acceptable. | 100 | 180 | 3 | 60 HB | 38 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Pick when maximum ductility/impact energy is needed (crash-relevant structural nodes) and full T6 strength is not required. | 130 | 230 | 9 | 70 HB | 36 % IACS |
T6 | Use for larger/low-volume sand castings; coarser dendritic structure gives roughly 20 % lower strength and much lower ductility than die-cast T6. | 180 | 250 | 1.5 | 90 HB | 39 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Use where dimensional stability at 150–200 °C and reduced residual stress matter more than peak strength. | 210 | 260 | 5 | 85 HB | 41 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and under-aged | Chosen for chassis/safety castings that must meet an elongation target while keeping most of the T6 yield strength. | 220 | 290 | 7 | 90 HB | 37.5 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard supply condition for load-bearing gravity-die castings — highest strength/stiffness combination of this alloy. | 280 | 320 | 4 | 100 HB | 39 % IACS |
What is EN AC-45500?
EN AC-45500 (AlSi7Cu0.5Mg) is a low-copper Al-Si-Mg casting alloy for sand and gravity die casting, supplied F, T4, T6, T6-S, T64 and T7. In the default T6 condition it reaches 280 MPa yield, 320 MPa tensile, 4 % elongation and 100 HB with 150 W/m·K and 39 % IACS, which is why it is used for automotive structural castings that must combine strength with some ductility. Service is limited to 150 °C, the 0.5 % Cu still raises hot-cracking risk in weld repair, and machinability is 68 — lower than the higher-Cu EN AC-45100. EN AC-45500 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 555°C (1,031 °F). EN AC-45500 has a yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — stronger than 72% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi).
What is EN AC-45500 used for?
- suspension parts
- steering knuckles
- engine brackets
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
EN AC-45500 properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN AC-45500-T6; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
EN AC-45500 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 555°C (1,031 °F).
Mechanical14
EN AC-45500 has a yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — stronger than 72% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi).
Thermal6
EN AC-45500 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 150 W/m·K (86.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 58% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.5 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EN AC-45500 conducts electricity at 39 % IACS, better than 65% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 51% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EN AC-45500 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
EN AC-45500's machinability is good (68/100, better than 67% of aluminum grades); weldability good (55/100).
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-45500 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with EN AC-45500
Is EN AC-45500 easy to machine?
Machines well in T6 with PCD or polished-flute carbide, high speed and flood coolant; Si particles abrade uncoated HSS and the alloy is gummy in the F/T4 condition.
Can EN AC-45500 be welded?
TIG/MIG repair-weldable with 4043 or 4047 filler; the 0.5 % Cu increases hot-cracking sensitivity, so preheat modestly and re-solution/re-age critical joints.
Can EN AC-45500 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity for sand and gravity-die (permanent mould) casting; Sr or Na modification plus Ti grain refinement, good feeding and low H₂ content are essential to reach T6 elongation targets.
EN AC-45500 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 | 6.5 – 7.5 | 7 |
| Cu | 0.35 – 0.65 | 0.5 |
| Mg | 0.25 – 0.45 | 0.35 |
| Felow-Fe requirement for ductility | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Tigrain refinement | 0.1 – 0.18 | 0.14 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.07 | |
| others (each)total ≤ 0.10 % | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on EN AC-45500?
Takes primer/powder paint and chromate-free conversion coats well; decorative anodizing is dull grey because of Si+Cu, so hard anodize only for wear surfaces and use shot-blast or paint for appearance.
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-45500 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AC-45500AlSi7Cu0.5Mg
How much does EN AC-45500 cost?
EN AC-45500 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-45500 — frequently asked
What is EN AC-45500 used for?
EN AC-45500 is typically used for suspension parts, steering knuckles and engine brackets. In short: highest T6 strength here; structural automotive casting alloy; ductility plus 320 MPa tensile.
What is the yield strength of EN AC-45500?
EN AC-45500 has a typical yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — stronger than 72% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is EN AC-45500 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 67% of aluminum grades). Machines well in T6 with PCD or polished-flute carbide, high speed and flood coolant; Si particles abrade uncoated HSS and the alloy is gummy in the F/T4 condition.
Can EN AC-45500 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). TIG/MIG repair-weldable with 4043 or 4047 filler; the 0.5 % Cu increases hot-cracking sensitivity, so preheat modestly and re-solution/re-age critical joints.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-45500?
Takes primer/powder paint and chromate-free conversion coats well; decorative anodizing is dull grey because of Si+Cu, so hard anodize only for wear surfaces and use shot-blast or paint for appearance.
Can EN AC-45500 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity for sand and gravity-die (permanent mould) casting; Sr or Na modification plus Ti grain refinement, good feeding and low H₂ content are essential to reach T6 elongation targets.
What is the maximum service temperature of EN AC-45500?
EN AC-45500 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-45500-T6 and EN AC-45500-F?
T6 is the default condition — standard supply condition for load-bearing gravity-die castings — highest strength/stiffness combination of this alloy. F: cheapest route for low-stress, dimensionally stable parts where no heat-treat distortion is acceptable. Yield strength is 280 MPa in T6 versus 100 MPa in F.
How much does EN AC-45500 cost?
EN AC-45500 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 (Al-Si casting alloys A356/A357) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 15 — Casting — ASM International (2008)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Foundry alloy datasheets for AlSi7Cu0.5Mg / AlSi7Mg0.3 structural castings — Rheinfelden Alloys / Trimet (2020)
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.