Aluminum EN AC-45500-T6
Temper · default condition
EN AC-45500
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Standard supply condition for load-bearing gravity-die castings — highest strength/stiffness combination of this alloy.
Values for the T6 condition
Other EN AC-45500 tempers and conditions
EN AC-45500 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at EN AC-45500.
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 |
T6DefaultThis page 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-T6?
EN AC-45500-T6 is EN AC-45500 in the T6 temper — standard supply condition for load-bearing gravity-die castings — highest strength/stiffness combination of this alloy. EN AC-45500-T6 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). EN AC-45500-T6 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).
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
EN AC-45500-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN AC-45500-T6; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EN AC-45500 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
EN AC-45500-T6 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-T6 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-T6 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-T6 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-T6 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-T6'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with EN AC-45500-T6
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.
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.
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 | — |
EN AC-45500-T6 — frequently asked
What is EN AC-45500-T6 used for?
EN AC-45500-T6 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-T6?
EN AC-45500-T6 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-T6 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-T6 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-T6?
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-T6 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-T6?
EN AC-45500-T6 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.