Aluminum EN AC-46000
EN AC-46000 · ASTM 380.0
EN AC-46000 (AlSi9Cu3(Fe), A380.0, AC4B, ZAlSi9Cu4) is the standard high-volume Al-Si-Cu high-pressure die casting alloy, listed here in F-D, F-K, F-S, T5 and T6.
Reference datasheet — EN AC-46000 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 F-D condition
EN AC-46000 tempers and conditions
EN AC-46000 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. F-D is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F | Low-volume or large sand castings; slow cooling coarsens the structure so strength is the lowest of the three routes. | 95 | 150 | 1 | 60 HB | 22 % IACS |
F | Pick for gravity die (permanent mould) castings where wall sections are thicker and pressure tightness matters more than peak strength. | 110 | 200 | 1 | 80 HB | 23 % IACS |
F-DDefault F | Default condition: thin-wall high-pressure die castings used as cast, no heat treatment. | 155 | 270 | 1.5 | 85 HB | 24 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Use when dimensional stability after machining or a modest yield gain is needed without risking blistering of gas-porous die castings. | 190 | 275 | 1 | 95 HB | 25 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Only for low-gas castings (vacuum/high-integrity HPDC, squeeze or gravity cast) where maximum strength and hardness are required; conventional die castings blister. | 240 | 300 | 1 | 110 HB | 28 % IACS |
What is EN AC-46000?
EN AC-46000 (AlSi9Cu3(Fe), A380.0, AC4B, ZAlSi9Cu4) is the standard high-volume Al-Si-Cu high-pressure die casting alloy, listed here in F-D, F-K, F-S, T5 and T6. It is chosen for castability, iron tolerance and cost: default values are 155 MPa yield, 270 MPa tensile, 1.5 % elongation, 85 HB, 105 W/m·K and 24 % IACS, and it accepts a high recycled charge. Limits are 150 °C service, 1.5 % elongation, low thermal and electrical conductivity, and effectively no fusion weldability as a conventional die casting; EN AC-46100 is the nearest alternative for thinner walls. EN AC-46000 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 515°C (959 °F). EN AC-46000 has a yield strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — weaker than 63% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi).
What is EN AC-46000 used for?
- engine blocks
- transmission cases
- housings
- automotive brackets
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 24 % IACS, worse than 95% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 1.5%, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 105 W/m·K (60.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades
EN AC-46000 properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN AC-46000-F-D; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
EN AC-46000 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 515°C (959 °F).
Mechanical14
EN AC-46000 has a yield strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — weaker than 63% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi).
Thermal6
EN AC-46000 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 105 W/m·K (60.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21 µm/m·K (11.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EN AC-46000 conducts electricity at 24 % IACS, worse than 95% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (42/100), worse than 69% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EN AC-46000 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 90%.
Manufacturability8
EN AC-46000's machinability is good (68/100, better than 67% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
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-46000 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with EN AC-46000
Is EN AC-46000 easy to machine?
Machines freely with sharp PCD or uncoated carbide tooling at high speed; the eutectic and primary Si are abrasive, so PCD is standard for high volumes, and porosity can be exposed in machined sealing faces.
Can EN AC-46000 be welded?
Essentially not fusion weldable as a die casting — entrapped gas causes blowholes and the Cu content promotes hot cracking; use mechanical joining, adhesive bonding, self-pierce riveting or friction stir/laser only on high-integrity vacuum castings.
Can EN AC-46000 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding HPDC alloy: fluid at 660–700 °C melt / 200–240 °C die, tolerates 1 % Fe to resist die soldering, wall sections down to ~1.5 mm, and takes high recycled charge.
EN AC-46000 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 | 8 – 11 | 9.5 |
| Feup to 1.3 % permitted for high pressure die castings | 0.6 – 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Cu | 2 – 4 | 3 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.55 | 0.3 |
| Mg | 0.05 – 0.55 | 0.25 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Ni | ≤ 0.55 | |
| Zn | ≤ 1.2 | 0.6 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.35 | |
| Sn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Others (each)total 0.25 % max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on EN AC-46000?
Best finished by chromate-free conversion coating plus e-coat/powder paint; decorative anodizing is poor (dark grey), electroless nickel or zinc-based plating is used for wear/EMI, and shot blasting or vibratory finishing evens the as-cast skin.
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-46000 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does EN AC-46000 cost?
EN AC-46000 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-46000 — frequently asked
What is EN AC-46000 used for?
EN AC-46000 is typically used for engine blocks, transmission cases, housings and automotive brackets. In short: most common HPDC alloy; tolerates recycled, high-Fe charge; not fusion weldable as-cast.
What is the yield strength of EN AC-46000?
EN AC-46000 has a typical yield strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — weaker than 63% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is EN AC-46000 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 67% of aluminum grades). Machines freely with sharp PCD or uncoated carbide tooling at high speed; the eutectic and primary Si are abrasive, so PCD is standard for high volumes, and porosity can be exposed in machined sealing faces.
Can EN AC-46000 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Essentially not fusion weldable as a die casting — entrapped gas causes blowholes and the Cu content promotes hot cracking; use mechanical joining, adhesive bonding, self-pierce riveting or friction stir/laser only on high-integrity vacuum castings.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-46000?
Best finished by chromate-free conversion coating plus e-coat/powder paint; decorative anodizing is poor (dark grey), electroless nickel or zinc-based plating is used for wear/EMI, and shot blasting or vibratory finishing evens the as-cast skin.
Can EN AC-46000 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding HPDC alloy: fluid at 660–700 °C melt / 200–240 °C die, tolerates 1 % Fe to resist die soldering, wall sections down to ~1.5 mm, and takes high recycled charge.
What is the maximum service temperature of EN AC-46000?
EN AC-46000 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-46000 F-D and EN AC-46000-T6?
F-D is the default condition — default condition: thin-wall high-pressure die castings used as cast, no heat treatment. T6: only for low-gas castings (vacuum/high-integrity HPDC, squeeze or gravity cast) where maximum strength and hardness are required; conventional die castings blister. Yield strength is 155 MPa in F-D versus 240 MPa in T6.
How much does EN AC-46000 cost?
EN AC-46000 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 (A380.0 data) — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM B85 — Aluminum-Alloy Die Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- JIS H5302 — Aluminium alloy die castings (ADC12) — JSA (2006)
- GB/T 15115 — (YL113 / ADC12 equivalents) — SAC (2009)
- Secondary die casting alloy AlSi9Cu3(Fe) technical data — Rheinfelden Alloys / Trimet (2021)
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.