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Aluminum EN AC-46000-T5

Temper

EN AC-46000 · ASTM 380.0

T5 = 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.

Standard cost $$

Values for the T5 condition

Other EN AC-46000 tempers and conditions

EN AC-46000 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at EN AC-46000.

Compare all 5 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
F
Low-volume or large sand castings; slow cooling coarsens the structure so strength is the lowest of the three routes.95150160 HB22 % IACS
F
Pick for gravity die (permanent mould) castings where wall sections are thicker and pressure tightness matters more than peak strength.110200180 HB23 % IACS
F-DDefault
F
Default condition: thin-wall high-pressure die castings used as cast, no heat treatment.1552701.585 HB24 % IACS
T5This page
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.190275195 HB25 % 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.2403001110 HB28 % IACS

What is EN AC-46000-T5?

EN AC-46000-T5 is EN AC-46000 in the T5 temper — use when dimensional stability after machining or a modest yield gain is needed without risking blistering of gas-porous die castings. EN AC-46000-T5 has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 52% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi). EN AC-46000-T5 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). F-D is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T5 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High service temperature — 170°C (338 °F), better than 80% of aluminum grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 95% of aluminum grades
  • Low electrical conductivity — 25 % IACS, worse than 92% of aluminum grades
  • Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 16 MPa·√m (14.6 ksi·√in), worse than 89% of aluminum grades
  • Limited formability — 6/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades

EN AC-46000-T5 properties

Typical room-temperature values for EN AC-46000-T5; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EN AC-46000 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.

Physical3

EN AC-46000-T5 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).

Density2.75 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)515°C959 °F
Liquidus Temperature595°C1,103 °F

Mechanical14

EN AC-46000-T5 has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 52% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus75 GPa10.9 Msi
Shear Modulus27 GPa3.9 Msi
Bulk Modulus74 GPa10.7 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.33
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)275 MPa39.9 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)190 MPa27.6 ksi
Elongation at Break1%
Shear Strength190 MPa27.6 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)140 MPa20.3 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)16 MPa·√m14.6 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)3 J1.8 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell95 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B55 HRB
Hardness, Vickers100 HV

Thermal6

EN AC-46000-T5 is rated for continuous service to 170°C (338 °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 µm/m·K (11.7 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity110 W/m·K63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity963 J/kg·K0.23 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)21 µm/m·K11.7 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion389 J/g167 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)170°C338 °F
Min Service Temperature-50°C-58 °F

Electrical3

EN AC-46000-T5 conducts electricity at 25 % IACS, worse than 92% of aluminum grades.

Electrical Conductivity25 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity6.9×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.72 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is fair (42/100), worse than 69% of aluminum grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.78 V
Corrosion ResistanceFair42/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryAdequate in dry indoor air and oils; the 2–4 % Cu makes it susceptible to pitting and intergranular attack in chlorides, salt spray and acidic/alkaline media — coating, painting or passivation is normally required for outdoor or marine service.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of EN AC-46000-T5 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 90%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)12 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water1,100 L/kg132 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content90%

Manufacturability8

EN AC-46000-T5's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (6/100).

MachinabilityVery good70/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)72%
WeldabilityPoor25/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended6/100
CastabilityExcellent95/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityPoor20/100
PolishabilityFair40/100
Anodizing Responsepoor — high Si plus 2–4 % Cu gives dark, mottled grey films with little corrosion benefit; use chromate/chrome-free conversion coating, e-coat or powder paint instead, hard anodize only for wear where appearance is irrelevant.

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with EN AC-46000-T5

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.

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.

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Si8 – 119.5
Feup to 1.3 % permitted for high pressure die castings0.6 – 1.10.9
Cu2 – 43
Mn≤ 0.550.3
Mg0.05 – 0.550.25
Cr≤ 0.15—
Ni≤ 0.55—
Zn≤ 1.20.6
Pb≤ 0.35—
Sn≤ 0.25—
Ti≤ 0.25—
Others (each)total 0.25 % max≤ 0.05—
Albalance—

EN AC-46000-T5 — frequently asked

What is EN AC-46000-T5 used for?

EN AC-46000-T5 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-T5?

EN AC-46000-T5 has a typical yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 52% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is EN AC-46000-T5 easy to machine?

Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 72% 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-T5 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-T5?

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-T5 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-T5?

EN AC-46000-T5 is rated for continuous use to about 170°C (338 °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.

Sources

  1. EN 1706 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Castings — Chemical composition and mechanical properties — CEN (2020)
  2. EN 1676 — Aluminium alloy ingots for remelting — CEN (2020)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (A380.0 data) — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASTM B85 — Aluminum-Alloy Die Castings — ASTM International (2018)
  5. JIS H5302 — Aluminium alloy die castings (ADC12) — JSA (2006)
  6. GB/T 15115 — (YL113 / ADC12 equivalents) — SAC (2009)
  7. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.