Aluminum EN AC-46200-T6
Temper
EN AC-46200
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Choose solution heat treatment plus artificial ageing for loaded castings needing 270 MPa tensile and 95 HB; limited to sand or permanent-mould parts, and watch solution distortion.
Values for the T6 condition
Other EN AC-46200 tempers and conditions
EN AC-46200 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at EN AC-46200.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F | Choose as-cast sand casting for one-offs, small batches or large complex geometries; the coarser structure gives 175 MPa tensile, below the permanent-mould route. | 105 | 175 | 1.5 | 70 HB | 27 % IACS |
F-KDefault F | Pick the standard as-cast chill (permanent mould) supply condition for lowest cost and good dimensional stability with no heat treatment; expect 200 MPa tensile and 1.5% elongation. | 120 | 200 | 1.5 | 80 HB | 27 % IACS |
F | Use as-cast high-pressure die casting for thin-wall parts, where rapid solidification refines the structure to 250 MPa tensile; internal porosity rules out solution heat treatment. | 150 | 250 | 1.5 | 90 HB | 29 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Use solution treatment with overageing when dimensional and structural stability up to 200 °C outrank strength, as in engine parts under sustained heat; tensile drops to 230 MPa. | 155 | 230 | 3 | 80 HB | 30 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Pick artificial ageing without solution treatment to lift yield to 175 MPa and improve dimensional stability with low distortion risk, at lower cost than T6. | 175 | 215 | 1.5 | 85 HB | 28 % IACS |
T6This page Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Choose solution heat treatment plus artificial ageing for loaded castings needing 270 MPa tensile and 95 HB; limited to sand or permanent-mould parts, and watch solution distortion. | 185 | 270 | 2.5 | 95 HB | 29 % IACS |
What is EN AC-46200-T6?
EN AC-46200-T6 is EN AC-46200 in the T6 temper — choose solution heat treatment plus artificial ageing for loaded castings needing 270 MPa tensile and 95 HB; limited to sand or permanent-mould parts, and watch solution distortion. EN AC-46200-T6 has a yield strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — weaker than 53% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi). EN AC-46200-T6 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 510°C (950 °F). F-K is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T6 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 92% 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
- Limited ductility — 2.5%, worse than 83% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 118 W/m·K (68.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 81% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades
EN AC-46200-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN AC-46200-T6; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EN AC-46200 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
EN AC-46200-T6 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 510°C (950 °F).
Mechanical13
EN AC-46200-T6 has a yield strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — weaker than 53% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi).
Thermal6
EN AC-46200-T6 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 118 W/m·K (68.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 81% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.5 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EN AC-46200-T6 conducts electricity at 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (42/100), worse than 69% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EN AC-46200-T6 takes about 190 MJ of energy and emits 11.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 89% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 80%.
Manufacturability7
EN AC-46200-T6's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with EN AC-46200-T6
Is EN AC-46200 easy to machine?
Machinability is good and the copper phases help chip breaking, but the eutectic silicon is abrasive. Use PCD or diamond-coated tooling, or K-grade carbide, at high spindle speed with generous emulsion coolant.
Can EN AC-46200 be welded?
Copper makes the alloy hot-crack sensitive and fusion weldability is poor. For repairs use TIG with ER4145 (Al-Si-Cu) filler and 150–200 °C preheat; fusion welding is not recommended on structural castings.
Can EN AC-46200 be formed, bent or molded?
A casting alloy only: fluidity is excellent and hot-tearing tendency low, so sand, gravity die and high-pressure die casting all work. Control dissolved gas and apply Sr or Na modification with Ti-B grain refinement to improve elongation.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-46200?
Suited to shot blasting, chromate or chromate-free conversion coating, powder coat and hard anodizing. Decorative anodizing comes out grey and uneven, and polishing is limited by the silicon phase.
EN AC-46200 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 | 7.5 – 9.5 | 8.5 |
| Cu | 2 – 3.5 | 2.8 |
| Femaximum; die casting usually runs higher to prevent soldering | ≤ 0.8 | — |
| Mn | 0.15 – 0.65 | 0.35 |
| Mg | 0.05 – 0.55 | 0.25 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.35 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 1.2 | — |
| Pb | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Sn | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Ti | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Others (each)each other impurity | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total)total of other impurities | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
EN AC-46200-T6 — frequently asked
What is EN AC-46200-T6 used for?
EN AC-46200-T6 is typically used for housings, pump bodies and manifolds. In short: best-machining Al-Si-Cu casting; general-purpose automotive alloy; heat-treatable to T7.
What is the yield strength of EN AC-46200-T6?
EN AC-46200-T6 has a typical yield strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — weaker than 53% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is EN AC-46200-T6 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades). Machinability is good and the copper phases help chip breaking, but the eutectic silicon is abrasive. Use PCD or diamond-coated tooling, or K-grade carbide, at high spindle speed with generous emulsion coolant.
Can EN AC-46200-T6 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Copper makes the alloy hot-crack sensitive and fusion weldability is poor. For repairs use TIG with ER4145 (Al-Si-Cu) filler and 150–200 °C preheat; fusion welding is not recommended on structural castings.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-46200-T6?
Suited to shot blasting, chromate or chromate-free conversion coating, powder coat and hard anodizing. Decorative anodizing comes out grey and uneven, and polishing is limited by the silicon phase.
Can EN AC-46200-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
A casting alloy only: fluidity is excellent and hot-tearing tendency low, so sand, gravity die and high-pressure die casting all work. Control dissolved gas and apply Sr or Na modification with Ti-B grain refinement to improve elongation.
What is the maximum service temperature of EN AC-46200-T6?
EN AC-46200-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-46200 F-K and EN AC-46200-T6?
F-K is the default condition — pick the standard as-cast chill (permanent mould) supply condition for lowest cost and good dimensional stability with no heat treatment; expect 200 MPa tensile and 1.5% elongation. T6: choose solution heat treatment plus artificial ageing for loaded castings needing 270 MPa tensile and 95 HB; limited to sand or permanent-mould parts, and watch solution distortion. Yield strength is 120 MPa in F-K versus 185 MPa in T6.
Sources
- EN 1706 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys: castings, chemical composition and mechanical properties — CEN (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (319.0 data) — ASM International (1990)
- ANSI H35.1 / AA Registration of Cast Aluminum Alloys — The Aluminum Association (2017)
- Foundry alloy datasheets (Al-Si-Cu casting alloys) — TRIMET / Rheinfelden Alloys (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.