Aluminum EN AC-46300-T6
Temper
EN AC-46300
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Peak-strength condition for gravity die castings — pick it when static strength and hardness matter more than ductility.
Values for the T6 condition
Other EN AC-46300 tempers and conditions
EN AC-46300 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at EN AC-46300.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F | Sand-cast as-cast condition; coarser structure than gravity die so strength is roughly 25 % lower. | 110 | 190 | 1 | 80 HB | 27 % IACS |
FDefault As fabricated | Standard low-cost condition for gravity die castings where moderate strength is enough and no heat treatment budget exists. | 135 | 250 | 1 | 85 HB | 27 % IACS |
F | HPDC condition with fine chill structure — highest as-cast strength but porosity prevents solution heat treatment. | 160 | 270 | 1.5 | 90 HB | 26 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Cheap ageing-only treatment that raises yield strength and stabilises dimensions without distortion risk of solutionising. | 200 | 270 | 1 | 95 HB | 29 % IACS |
T6 | Heat-treated sand castings — strength well above as-cast but below gravity-die T6 because of coarser eutectic. | 205 | 245 | 0.7 | 100 HB | 25 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Overaged for dimensional stability and slightly better ductility/conductivity in parts running warm (e.g. gearbox and pump housings). | 230 | 285 | 1.5 | 95 HB | 31 % IACS |
T6This page Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Peak-strength condition for gravity die castings — pick it when static strength and hardness matter more than ductility. | 285 | 330 | 0.7 | 110 HB | 24 % IACS |
What is EN AC-46300-T6?
EN AC-46300-T6 is EN AC-46300 in the T6 temper — peak-strength condition for gravity die castings — pick it when static strength and hardness matter more than ductility. EN AC-46300-T6 has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 0.7% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi). EN AC-46300-T6 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 520°C (968 °F). F is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T6 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 9.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 97% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0.7%, worse than 98% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 24 % IACS, worse than 95% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Low fracture toughness — 15 MPa·√m (13.7 ksi·√in), worse than 93% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 110 W/m·K (63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of aluminum grades
EN AC-46300-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN AC-46300-T6; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EN AC-46300 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
EN AC-46300-T6 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 520°C (968 °F).
Mechanical14
EN AC-46300-T6 has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 0.7% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi).
Thermal6
EN AC-46300-T6 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 110 W/m·K (63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.5 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EN AC-46300-T6 conducts electricity at 24 % IACS, worse than 95% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (38/100), worse than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EN AC-46300-T6 takes about 150 MJ of energy and emits 9.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 80%.
Manufacturability8
EN AC-46300-T6's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 86% 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-46300-T6
Is EN AC-46300 easy to machine?
Machines freely with sharp positive-rake PCD or polished carbide tools; the 7 % Si plus Cu-rich phases abrade HSS quickly, so use PCD for high-volume work and flood coolant to avoid built-up edge.
Can EN AC-46300 be welded?
Poor fusion weldability — 3–4 % Cu makes the alloy hot-crack sensitive; repair welding with 4047/4145 filler and preheat only, and re-age afterwards if strength matters.
Can EN AC-46300 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent gravity-die and sand castability with good fluidity and feeding; keep Fe below ~0.8 % and use Sr/Na modification plus Ti-B refinement, and avoid solution treatment on gas-porous HPDC parts (blistering).
What surface finishes work on EN AC-46300?
Best finished by painting, powder coat or chromate/trivalent conversion; decorative anodizing gives dark grey mottled films, hard anodizing is possible but thin and non-uniform over Si particles.
EN AC-46300 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 – 8 | 7 |
| Cu | 3 – 4 | 3.5 |
| Mg | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Mn | 0.15 – 0.65 | 0.35 |
| Feup to 1.0 % for high-pressure die castings | ≤ 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.65 | — |
| Ni | ≤ 0.35 | — |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.25 | 0.12 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Sn | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Others (each)total 0.35 % max | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
EN AC-46300-T6 — frequently asked
What is EN AC-46300-T6 used for?
EN AC-46300-T6 is typically used for structural brackets, gearbox housings and engine components. In short: strongest heat-treatable Al-Si-Cu; structural gravity-die alloy; low ductility, 1 % elongation.
What is the yield strength of EN AC-46300-T6?
EN AC-46300-T6 has a typical yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 73% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is EN AC-46300-T6 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades). Machines freely with sharp positive-rake PCD or polished carbide tools; the 7 % Si plus Cu-rich phases abrade HSS quickly, so use PCD for high-volume work and flood coolant to avoid built-up edge.
Can EN AC-46300-T6 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Poor fusion weldability — 3–4 % Cu makes the alloy hot-crack sensitive; repair welding with 4047/4145 filler and preheat only, and re-age afterwards if strength matters.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-46300-T6?
Best finished by painting, powder coat or chromate/trivalent conversion; decorative anodizing gives dark grey mottled films, hard anodizing is possible but thin and non-uniform over Si particles.
Can EN AC-46300-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent gravity-die and sand castability with good fluidity and feeding; keep Fe below ~0.8 % and use Sr/Na modification plus Ti-B refinement, and avoid solution treatment on gas-porous HPDC parts (blistering).
What is the maximum service temperature of EN AC-46300-T6?
EN AC-46300-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-46300-F and EN AC-46300-T6?
F is the default condition — standard low-cost condition for gravity die castings where moderate strength is enough and no heat treatment budget exists. T6: peak-strength condition for gravity die castings — pick it when static strength and hardness matter more than ductility. Yield strength is 135 MPa in F versus 285 MPa in T6.
Sources
- EN 1706 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys: Castings — Chemical composition and mechanical properties — CEN (2020)
- GB/T 1173 (ZL107 comparison) — SAC (2013)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 15 — Casting — ASM International (2008)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- European foundry alloy datasheets for EN AC-46300 (AlSi7Cu3Mg) — various producers (2023)
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.