Aluminum EN AC-46400-T6
Temper
EN AC-46400
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Pick for maximum strength and hardness in gravity or sand castings; not suitable for gas-porous conventional HPDC parts.
Values for the T6 condition
Other EN AC-46400 tempers and conditions
EN AC-46400 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at EN AC-46400.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDefault As fabricated | Standard supply condition for high-pressure die castings: best productivity, thin walls, no heat-treat blistering risk. | 95 | 165 | 1.5 | 65 HB | 28 % IACS |
F | Gravity/permanent-mould castings supplied as-cast where dimensional stability matters more than strength; can be heat treated later. | 110 | 185 | 1.5 | 75 HB | 31 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Low-distortion strengthening/stress-relief for gravity castings when full T6 solution treatment would cause distortion or blistering. | 170 | 215 | 1 | 90 HB | 31 % IACS |
T6This page Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Pick for maximum strength and hardness in gravity or sand castings; not suitable for gas-porous conventional HPDC parts. | 240 | 285 | 1 | 105 HB | 30 % IACS |
What is EN AC-46400-T6?
EN AC-46400-T6 is EN AC-46400 in the T6 temper — pick for maximum strength and hardness in gravity or sand castings; not suitable for gas-porous conventional HPDC parts. EN AC-46400-T6 has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) — stronger than 63% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi). EN AC-46400-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 — 9.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- High service temperature — 170°C (338 °F), better than 80% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 14 MPa·√m (12.7 ksi·√in), worse than 97% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 95% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
EN AC-46400-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN AC-46400-T6; 39 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EN AC-46400 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
EN AC-46400-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-46400-T6 has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) — stronger than 63% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi).
Thermal6
EN AC-46400-T6 is rated for continuous service to 170°C (338 °F). It conducts heat at 135 W/m·K (78 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 58% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21 µm/m·K (11.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EN AC-46400-T6 conducts electricity at 30 % IACS, worse than 73% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (43/100), worse than 65% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EN AC-46400-T6 takes about 155 MJ of energy and emits 9.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 94% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
EN AC-46400-T6's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 72% 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-46400-T6
Is EN AC-46400 easy to machine?
Machines well with PCD or coated carbide at high speed; eutectic Si is abrasive so HSS tooling wears fast — use flood coolant and sharp positive-rake geometry.
Can EN AC-46400 be welded?
Fusion welding is limited: HPDC porosity causes blowholes and the Cu content raises hot-cracking risk; if required use TIG/MIG with ER4145/ER4047 filler on gravity castings and re-age afterwards.
Can EN AC-46400 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent die-castability and mould filling for thin walls (≥1.5 mm); use vacuum or squeeze casting if the part must be T6 heat treated to avoid blistering.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-46400?
Best finished by chromate-free conversion coating, primer + paint or powder coat; hard anodize gives a dark grey non-decorative film, and shot blasting is common on as-cast surfaces.
EN AC-46400 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 | 8.3 – 9.7 | 9 |
| Feup to ~1.0 % permitted for high-pressure die castings | ≤ 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Cu | 0.8 – 1.3 | 1 |
| Mn | 0.15 – 0.55 | 0.35 |
| Mg | 0.25 – 0.65 | 0.4 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.55 | — |
| Ni | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Sn | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
EN AC-46400-T6 — frequently asked
What is EN AC-46400-T6 used for?
EN AC-46400-T6 is typically used for chassis brackets, engine mounts and housings. In short: heat-treatable die casting alloy; higher strength than AlSi9Cu3; needs vacuum casting for T6.
What is the yield strength of EN AC-46400-T6?
EN AC-46400-T6 has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) — stronger than 63% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is EN AC-46400-T6 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades). Machines well with PCD or coated carbide at high speed; eutectic Si is abrasive so HSS tooling wears fast — use flood coolant and sharp positive-rake geometry.
Can EN AC-46400-T6 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Fusion welding is limited: HPDC porosity causes blowholes and the Cu content raises hot-cracking risk; if required use TIG/MIG with ER4145/ER4047 filler on gravity castings and re-age afterwards.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-46400-T6?
Best finished by chromate-free conversion coating, primer + paint or powder coat; hard anodize gives a dark grey non-decorative film, and shot blasting is common on as-cast surfaces.
Can EN AC-46400-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent die-castability and mould filling for thin walls (≥1.5 mm); use vacuum or squeeze casting if the part must be T6 heat treated to avoid blistering.
What is the maximum service temperature of EN AC-46400-T6?
EN AC-46400-T6 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-46400-F and EN AC-46400-T6?
F is the default condition — standard supply condition for high-pressure die castings: best productivity, thin walls, no heat-treat blistering risk. T6: pick for maximum strength and hardness in gravity or sand castings; not suitable for gas-porous conventional HPDC parts. Yield strength is 95 MPa in F versus 240 MPa in T6.
Sources
- EN 1706 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Castings — Chemical composition and mechanical properties — CEN (2020)
- GB/T 1173 (ZL111 comparison) — SAC (2013)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 15 — Casting — ASM International (2008)
- European die-casting alloy datasheets (AlSi9Cu1Mg / EN AC-46400) — Rheinfelden Alloys / Trimet (2022)
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.