Aluminum EN AC-46600
EN AC-46600
EN AC-46600 (AlSi7Cu2) is an Al-Si-Cu casting alloy from the EN 1706 family, offered as die (F-D), sand (F-S) and gravity die (F-K) castings and in T5, T6-S, T6-K and T7.
Reference datasheet — EN AC-46600 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-46600 tempers and conditions
EN AC-46600 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. F-D is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F | Choose for low-volume or large sand castings where minimum properties per EN 1706 sand-cast rows apply. | 95 | 160 | 1 | 60 HB | 33 % IACS |
F | Gravity die (permanent mould) as-cast condition — finer structure and higher strength than sand casting at moderate tooling cost. | 110 | 200 | 1.5 | 70 HB | 32.5 % IACS |
F-DDefault F | Default condition: as-cast high-pressure die castings for general automotive/industrial housings, no heat treatment. | 140 | 240 | 1.5 | 80 HB | 32 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Cheap age-only treatment on gravity or die castings to raise yield strength slightly and stabilise dimensions without solution-treat distortion/blistering. | 170 | 230 | 1 | 85 HB | 33 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Overaged for dimensional stability and slightly better ductility where parts run warm; strength below T6. | 170 | 230 | 2 | 80 HB | 34 % IACS |
T6 | Highest-strength sand-cast condition for loaded brackets and housings; ductility stays low. | 200 | 240 | 1 | 90 HB | 35 % IACS |
T6 | Best strength/hardness combination available in this alloy — gravity castings that are machined and loaded in service. | 215 | 280 | 1.5 | 100 HB | 35 % IACS |
What is EN AC-46600?
EN AC-46600 (AlSi7Cu2) is an Al-Si-Cu casting alloy from the EN 1706 family, offered as die (F-D), sand (F-S) and gravity die (F-K) castings and in T5, T6-S, T6-K and T7. It delivers mid-range strength with good fluidity — 140 MPa yield, 240 MPa tensile, 1.5 % elongation, 80 HB — and the highest thermal and electrical conductivity of the Cu-bearing grades here at 145 W/m·K and 32 % IACS, which helps housings that also shed heat. The 2 % copper still causes hot-cracking sensitivity and reduced corrosion resistance, service tops out at 150 °C, and porosity can spoil pressure-tight surfaces. EN AC-46200 is the nearest higher-copper alternative. EN AC-46600 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 525°C (977 °F). EN AC-46600 has a yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) — weaker than 70% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi).
What is EN AC-46600 used for?
- housings
- covers
- small structural parts
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1.5%, worse than 91% 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
EN AC-46600 properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN AC-46600-F-D; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
EN AC-46600 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 525°C (977 °F).
Mechanical13
EN AC-46600 has a yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) — weaker than 70% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi).
Thermal6
EN AC-46600 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 145 W/m·K (83.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 53% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.5 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EN AC-46600 conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, worse than 63% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (42/100), worse than 69% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EN AC-46600 takes about 195 MJ of energy and emits 11.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 86% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability7
EN AC-46600's machinability is good (68/100, better than 67% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (30/100).
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-46600 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with EN AC-46600
Is EN AC-46600 easy to machine?
Machines easily with PCD or polished carbide tooling and high speeds; abrasive primary/eutectic Si and casting porosity limit tool life and can spoil pressure-tight surfaces.
Can EN AC-46600 be welded?
Poor fusion weldability — Cu content promotes hot cracking and die-cast porosity causes gas blows; use 4047/4145 filler for cosmetic repair only, or mechanical joining/adhesive bonding.
Can EN AC-46600 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity and low hot-tearing tendency in high-pressure die, gravity and sand casting; keep melt Fe under control, degas and use pressure/vacuum die casting for leak-tight and heat-treatable parts.
EN AC-46600 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 | 1.5 – 2.5 | 2 |
| Feup to 1.0 permitted for die-cast product in some producer specs | ≤ 0.8 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.65 | |
| Mg | ≤ 0.35 | |
| Zn | ≤ 1 | |
| Ni | ≤ 0.35 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Pb | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Sn | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Cr | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on EN AC-46600?
Prefer chromate-free conversion coating plus paint/powder coat, or e-coat; decorative anodizing is grey/blotchy, and chemical or electroless-Ni plating needs careful pretreatment on Cu-bearing Si castings.
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-46600 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AC-46600AlSi7Cu2
How much does EN AC-46600 cost?
EN AC-46600 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-46600 — frequently asked
What is EN AC-46600 used for?
EN AC-46600 is typically used for housings, covers and small structural parts. In short: highest conductivity Cu-bearing casting; balanced strength and castability; multi-process casting alloy.
What is the yield strength of EN AC-46600?
EN AC-46600 has a typical yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) — weaker than 70% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is EN AC-46600 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 67% of aluminum grades). Machines easily with PCD or polished carbide tooling and high speeds; abrasive primary/eutectic Si and casting porosity limit tool life and can spoil pressure-tight surfaces.
Can EN AC-46600 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Poor fusion weldability — Cu content promotes hot cracking and die-cast porosity causes gas blows; use 4047/4145 filler for cosmetic repair only, or mechanical joining/adhesive bonding.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-46600?
Prefer chromate-free conversion coating plus paint/powder coat, or e-coat; decorative anodizing is grey/blotchy, and chemical or electroless-Ni plating needs careful pretreatment on Cu-bearing Si castings.
Can EN AC-46600 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity and low hot-tearing tendency in high-pressure die, gravity and sand casting; keep melt Fe under control, degas and use pressure/vacuum die casting for leak-tight and heat-treatable parts.
What is the maximum service temperature of EN AC-46600?
EN AC-46600 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-46600 F-D and EN AC-46600 T6-K?
F-D is the default condition — default condition: as-cast high-pressure die castings for general automotive/industrial housings, no heat treatment. T6-K: best strength/hardness combination available in this alloy — gravity castings that are machined and loaded in service. Yield strength is 140 MPa in F-D versus 215 MPa in T6-K.
How much does EN AC-46600 cost?
EN AC-46600 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 — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys — ASM International (1993)
- European foundry-alloy datasheets for AlSi7Cu2 castings — die-casting/foundry producers (2023)
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.