Aluminum EN AC-46600 T6-K
Precip hard
EN AC-46600
Best strength/hardness combination available in this alloy — gravity castings that are machined and loaded in service.
Values for the T6-K condition
Other EN AC-46600 tempers and conditions
EN AC-46600 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at EN AC-46600.
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-KThis page 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 T6-K?
EN AC-46600 T6-K is EN AC-46600 in the T6-K condition — best strength/hardness combination available in this alloy — gravity castings that are machined and loaded in service. EN AC-46600 T6-K has a yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) — stronger than 58% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi). EN AC-46600 T6-K 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). F-D is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T6-K is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades
- High service temperature — 175°C (347 °F), better than 83% of aluminum grades
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 T6-K properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN AC-46600 T6-K; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EN AC-46600 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
EN AC-46600 T6-K 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 T6-K has a yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) — stronger than 58% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi).
Thermal6
EN AC-46600 T6-K is rated for continuous service to 175°C (347 °F). It conducts heat at 155 W/m·K (89.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 71% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.5 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EN AC-46600 T6-K conducts electricity at 35 % IACS, better than 52% 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 T6-K 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 T6-K's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with EN AC-46600 T6-K
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.
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.
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 | — |
EN AC-46600 T6-K — frequently asked
What is EN AC-46600 T6-K used for?
EN AC-46600 T6-K 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 T6-K?
EN AC-46600 T6-K has a typical yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) — stronger than 58% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is EN AC-46600 T6-K easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 86% 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 T6-K 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 T6-K?
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 T6-K 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 T6-K?
EN AC-46600 T6-K is rated for continuous use to about 175°C (347 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.