Aluminum EN AC-48000
EN AC-48000 · JIS AC8A · GB ZL109
EN AC-48000 (AlSi12CuNiMg, also AC8A/ZL109) is a eutectic Al-Si12 casting alloy modified with Cu, Ni and Mg for low thermal expansion and retained strength at temperature, supplied under EN 1706 in F, T5, T6 and T7.
Reference datasheet — EN AC-48000 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 T6 condition
EN AC-48000 tempers and conditions
EN AC-48000 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. T6 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Cheapest condition for non-critical or low-load castings that will not see high thermal loading. | 130 | 180 | 1.5 | 85 HB | 29 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Pick when dimensional stability and low distortion matter more than peak strength — no quench, so pistons keep tight tolerances. | 190 | 215 | 1 | 100 HB | 35 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Choose for parts running continuously above ~230 °C where thermal growth and hardness drop in service must be avoided; trades ~10–15% strength for stability. | 215 | 250 | 1.2 | 105 HB | 28 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Default condition for highly loaded diesel and turbo-petrol pistons where maximum room- and elevated-temperature strength is required. | 255 | 295 | 1 | 115 HB | 33 % IACS |
What is EN AC-48000?
EN AC-48000 (AlSi12CuNiMg, also AC8A/ZL109) is a eutectic Al-Si12 casting alloy modified with Cu, Ni and Mg for low thermal expansion and retained strength at temperature, supplied under EN 1706 in F, T5, T6 and T7. It is the standard choice for gravity-die and squeeze-cast internal combustion engine pistons and other hot-running parts, reaching 295 MPa tensile, 255 MPa yield, 115 HB and 135 W/m·K with a 250 °C service limit. Ductility is only 1% elongation, formability and weldability are both poor, and the solidus is low (melting point 510 °C). Use EN AC-48100 AlSi17Cu4Mg where higher wear resistance is needed. EN AC-48000 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 510°C (950 °F). EN AC-48000 has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 82 GPa (11.9 Msi).
What is EN AC-48000 used for?
- pistons
- engine components
- high-temperature parts
Advantages
- Stiff — 82 GPa (11.9 Msi), better than 97% of aluminum grades
- High service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), better than 97% 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 — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
EN AC-48000 properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN AC-48000-T6; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
EN AC-48000 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 510°C (950 °F).
Mechanical14
EN AC-48000 has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 82 GPa (11.9 Msi).
Thermal6
EN AC-48000 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 135 W/m·K (78 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 58% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 19.5 µm/m·K (10.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EN AC-48000 conducts electricity at 33 % IACS, worse than 57% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (42/100), worse than 69% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EN AC-48000 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability8
EN AC-48000's machinability is fair (48/100, worse than 68% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
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-48000 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with EN AC-48000
Is EN AC-48000 easy to machine?
Use PCD or fine-grain carbide with high speed and light feed — the eutectic/primary silicon is highly abrasive; chips are short and coolant-friendly, and ring grooves are typically finish-turned after ageing.
Can EN AC-48000 be welded?
Effectively non-weldable for structural repair: Cu+Mg cause hot cracking and the low solidus limits heat input; friction-stir or laser repair with 4047 filler only under qualified procedures.
Can EN AC-48000 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent gravity-die, squeeze and low-pressure casting fluidity; use Sr/Na modification plus P for primary Si control, controlled die temperature and directional solidification to avoid shrinkage porosity in the crown.
EN AC-48000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sinear-eutectic; modified/refined for fine eutectic structure | 10.5 – 13.5 | 12 |
| Cu | 0.8 – 1.5 | 1.1 |
| MgMg2Si precipitation hardening | 0.8 – 1.5 | 1.1 |
| Niforms thermally stable aluminides for hot strength | 0.7 – 1.3 | 1 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.7 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.35 | 0.15 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.35 | 0.1 |
| Tigrain refinement | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Sn | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on EN AC-48000?
Hard anodizing of crown and top ring groove or ferrous ring-carrier insertion is common; decorative anodizing is grey and blotchy because of the silicon, so shot blast, tin/graphite skirt coatings or phosphate are preferred.
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-48000 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does EN AC-48000 cost?
EN AC-48000 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-48000 — frequently asked
What is EN AC-48000 used for?
EN AC-48000 is typically used for pistons, engine components and high-temperature parts. In short: standard piston casting alloy; low expansion, 250 °C capable; hardest of the Al-Si12 group.
What is the yield strength of EN AC-48000?
EN AC-48000 has a typical yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is EN AC-48000 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, worse than 68% of aluminum grades). Use PCD or fine-grain carbide with high speed and light feed — the eutectic/primary silicon is highly abrasive; chips are short and coolant-friendly, and ring grooves are typically finish-turned after ageing.
Can EN AC-48000 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Effectively non-weldable for structural repair: Cu+Mg cause hot cracking and the low solidus limits heat input; friction-stir or laser repair with 4047 filler only under qualified procedures.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-48000?
Hard anodizing of crown and top ring groove or ferrous ring-carrier insertion is common; decorative anodizing is grey and blotchy because of the silicon, so shot blast, tin/graphite skirt coatings or phosphate are preferred.
Can EN AC-48000 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent gravity-die, squeeze and low-pressure casting fluidity; use Sr/Na modification plus P for primary Si control, controlled die temperature and directional solidification to avoid shrinkage porosity in the crown.
What is the maximum service temperature of EN AC-48000?
EN AC-48000 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between EN AC-48000-T6 and EN AC-48000-F?
T6 is the default condition — default condition for highly loaded diesel and turbo-petrol pistons where maximum room- and elevated-temperature strength is required. F: cheapest condition for non-critical or low-load castings that will not see high thermal loading. Yield strength is 255 MPa in T6 versus 130 MPa in F.
How much does EN AC-48000 cost?
EN AC-48000 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)
- GB/T 1173 (ZL109) — SAC (2013)
- JIS H 5202 Aluminium alloy castings (AC8A) — JSA (2010)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (332.0/A332.0 piston alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 15 — Casting — ASM International (2008)
- Piston alloy datasheets (Al-Si12CuNiMg / AC8A class) — Foundry & piston producers (2022)
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.