Aluminum EN AC-51000 K-F
Temper
EN AC-51000 · ASTM 514.0
K-F = permanent mould (chill) cast, as-cast
Pick as-cast permanent mould (chill) casting for small-to-medium thin-wall parts in low to mid volumes; the finer structure raises elongation to 5% and tensile to 155 MPa.
Values for the K-F condition
Other EN AC-51000 tempers and conditions
EN AC-51000 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at EN AC-51000.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Choose stress-relief annealing at roughly 250-300 °C when dimensional stability before finish machining or lower casting residual stress matters more than the drop to 65 MPa yield. | 65 | 140 | 5 | 46 HB | 35 % IACS |
S-FDefault Sand cast, as-cast | Choose the default as-cast sand casting, with no heat treatment, for medium-to-large marine and decorative components at 145 MPa tensile, 70 MPa yield and 3% elongation. | 70 | 145 | 3 | 50 HB | 34 % IACS |
Investment cast, as-cast | Use as-cast investment casting for small, geometrically complex parts needing good surface and later anodising; not listed in EN 1706, so accept against sand-cast values. | 70 | 145 | 3 | 50 HB | 34 % IACS |
K-FThis page Permanent mould (chill) cast, as-cast | Pick as-cast permanent mould (chill) casting for small-to-medium thin-wall parts in low to mid volumes; the finer structure raises elongation to 5% and tensile to 155 MPa. | 75 | 155 | 5 | 50 HB | 34 % IACS |
What is EN AC-51000 K-F?
EN AC-51000 K-F is EN AC-51000 in the K-F temper — pick as-cast permanent mould (chill) casting for small-to-medium thin-wall parts in low to mid volumes; the finer structure raises elongation to 5% and tensile to 155 MPa. EN AC-51000 K-F has a yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) — weaker than 91% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). EN AC-51000 K-F has a density of 2.66 g/cm³ (0.0961 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of aluminum grades. It melts at 610°C (1,130 °F). S-F is the default condition FabDigit quotes; K-F is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 82/100, better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 74/100, better than 87% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 75 MPa (10.9 ksi), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
EN AC-51000 K-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN AC-51000 K-F; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EN AC-51000 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
EN AC-51000 K-F has a density of 2.66 g/cm³ (0.0961 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of aluminum grades. It melts at 610°C (1,130 °F).
Mechanical14
EN AC-51000 K-F has a yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) — weaker than 91% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
EN AC-51000 K-F is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 142 W/m·K (82 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 51% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.5 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EN AC-51000 K-F conducts electricity at 34 % IACS, worse than 52% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (74/100), better than 87% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EN AC-51000 K-F takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability8
EN AC-51000 K-F's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with EN AC-51000 K-F
Is EN AC-51000 easy to machine?
Machinability is better than Al-Si alloys because there is no hard primary silicon; HSS or uncoated carbide with a large positive rake and emulsion coolant gives bright surfaces. Chips run long, so use chipbreaker geometry or peck cycles.
Can EN AC-51000 be welded?
Good TIG and MIG weldability with ER5356 or AlMg5 filler. Remove the oxide film completely before welding; as-cast strength is essentially recovered and no post-weld heat treatment is required.
Can EN AC-51000 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting behaviour is moderate: the melt oxidises and picks up hydrogen readily, so use cover flux or inert gas protection, thorough degassing and a low-turbulence gating system. Hot-tearing tendency is high, so keep sections uniform and slightly heavier and enlarge the risers.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-51000?
Anodizing response is excellent, including bright decorative and coloured films; polishing, blasting and powder coating all work well. Brazing is not recommended, and electroless plating requires a dedicated zincate pretreatment.
EN AC-51000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mgmain strengthening element (solid solution) | 2.5 – 3.5 | 3 |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.55 | — |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.55 | — |
| Culimited to maintain corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Mn | ≤ 0.45 | — |
| Ni | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Pb | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Sn | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Others (each)each individual other element | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total)total of other elements | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
EN AC-51000 K-F — frequently asked
What is EN AC-51000 K-F used for?
EN AC-51000 K-F is typically used for marine fittings, decorative architectural castings, food-processing equipment and anodized parts. In short: most decorative cast aluminum; seawater-resistant casting alloy; weldable without post-weld treatment.
What is the yield strength of EN AC-51000 K-F?
EN AC-51000 K-F has a typical yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) — weaker than 91% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is EN AC-51000 K-F easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades). Machinability is better than Al-Si alloys because there is no hard primary silicon; HSS or uncoated carbide with a large positive rake and emulsion coolant gives bright surfaces. Chips run long, so use chipbreaker geometry or peck cycles.
Can EN AC-51000 K-F be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Good TIG and MIG weldability with ER5356 or AlMg5 filler. Remove the oxide film completely before welding; as-cast strength is essentially recovered and no post-weld heat treatment is required.
What surface finishes work on EN AC-51000 K-F?
Anodizing response is excellent, including bright decorative and coloured films; polishing, blasting and powder coating all work well. Brazing is not recommended, and electroless plating requires a dedicated zincate pretreatment.
Can EN AC-51000 K-F be formed, bent or molded?
Casting behaviour is moderate: the melt oxidises and picks up hydrogen readily, so use cover flux or inert gas protection, thorough degassing and a low-turbulence gating system. Hot-tearing tendency is high, so keep sections uniform and slightly heavier and enlarge the risers.
What is the maximum service temperature of EN AC-51000 K-F?
EN AC-51000 K-F is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between EN AC-51000 S-F and EN AC-51000 K-F?
S-F is the default condition — choose the default as-cast sand casting, with no heat treatment, for medium-to-large marine and decorative components at 145 MPa tensile, 70 MPa yield and 3% elongation. K-F: pick as-cast permanent mould (chill) casting for small-to-medium thin-wall parts in low to mid volumes; the finer structure raises elongation to 5% and tensile to 155 MPa. Yield strength is 70 MPa in S-F versus 75 MPa in K-F.
Sources
- EN 1706 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys: Castings — Chemical composition and mechanical properties — CEN (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- ISO 3522 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Castings — ISO (2016)
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.