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Aluminum K100-S-F (As fabricated)

Temper

Un-stress-relieved cast plate or off-cut stock; acceptable for non-critical fixtures where post-machining movement is tolerable.

CNC machiningStandard cost $$

Values for the F condition

Other K100-S tempers and conditions

K100-S is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at K100-S.

Compare all 2 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
FThis page
As fabricated
Un-stress-relieved cast plate or off-cut stock; acceptable for non-critical fixtures where post-machining movement is tolerable.105180370 HB32 % IACS
As-cast, thermally stress-relieved, double-side machined plate
The only normally stocked condition: use it wherever flatness and stress-free machining matter more than strength.110180370 HB32 % IACS

What is K100-S-F?

K100-S-F is K100-S in the F temper — un-stress-relieved cast plate or off-cut stock; acceptable for non-critical fixtures where post-machining movement is tolerable. K100-S-F has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) — weaker than 84% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). K100-S-F has a density of 2.66 g/cm³ (0.0961 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of aluminum grades. It melts at 570°C (1,058 °F).

Advantages

  • Low embodied carbon — 9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 99% of aluminum grades
  • Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades
  • Good corrosion resistance — 68/100, better than 75% of aluminum grades

Limitations

  • Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
  • Low strength — 105 MPa (15.2 ksi), worse than 84% of aluminum grades
  • Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 79% of aluminum grades

K100-S-F properties

Typical room-temperature values for K100-S-F; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are K100-S reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.

Physical3

K100-S-F has a density of 2.66 g/cm³ (0.0961 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of aluminum grades. It melts at 570°C (1,058 °F).

Density2.66 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)570°C1,058 °F
Liquidus Temperature640°C1,184 °F

Mechanical10

K100-S-F has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) — weaker than 84% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus70 GPa10.2 Msi
Shear Modulus26 GPa3.8 Msi
Bulk Modulus69 GPa10 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.33
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)180 MPa26.1 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)105 MPa15.2 ksi
Elongation at Break3%
Shear Strength115 MPa16.7 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)70 MPa10.2 ksi
Hardness, Brinell70 HB

Thermal6

K100-S-F is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 140 W/m·K (80.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 52% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.8 µm/m·K (13.2 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity140 W/m·K80.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity900 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)23.8 µm/m·K13.2 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion390 J/g168 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)150°C302 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical3

K100-S-F conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, worse than 63% of aluminum grades.

Electrical Conductivity32 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity5.4×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.13 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 75% of aluminum grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.86 V
Corrosion ResistanceGood68/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood in air, fresh water and mild coolants; resists most neutral organics and machining fluids. Attacked by strong acids and alkalis (pH <4 / >9); cast micro-porosity can trap water-based coolant and cause staining, so keep surfaces oiled or hard-coated.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of K100-S-F takes about 150 MJ of energy and emits 9 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)9 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water1,100 L/kg132 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content50%

Manufacturability8

K100-S-F's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades); weldability good (60/100); formability not recommended (12/100).

MachinabilityExcellent85/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)185%
WeldabilityGood60/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended12/100
CastabilityVery good80/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityPoor25/100
PolishabilityFair40/100
Anodizing Responsefair — hardcoat (Type III) works well for wear and is common on tooling plate; decorative/clear anodize tends to look mottled or grey-blotchy because of the cast grain structure and micro-porosity

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with K100-S-F

Is K100-S easy to machine?

Outstanding: cuts freely with polished-flute carbide, holds flatness after heavy one-side milling because the plate is stress-relieved; use sharp tools and air/mist to avoid the slightly gummy Al–Mg smearing.

Can K100-S be welded?

GTAW/GMAW with 5356 filler is possible for repairs, but cast micro-porosity outgasses — pre-mill the joint, expect porosity and local distortion, and re-stress-relieve if flatness is critical.

Can K100-S be formed, bent or molded?

Not a forming alloy — the cast structure has 2–5 % elongation, so no bending, rolling or stamping; produce all shape by machining.

What surface finishes work on K100-S?

Hard anodize (Type III) or electroless nickel for wear surfaces; decorative anodize is blotchy, so painting, bead blast or black hardcoat are the usual cosmetic routes; polishing reveals scattered pinholes.

K100-S 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Mgproprietary Al–Mg cast-plate chemistry, approximately in the 5052/5083 magnesium range; exact limits not published4 – 5.54.8
Mngrain/structure control0 – 0.50.2
Siimpurity limit (typical for cast tooling plate)≤ 0.4—
Feimpurity limit≤ 0.5—
Cuimpurity limit≤ 0.2—
Cr≤ 0.25—
Zn≤ 0.2—
Tigrain refiner≤ 0.2—
Albalance—

K100-S-F — frequently asked

What is K100-S-F used for?

K100-S-F is typically used for tooling and mould plates, composite layup moulds, vacuum chuck plates, inspection and gauge fixtures, injection and blow mould frames and automation equipment base plates. In short: premium cast tool plate.

What is the yield strength of K100-S-F?

K100-S-F has a typical yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) — weaker than 84% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.

Is K100-S-F easy to machine?

Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades). Outstanding: cuts freely with polished-flute carbide, holds flatness after heavy one-side milling because the plate is stress-relieved; use sharp tools and air/mist to avoid the slightly gummy Al–Mg smearing.

Can K100-S-F be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). GTAW/GMAW with 5356 filler is possible for repairs, but cast micro-porosity outgasses — pre-mill the joint, expect porosity and local distortion, and re-stress-relieve if flatness is critical.

What surface finishes work on K100-S-F?

Hard anodize (Type III) or electroless nickel for wear surfaces; decorative anodize is blotchy, so painting, bead blast or black hardcoat are the usual cosmetic routes; polishing reveals scattered pinholes.

Can K100-S-F be formed, bent or molded?

Not a forming alloy — the cast structure has 2–5 % elongation, so no bending, rolling or stamping; produce all shape by machining.

What is the maximum service temperature of K100-S-F?

K100-S-F 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.

Can FabDigit make parts in K100-S-F?

Yes — K100-S-F is available for CNC machining; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.

Sources

  1. K100-S cast aluminum tooling plate data sheet — Vista Metals Corp. (2022)
  2. Cast aluminum tooling plate property records (Mic 6 / Alca 5 / ATP-5 class) — MatWeb (2024)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. Aluminum Standards and Data (Al–Mg alloy reference values) — The Aluminum Association (2017)

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.