Aluminum LM16
BS LM16
LM16 is an AlSi5Cu1Mg casting alloy to BS 1490, comparable to ASTM 355.0, in which about 1.2% copper plus magnesium provides precipitation strengthening in the TB, TB7 and TF conditions.
Reference datasheet — LM16 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 TF condition
LM16 tempers and conditions
LM16 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. TF 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thermomechanically controlled processed | Lowest-cost condition for lightly loaded, dimensionally stable parts where heat-treat distortion is unacceptable. | 85 | 155 | 2 | 65 HB | 40 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Choose when ductility and shock resistance matter more than peak strength (equivalent to T4). | 110 | 200 | 3 | 75 HB | 35 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and stabilised | Use for castings that must stay dimensionally stable in service at elevated temperature, accepting lower strength. | 130 | 180 | 3 | 80 HB | 39 % IACS |
TFDefault Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard high-strength condition for LM16 — pick it for pressure-tight, medium-strength gravity-die or sand castings. | 220 | 250 | 2 | 105 HB | 37 % IACS |
What is LM16?
LM16 is an AlSi5Cu1Mg casting alloy to BS 1490, comparable to ASTM 355.0, in which about 1.2% copper plus magnesium provides precipitation strengthening in the TB, TB7 and TF conditions. It is specified for medium-strength sand and gravity die castings, reaching 220 MPa yield, 250 MPa tensile, 2% elongation and 105 HB with 151 W/m·K thermal conductivity. Machinability is good (70) but weldability is limited (40) by copper-related hot cracking and corrosion resistance is moderate (52); LM25/356.0-type alloys are the alternative where weld repair and corrosion performance dominate. LM16 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 550°C (1,022 °F). LM16 has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is LM16 used for?
- Pump housings
- Structural brackets
- Valve and manifold bodies
- Gearbox and crankcase castings
- Compressor components
- Pressure-tight instrument housings
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 87% of aluminum grades
LM16 properties
Typical room-temperature values for LM16-TF; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
LM16 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 550°C (1,022 °F).
Mechanical14
LM16 has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
LM16 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 151 W/m·K (87.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 63% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.4 µm/m·K (12.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
LM16 conducts electricity at 37 % IACS, better than 58% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (52/100), worse than 55% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of LM16 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
LM16's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (40/100).
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. LM16 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with LM16
Is LM16 easy to machine?
Machines well in TF with sharp carbide (PCD for volume), high speed and flood coolant; free-cutting chips, but eutectic Si is abrasive on HSS.
Can LM16 be welded?
TIG/MIG possible with 4043/4047 filler but the 1.2% Cu gives hot-cracking sensitivity — re-solution treat and age after major weld repair.
Can LM16 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand and gravity-die (chill) casting alloy with good fluidity and pressure tightness; chill casting plus Sr/Na modification and Ti-B refinement give the best properties; not suitable for high-pressure die casting when full heat treatment is required.
LM16 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 | 4.5 – 5.5 | 5 |
| Cu | 1 – 1.5 | 1.25 |
| Mg | 0.4 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Felower limit preferred for die/chill castings | ≤ 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Sn | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on LM16?
Takes paint and chromate/chemical conversion coatings well; anodising is only fair (grey, patchy) — use hard anodise or impregnation for wear/sealing rather than decoration.
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 LM16 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- 355.0
How much does LM16 cost?
LM16 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.
LM16 — frequently asked
What is LM16 used for?
LM16 is typically used for pump housings, structural brackets, valve and manifold bodies, gearbox and crankcase castings, compressor components and pressure-tight instrument housings. In short: best-machining Al-Si-Cu casting; medium-strength sand castings; hot-crack sensitive weld.
What is the yield strength of LM16?
LM16 has a typical yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is LM16 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades). Machines well in TF with sharp carbide (PCD for volume), high speed and flood coolant; free-cutting chips, but eutectic Si is abrasive on HSS.
Can LM16 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). TIG/MIG possible with 4043/4047 filler but the 1.2% Cu gives hot-cracking sensitivity — re-solution treat and age after major weld repair.
What surface finishes work on LM16?
Takes paint and chromate/chemical conversion coatings well; anodising is only fair (grey, patchy) — use hard anodise or impregnation for wear/sealing rather than decoration.
Can LM16 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand and gravity-die (chill) casting alloy with good fluidity and pressure tightness; chill casting plus Sr/Na modification and Ti-B refinement give the best properties; not suitable for high-pressure die casting when full heat treatment is required.
What is the maximum service temperature of LM16?
LM16 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 LM16-TF and LM16-M?
TF is the default condition — standard high-strength condition for LM16 — pick it for pressure-tight, medium-strength gravity-die or sand castings. M: lowest-cost condition for lightly loaded, dimensionally stable parts where heat-treat distortion is unacceptable. Yield strength is 220 MPa in TF versus 85 MPa in M.
How much does LM16 cost?
LM16 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
- BS 1490: Aluminium and aluminium alloy ingots and castings for general engineering purposes — BSI (1988)
- ASTM B26/B26M — Aluminum-Alloy Sand Castings (355.0) — ASTM (2018)
- GB/T 1173 (ZL105) — SAC (2013)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys — ASM International (1993)
- UK foundry LM16 alloy data sheets (heat-treated sand/chill properties) — various foundries (2020)
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.