Aluminum QC-10
QC-10 is a proprietary Alcoa/Arconic high-strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu plate (7000-series family, composition close to 7050) supplied pre-stretched and stress-relieved for injection and blow moulds, fixtures and prototype cavities.
QC-10 tempers and conditions
QC-10 is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard supply condition | The only commercially stocked condition: solution heat treated, stretch/stress-relieved and overaged thick plate ready for direct cavity machining. | 483 | 538 | 9 | 165 HB | 40 % IACS |
T74, stress relieved by stretching | Use this designation when the mould plate must be called out by an equivalent registered 7000-series temper; properties match the standard QC-10 supply condition. | 483 | 538 | 9 | 165 HB | 40 % IACS |
What is QC-10?
QC-10 is a proprietary Alcoa/Arconic high-strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu plate (7000-series family, composition close to 7050) supplied pre-stretched and stress-relieved for injection and blow moulds, fixtures and prototype cavities. With about 165 HB hardness, roughly 480 MPa yield strength and about 155 W/m·K thermal conductivity it substitutes for P20 steel, shortening moulding cycles and reducing mould weight. Limits are poor weldability, lower wear and indentation resistance than steel, continuous service to about 150 °C, and supply in a single stress-relieved (T7451-type) plate condition; 7075-T651 plate is the nearest general alternative. QC-10 has a density of 2.85 g/cm³ (0.103 lb/in³), heavier than 96% of aluminum grades. It melts at 490°C (914 °F). QC-10 has a yield strength of 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 538 MPa (78 ksi) — stronger than 95% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 71.5 GPa (10.4 Msi).
What is QC-10 used for?
- Plastic injection mould cavities and cores
- Blow moulds
- Prototype and bridge tooling
- Mould bases and frames
- Vacuum-forming and thermoforming tools
- Machining fixtures and jigs
Advantages
- High strength — 483 MPa (70.1 ksi), better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 93% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 34 MPa·√m (30.9 ksi·√in), better than 90% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades
QC-10 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
QC-10 has a density of 2.85 g/cm³ (0.103 lb/in³), heavier than 96% of aluminum grades. It melts at 490°C (914 °F).
Mechanical13
QC-10 has a yield strength of 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 538 MPa (78 ksi) — stronger than 95% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 71.5 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
QC-10 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 155 W/m·K (89.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 71% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.5 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
QC-10 conducts electricity at 40 % IACS, better than 72% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 62% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of QC-10 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability7
QC-10's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (20/100).
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. QC-10 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with QC-10
Is QC-10 easy to machine?
Cuts 3–5× faster than P20 steel with polished-flute carbide, high rake and air/MQL or flood coolant; excellent for high-speed cavity roughing but watch chip evacuation in deep pockets.
Can QC-10 be welded?
Not arc weldable in the normal sense — repair by TIG with 7000 series/4043 filler loses local strength and hardness; prefer laser cladding, friction-stir or mechanical inserts.
Can QC-10 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied only as stress-relieved thick plate for material removal; avoid cold forming and avoid re-solution treating, which destroys the flatness and residual-stress balance.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to QC-10. Every QC-10 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent85 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 350 / 420 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
QC-10 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Znproprietary chemistry, close to AA 7050 | 5.7 – 6.7 | 6.2 |
| Mg | 1.9 – 2.6 | 2.2 |
| Cu | 2 – 2.6 | 2.3 |
| Zrgrain-structure control | 0.08 – 0.15 | 0.11 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.12 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Cr | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.06 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on QC-10?
Hard (Type III) anodize, electroless nickel or PVD for wear and corrosion protection of cavities; can be polished to a fine mould finish but is easily dented, so plate protective coatings on high-wear faces.
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).
Passivation
Conversion Coating
PVD Coating
How much does QC-10 cost?
QC-10 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), pricier than about 57% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
QC-10 — frequently asked
What is QC-10 used for?
QC-10 is typically used for plastic injection mould cavities and cores, blow moulds, prototype and bridge tooling, mould bases and frames, vacuum-forming and thermoforming tools and machining fixtures and jigs. In short: high-strength mold plate.
What is the yield strength of QC-10?
QC-10 has a typical yield strength of 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 538 MPa (78 ksi) — stronger than 95% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is QC-10 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades). Cuts 3–5× faster than P20 steel with polished-flute carbide, high rake and air/MQL or flood coolant; excellent for high-speed cavity roughing but watch chip evacuation in deep pockets.
Can QC-10 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not arc weldable in the normal sense — repair by TIG with 7000 series/4043 filler loses local strength and hardness; prefer laser cladding, friction-stir or mechanical inserts.
What surface finishes work on QC-10?
Hard (Type III) anodize, electroless nickel or PVD for wear and corrosion protection of cavities; can be polished to a fine mould finish but is easily dented, so plate protective coatings on high-wear faces.
Can QC-10 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied only as stress-relieved thick plate for material removal; avoid cold forming and avoid re-solution treating, which destroys the flatness and residual-stress balance.
What is the maximum service temperature of QC-10?
QC-10 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does QC-10 cost?
QC-10 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), pricier than about 57% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in QC-10?
Yes — QC-10 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
- Alcoa QC-10 Aluminum Mold Plate technical data — Alcoa / Arconic (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- MMPDS-17 (7050 plate allowables, analogue data) — Battelle/FAA (2022)
- Aluminum Association Teal Sheets — Alloy and Temper Designations — The Aluminum Association (2018)
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.