Aluminum SAlSi-1
ASTM AWS A5.10 ER4043
SAlSi-1 is an Al-Si arc welding filler equivalent to AWS A5.10 ER4043, the most widely stocked general-purpose wire for 6000 series and cast aluminum fabrication.
Reference datasheet — SAlSi-1 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 AW condition
SAlSi-1 tempers and conditions
SAlSi-1 is supplied in one standard condition, AW. AW is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways SAlSi-1 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Rod-Straight | Cut-length TIG rod, straightened/softened | Supply form |
Wire-Drawn | Wire, as-drawn | Supply form |
What is SAlSi-1?
SAlSi-1 is an Al-Si arc welding filler equivalent to AWS A5.10 ER4043, the most widely stocked general-purpose wire for 6000 series and cast aluminum fabrication. Engineers choose it for its hot-crack resistance and smooth bead profile; it is supplied as spooled drawn wire and straightened cut rod for GTAW and GMAW. As-welded properties are around 165 MPa tensile, 55 MPa yield, 12% elongation, 40 HB, 163 W/m·K, 42% IACS and a service limit near 150 °C, with a machinability score of 45. It is not suitable for 5000-series alloys above about 2.5% Mg and turns dark on anodizing, where ER5356 (SAlMg-2) is the better filler. SAlSi-1 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F). SAlSi-1 has a yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is SAlSi-1 used for?
- 6061/6063 fabrication
- cast aluminum repair welds
- general aluminum structural welding
Advantages
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 99% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 42 % IACS, better than 81% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 163 W/m·K (94.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 77% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 60/100, better than 77% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 55 MPa (7.98 ksi), worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
SAlSi-1 properties
Typical room-temperature values for SAlSi-1-AW; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
SAlSi-1 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F).
Mechanical10
SAlSi-1 has a yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
SAlSi-1 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 163 W/m·K (94.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 77% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22 µm/m·K (12.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
SAlSi-1 conducts electricity at 42 % IACS, better than 81% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), better than 67% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SAlSi-1 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
SAlSi-1's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability good (60/100).
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. SAlSi-1 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with SAlSi-1
Is SAlSi-1 easy to machine?
Weld deposits machine like an Al-Si casting alloy — use sharp polished carbide, high speed, generous coolant; expect burrs and abrasive Si particles.
Can SAlSi-1 be welded?
Designed as the filler itself: excellent for 6061/6063 and 3xx.x castings, DCEP-free AC or DC GTAW/pulsed GMAW; do not use on 5000-series alloys above ~2.5 % Mg.
Can SAlSi-1 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as drawn wire or straightened rod only; cold ductility is limited by the eutectic Si so avoid tight re-bending of hard-drawn spool wire.
SAlSi-1 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 – 6 | 5.2 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.8 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Mg | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.2 | |
| BeBe limit per AWS A5.10 / GB/T 10858 | ≤ 3×10⁻⁴ | |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on SAlSi-1?
Paint or chromate/conversion coat freely; anodizing turns the weld dark gray, and mechanical polishing leaves a duller streaky finish than the base metal.
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 SAlSi-1 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- AWS A5.10 ER4043
- Other
- 4043
How much does SAlSi-1 cost?
SAlSi-1 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
SAlSi-1 — frequently asked
What is SAlSi-1 used for?
SAlSi-1 is typically used for 6061/6063 fabrication, cast aluminum repair welds and general aluminum structural welding. In short: most-stocked aluminum welding wire; best hot-crack resistance on 6000 series; darkens after anodizing.
What is the yield strength of SAlSi-1?
SAlSi-1 has a typical yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of aluminum grades.
Is SAlSi-1 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades). Weld deposits machine like an Al-Si casting alloy — use sharp polished carbide, high speed, generous coolant; expect burrs and abrasive Si particles.
Can SAlSi-1 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Designed as the filler itself: excellent for 6061/6063 and 3xx.x castings, DCEP-free AC or DC GTAW/pulsed GMAW; do not use on 5000-series alloys above ~2.5 % Mg.
What surface finishes work on SAlSi-1?
Paint or chromate/conversion coat freely; anodizing turns the weld dark gray, and mechanical polishing leaves a duller streaky finish than the base metal.
Can SAlSi-1 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as drawn wire or straightened rod only; cold ductility is limited by the eutectic Si so avoid tight re-bending of hard-drawn spool wire.
What is the maximum service temperature of SAlSi-1?
SAlSi-1 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does SAlSi-1 cost?
SAlSi-1 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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
- AWS A5.10/A5.10M — Bare Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Welding Electrodes and Rods — American Welding Society (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- 4043 filler alloy technical data — AlcoTec / ESAB (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.