Aluminum Scalmalloy
EN AlMgSc
High-strength scandium-modified Al-Mg alloy developed specifically for LPBF, offering strength approaching titanium-grade aluminum with excellent fatigue life; the de-facto industry-standard aerospace AM aluminum alloy.
Values for the As Printed condition
Scalmalloy tempers and conditions
Scalmalloy is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. As Printed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As PrintedDefault as-built L-PBF, no post heat treatment | Baseline condition straight off the machine; already strong from ultrafine solidification grains, chosen when parts are non-critical or will be aged later. | 285 | 400 | 14 | 100 HB | 26 % IACS |
low-temperature anneal (~300 °C, 2 h) to relax build stresses | Pick when distortion after plate removal is the main risk; partial Sc precipitation already raises strength above as-built. | 390 | 460 | 14 | 123 HB | 25 % IACS |
Hot isostatic pressed | Choose for fatigue-critical or fracture-critical flight hardware where internal gas porosity must be eliminated; HIP temperature must be kept low or Sc dispersoids coarsen. | 390 | 470 | 17 | 123 HB | 26 % IACS |
hot isostatic pressed then peak aged | Best combination for fatigue-loaded aerospace brackets: porosity closed and full precipitation strength restored by the subsequent 325 °C age. | 470 | 515 | 15 | 143 HB | 28 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard delivery condition for structural parts: peak Al3(Sc,Zr) precipitation gives ~500 MPa UTS with double-digit ductility (no solution treatment/quench needed). | 480 | 520 | 13 | 145 HB | 30 % IACS |
What is Scalmalloy?
High-strength scandium-modified Al-Mg alloy developed specifically for LPBF, offering strength approaching titanium-grade aluminum with excellent fatigue life; the de-facto industry-standard aerospace AM aluminum alloy. Scalmalloy has a density of 2.67 g/cm³ (0.0965 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F). Scalmalloy has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is Scalmalloy used for?
- Aerospace structural brackets
- Satellite and launcher fittings
- Motorsport suspension and upright components
- UAV airframe structures
- Topology-optimised load-carrying brackets
- Robotic arm structures
- Lattice-cored stiffened panels
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 82% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 14%, better than 81% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), better than 76% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 26 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 100% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 26 % IACS, worse than 90% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 110 W/m·K (63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
Scalmalloy properties
Typical room-temperature values for Scalmalloy-As Printed; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
Scalmalloy has a density of 2.67 g/cm³ (0.0965 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F).
Mechanical13
Scalmalloy has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
Scalmalloy is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 110 W/m·K (63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.5 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Scalmalloy conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, worse than 90% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 71% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Scalmalloy takes about 350 MJ of energy and emits 26 kg of CO₂ — more than 100% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability7
Scalmalloy's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades); weldability 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. Scalmalloy is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Scalmalloy
Is Scalmalloy easy to machine?
Machines like 5083 — sharp uncoated or polished-flute carbide, high rake, generous coolant to stop built-up edge; aged material cuts cleaner than as-built.
Can Scalmalloy be welded?
TIG/MIG and friction-stir weldable with 5000-series-type filler, but the HAZ over-ages and can lose 30–40 % of yield strength; re-age at 325 °C where geometry allows.
Can Scalmalloy be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as gas-atomised powder for L-PBF (typ. 15–53 µm, N₂/Ar atmosphere, ~200–400 W, heated plate ~150–200 °C); not intended for conventional casting or wrought forming.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to Scalmalloy. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
3D printing
| Technologies | DMLS |
|---|---|
| Layer height | 20 – 60 µmdefault 30 µm |
| Minimum wall / feature | 0.5 / 0.3 mm |
| Build envelope | 250 × 250 × 325 mm |
| Supports | Yes |
| Anisotropy | Mild |
| Mandatory post-processing | heat treatment |
Scalmalloy 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mgsolid-solution strengthening | 4 – 4.9 | 4.5 |
| Scforms Al3(Sc,Zr) nano-precipitates | 0.6 – 0.8 | 0.7 |
| Zrco-precipitates with Sc, thermal stability | 0.2 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.4 | 0.1 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.4 | 0.15 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Znimpurity limit | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Cukept low for corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Opowder oxygen content | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on Scalmalloy?
Blast/tumble to remove partly-melted particles, then chemical mill or machine critical faces; anodises well (type II or hard coat) and accepts chromate-free conversion coatings and primers.
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
Metal Finish
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum Scalmalloy in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AlMgSc
- Also called
- Sc-AlloyAl-Mg4.5Sc0.66Zr
How much does Scalmalloy cost?
Scalmalloy is a specialty-cost aluminum ($$$$$), pricier than about 100% 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.
Scalmalloy — frequently asked
What is Scalmalloy used for?
Scalmalloy is typically used for aerospace structural brackets, satellite and launcher fittings, motorsport suspension and upright components, UAV airframe structures, topology-optimised load-carrying brackets and robotic arm structures. In short: high-strength LPBF aluminum.
What is the yield strength of Scalmalloy?
Scalmalloy has a typical yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 73% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Scalmalloy easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades). Machines like 5083 — sharp uncoated or polished-flute carbide, high rake, generous coolant to stop built-up edge; aged material cuts cleaner than as-built.
Can Scalmalloy be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). TIG/MIG and friction-stir weldable with 5000-series-type filler, but the HAZ over-ages and can lose 30–40 % of yield strength; re-age at 325 °C where geometry allows.
What surface finishes work on Scalmalloy?
Blast/tumble to remove partly-melted particles, then chemical mill or machine critical faces; anodises well (type II or hard coat) and accepts chromate-free conversion coatings and primers.
Can Scalmalloy be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as gas-atomised powder for L-PBF (typ. 15–53 µm, N₂/Ar atmosphere, ~200–400 W, heated plate ~150–200 °C); not intended for conventional casting or wrought forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of Scalmalloy?
Scalmalloy 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 Scalmalloy As Printed and Scalmalloy-T6?
As Printed is the default condition — baseline condition straight off the machine; already strong from ultrafine solidification grains, chosen when parts are non-critical or will be aged later. T6: standard delivery condition for structural parts: peak Al3(Sc,Zr) precipitation gives ~500 MPa UTS with double-digit ductility (no solution treatment/quench needed). Yield strength is 285 MPa in As Printed versus 480 MPa in T6.
How much does Scalmalloy cost?
Scalmalloy is a specialty-cost aluminum ($$$$$), pricier than about 100% 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 Scalmalloy?
Yes — Scalmalloy is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Scalmalloy material data sheet — APWorks GmbH (Airbus) (2021)
- Scalmalloy powder for laser powder bed fusion — Toyal / Heraeus AMLOY-class licensed producers (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Aluminum Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Additive manufacturing Al-Mg-Sc mechanical property compilations — peer-reviewed L-PBF literature (2023)
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.