Aluminum Scalmalloy · print state · default condition
Aluminum Scalmalloy As Printed
Properties of the As Printed condition, compared with the other Scalmalloy tempers.
Baseline condition straight off the machine; already strong from ultrafine solidification grains, chosen when parts are non-critical or will be aged later.
What is Scalmalloy As Printed?
Scalmalloy As Printed is Scalmalloy in the As Printed condition — baseline condition straight off the machine; already strong from ultrafine solidification grains, chosen when parts are non-critical or will be aged later. Scalmalloy As Printed 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). Scalmalloy As Printed 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).
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 As Printed properties
Typical room-temperature values for Scalmalloy As Printed — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every Scalmalloy temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
Scalmalloy As Printed 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 As Printed 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 As Printed 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 As Printed 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 As Printed 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 As Printed's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 58% 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.
Other Scalmalloy tempers and conditions
Scalmalloy is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the Scalmalloy overview.
- As PrintedDefaultBaseline condition straight off the machine; already strong from ultrafine solidification grains, chosen when parts are non-critical or will be aged later.285 MPa yield · 100 HB
- T6Standard delivery condition for structural parts: peak Al3(Sc,Zr) precipitation gives ~500 MPa UTS with double-digit ductility (no solution treatment/quench needed).480 MPa yield · 145 HB
Working with Scalmalloy As Printed
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 5xxx-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.
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.
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 | — |
Scalmalloy As Printed — frequently asked
What is Scalmalloy As Printed used for?
Scalmalloy As Printed 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 As Printed?
Scalmalloy As Printed 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 As Printed easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 58% 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 As Printed be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). TIG/MIG and friction-stir weldable with 5xxx-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 As Printed?
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 As Printed 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 As Printed?
Scalmalloy As Printed 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in Scalmalloy As Printed?
Yes — Scalmalloy As Printed 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.