Aluminum ZL101
GB ZL101 · EN AC-42100, AC-42000 · JIS AC4C
ZL101 is a heat-treatable Al-7Si-Mg casting alloy (ZAlSi7Mg) that corresponds to AA A356.0, EN AC-42100 and JIS AC4C.
Values for the T6 condition
ZL101 tempers and conditions
ZL101 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. T6 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cooled from hot working, cold worked and naturally aged | Pick when maximum dimensional stability and freedom from casting stress matter more than strength. | 80 | 150 | 4 | 47 HB | 43 % IACS |
As fabricated | Cheapest condition for low-stress housings and covers where dimensional stability after machining is not critical. | 90 | 175 | 4 | 52 HB | 41 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Best ductility/toughness combination — choose for impact-loaded or straightened castings. | 115 | 210 | 8 | 55 HB | 36 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked and artificially aged | Softened, maximum-stability condition for precision machined parts and hot-service components. | 140 | 200 | 5 | 57 HB | 41 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Compromise temper: most of the T6 strength with better elongation and a shorter cycle. | 170 | 235 | 4 | 68 HB | 38 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Choose for parts that must stay dimensionally stable at elevated temperature or need better toughness than T6. | 175 | 230 | 4 | 62 HB | 40 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Default structural temper — highest strength and hardness for wheels, pump/valve bodies and load-bearing housings. | 200 | 265 | 5 | 80 HB | 39 % IACS |
What is ZL101?
ZL101 is a heat-treatable Al-7Si-Mg casting alloy (ZAlSi7Mg) that corresponds to AA A356.0, EN AC-42100 and JIS AC4C. It is chosen for sand, shell, gravity and low-pressure castings that need a balance of strength, castability and heat transfer: 200 MPa yield, 265 MPa tensile, 5 % elongation, 80 HB and 151 W/m·K at 39 % IACS. Service temperature is limited to about 150 °C and corrosion resistance is only moderate (score 58), so conversion-coated or painted surfaces are normal for outdoor use. A356.0 is the direct substitute where that designation is easier to source. ZL101 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 555°C (1,031 °F). ZL101 has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) — stronger than 53% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
What is ZL101 used for?
- Automotive road wheels
- General-purpose sand and gravity castings
- Gearbox and pump housings
- Electric-motor and inverter housings
- Structural brackets and mounting bosses
- Intake manifolds and covers
- Heat-transfer castings and cooling jackets
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
ZL101 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL101-T6; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ZL101 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 555°C (1,031 °F).
Mechanical12
ZL101 has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) — stronger than 53% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
ZL101 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 21.5 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZL101 conducts electricity at 39 % IACS, better than 65% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), better than 57% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZL101 takes about 195 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 86% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability6
ZL101's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100).
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. ZL101 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ZL101
Is ZL101 easy to machine?
Machines easily in T5/T6 with polished-flute carbide or PCD tools, high speed and flood coolant; eutectic Si is abrasive and gummy in the F/T2 conditions, so avoid low speeds and dull edges.
Can ZL101 be welded?
Readily TIG/MIG welded with ER4043 (or ER4047 for crack-prone joints); weld before heat treatment and re-solution/age when full T6 properties are required across the weld.
Can ZL101 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity for sand, shell, plaster, low-pressure and gravity permanent-mould casting; degas, filter and Sr/Na-modify plus Ti-B refine, and design directional solidification with risers to avoid shrinkage porosity — solution treat at ~535 °C and quench in warm water.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to ZL101. Every ZL101 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Good72 / 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 |
ZL101 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sieutectic former; Sr or Na modification refines it | 6.5 – 7.5 | 7 |
| MgMg2Si precipitation strengthening | 0.25 – 0.45 | 0.35 |
| Ti0.08–0.20 % specified for ZL101A (grain refinement) | ≤ 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Fe≤0.5 % for sand cast ZL101; ≤0.2 % for high-purity ZL101A | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Cuimpurity limit | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Mnimpurity limit | ≤ 0.35 | |
| Znimpurity limit | ≤ 0.3 | |
| others (each)total others ≤ 0.15 % | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on ZL101?
Chromate/trivalent conversion coating or powder paint for general corrosion protection; hard anodize for wear, but expect a grey mottled anodic film and avoid bright decorative anodizing.
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
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum ZL101 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AC-42100AC-42000
- GB (China)
- ZAlSi7Mg
- JIS
- AC4C
- Other
- A356.0
How much does ZL101 cost?
ZL101 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 82% 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.
ZL101 — frequently asked
What is ZL101 used for?
ZL101 is typically used for automotive road wheels, general-purpose sand and gravity castings, gearbox and pump housings, electric-motor and inverter housings, structural brackets and mounting bosses and intake manifolds and covers. In short: china GB Al-Si-Mg cast; A356 equivalent.
What is the yield strength of ZL101?
ZL101 has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) — stronger than 53% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is ZL101 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades). Machines easily in T5/T6 with polished-flute carbide or PCD tools, high speed and flood coolant; eutectic Si is abrasive and gummy in the F/T2 conditions, so avoid low speeds and dull edges.
Can ZL101 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Readily TIG/MIG welded with ER4043 (or ER4047 for crack-prone joints); weld before heat treatment and re-solution/age when full T6 properties are required across the weld.
What surface finishes work on ZL101?
Chromate/trivalent conversion coating or powder paint for general corrosion protection; hard anodize for wear, but expect a grey mottled anodic film and avoid bright decorative anodizing.
Can ZL101 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity for sand, shell, plaster, low-pressure and gravity permanent-mould casting; degas, filter and Sr/Na-modify plus Ti-B refine, and design directional solidification with risers to avoid shrinkage porosity — solution treat at ~535 °C and quench in warm water.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZL101?
ZL101 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 ZL101-T6 and ZL101-T2?
T6 is the default condition — default structural temper — highest strength and hardness for wheels, pump/valve bodies and load-bearing housings. T2: pick when maximum dimensional stability and freedom from casting stress matter more than strength. Yield strength is 200 MPa in T6 versus 80 MPa in T2.
How much does ZL101 cost?
ZL101 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 82% 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 ZL101?
Yes — ZL101 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
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys (A356) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 15 — Casting — ASM International (2008)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- ASTM B26 / B108 (A356 sand and permanent mould castings) — ASTM (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.