Aluminum ZL101A
JIS AC4CH
ZL101A (AC4CH) is a high-purity GB/T 1173 AlSi7Mg casting alloy with tightened impurity limits for better ductility and fatigue life, broadly equivalent to A356.0 and heat treatable from T2 and T4 through T5, T6, T61 and T7.
Reference datasheet — ZL101A 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 T6 condition
ZL101A tempers and conditions
ZL101A 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 low residual stress matter more than strength. | 85 | 165 | 6 | 50 HB | 44 % IACS |
As fabricated | Cheapest condition for low-stress, dimensionally stable parts where strength is not critical. | 90 | 175 | 5 | 55 HB | 43 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Best ductility and impact toughness; used where parts are straightened, riveted or must absorb energy. | 130 | 235 | 10 | 65 HB | 37 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Low-distortion, low-cost strengthening (no solution quench) for thin permanent-mould or low-pressure castings. | 180 | 255 | 4 | 72 HB | 41 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Choose for dimensional stability at elevated temperature and better toughness, at ~15% lower strength than T6. | 200 | 250 | 8 | 75 HB | 41 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | The standard stocked condition: peak strength with useful ductility for wheels, knuckles, structural castings. | 220 | 290 | 6 | 85 HB | 39 % IACS |
T6 variant, underaged | Longer/hotter age than T6 for maximum hardness and machining stability where ductility can be traded away. | 245 | 310 | 4 | 92 HB | 40 % IACS |
What is ZL101A?
ZL101A (AC4CH) is a high-purity GB/T 1173 AlSi7Mg casting alloy with tightened impurity limits for better ductility and fatigue life, broadly equivalent to A356.0 and heat treatable from T2 and T4 through T5, T6, T61 and T7. It is chosen for gravity, low-pressure and sand castings such as wheels, aerospace parts and structural brackets, at 220 MPa yield, 290 MPa tensile, 6% elongation, HB 85 and 151 W/m·K thermal conductivity (39% IACS). Service is limited to about 150 °C, anodized films are grey and silicon-mottled, and the tighter chemistry adds melt cost; A356.0 is the direct substitute where local supply is easier. ZL101A has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 557°C (1,035 °F). ZL101A has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
What is ZL101A used for?
- automotive wheels
- aerospace castings
- structural brackets
ZL101A properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL101A-T6; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ZL101A has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 557°C (1,035 °F).
Mechanical13
ZL101A has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
ZL101A 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
ZL101A conducts electricity at 39 % IACS, better than 65% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), better than 67% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZL101A takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
ZL101A's machinability is good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability poor (15/100).
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. ZL101A is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ZL101A
Is ZL101A easy to machine?
Machines freely with sharp PCD or polished-flute carbide tools and high speed; the Si eutectic is abrasive, so coolant and PCD tooling pay off in production.
Can ZL101A be welded?
Readily TIG/MIG welded with ER4043 or ER4047 filler (ER5356 if anodizing colour match is needed); re-solution + re-age after welding to restore T6 properties.
Can ZL101A be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity and pressure tightness for gravity, low-pressure and sand casting; use Sr modification, Al-5Ti-1B refinement and directional solidification to avoid shrink porosity.
ZL101A 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 |
|---|---|---|
| SiSr or Na modified for fine eutectic | 6.5 – 7.5 | 7 |
| MgMg2Si precipitation hardening | 0.25 – 0.45 | 0.35 |
| Tigrain refiner (Al-Ti-B) | 0.08 – 0.2 | 0.13 |
| Fe≤0.12 typical for premium/A356.2 ingot | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Others (each)total ≤0.15 | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on ZL101A?
Takes hard and sulphuric anodize for wear/corrosion protection but with a dark grey silicon-mottled look; powder coat, chromate-free conversion coat or paint for decorative parts, and shot-peen to boost fatigue life.
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 ZL101A in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- JIS
- AC4CH
- Also called
- ZAlSi7MgA
- Other
- A356.0
How much does ZL101A cost?
ZL101A is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
ZL101A — frequently asked
What is ZL101A used for?
ZL101A is typically used for automotive wheels, aerospace castings and structural brackets. In short: high-purity A356 equivalent; best ductility of the AlSi7Mg castings; weldable and heat treatable.
What is the yield strength of ZL101A?
ZL101A has a typical yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is ZL101A easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades). Machines freely with sharp PCD or polished-flute carbide tools and high speed; the Si eutectic is abrasive, so coolant and PCD tooling pay off in production.
Can ZL101A be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Readily TIG/MIG welded with ER4043 or ER4047 filler (ER5356 if anodizing colour match is needed); re-solution + re-age after welding to restore T6 properties.
What surface finishes work on ZL101A?
Takes hard and sulphuric anodize for wear/corrosion protection but with a dark grey silicon-mottled look; powder coat, chromate-free conversion coat or paint for decorative parts, and shot-peen to boost fatigue life.
Can ZL101A be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity and pressure tightness for gravity, low-pressure and sand casting; use Sr modification, Al-5Ti-1B refinement and directional solidification to avoid shrink porosity.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZL101A?
ZL101A 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 ZL101A-T6 and ZL101A-T2?
T6 is the default condition — the standard stocked condition: peak strength with useful ductility for wheels, knuckles, structural castings. T2: pick when maximum dimensional stability and low residual stress matter more than strength. Yield strength is 220 MPa in T6 versus 85 MPa in T2.
How much does ZL101A cost?
ZL101A is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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
- ASTM B26/B26M and B108/B108M (A356.0 castings) — ASTM (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Aluminum Casting Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion of Aluminum Alloys — ASM International (2005)
- JIS H5202 (AC4CH) — JSA (2010)
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.