Aluminum ZL101A-T2
Heat-treated state
JIS AC4CH
T2 = cooled from hot working, cold worked and naturally aged
Pick when maximum dimensional stability and low residual stress matter more than strength.
Values for the T2 condition
Other ZL101A tempers and conditions
ZL101A is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at ZL101A.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T2This page 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-T2?
ZL101A-T2 is ZL101A heat treated to T2 — pick when maximum dimensional stability and low residual stress matter more than strength. ZL101A-T2 has a yield strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) — weaker than 88% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi). ZL101A-T2 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). T6 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T2 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), better than 90% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 44 % IACS, better than 85% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 170 W/m·K (98.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 82% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), better than 76% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 82/100, better than 76% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 85 MPa (12.3 ksi), worse than 88% of aluminum grades
ZL101A-T2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL101A-T2; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ZL101A reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ZL101A-T2 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-T2 has a yield strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) — weaker than 88% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
ZL101A-T2 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 170 W/m·K (98.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 82% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.5 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZL101A-T2 conducts electricity at 44 % IACS, better than 85% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 71% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZL101A-T2 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-T2's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (82/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ZL101A-T2
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.
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.
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 | — |
ZL101A-T2 — frequently asked
What is ZL101A-T2 used for?
ZL101A-T2 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-T2?
ZL101A-T2 has a typical yield strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) — weaker than 88% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is ZL101A-T2 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 72% 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-T2 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (82/100). 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-T2?
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-T2 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-T2?
ZL101A-T2 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.