Aluminum ZL102
GB ZL102 · ASTM A413.0 · JIS AC3A
ZL102 (ZAlSi12, equivalent to A413.0 and AC3A) is a near-eutectic GB Al-Si casting alloy with about 12% silicon and no heat-treatable strengthening.
Values for the F condition
ZL102 tempers and conditions
ZL102 is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. F is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 2 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 dimensional stability and maximum ductility matter more than strength (thin, machined or pressure-tight parts). | 70 | 155 | 6 | 52 HB | 33 % IACS |
FDefault As fabricated | Standard supply condition for sand, permanent-mould, shell and investment castings after Na/Sr modification. | 80 | 170 | 5 | 55 HB | 31 % IACS |
What is ZL102?
ZL102 (ZAlSi12, equivalent to A413.0 and AC3A) is a near-eutectic GB Al-Si casting alloy with about 12% silicon and no heat-treatable strengthening. High fluidity, a narrow freezing range and good pressure-tightness make it a standard choice for thin-wall pressure die castings and marine housings, with typical values of 80 MPa yield, 170 MPa tensile, 5% elongation, 55 HB and 145 W/m·K. Strength is low and the abrasive eutectic silicon gives a machinability score of 45. Where higher strength or a heat-treated temper is required, use ZL101A/A356. ZL102 has a density of 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F). ZL102 has a yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 90% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is ZL102 used for?
- Pressure die castings
- Marine castings
- Thin-wall pump and motor housings
- Pressure-tight valve and manifold bodies
- Gearbox and cover castings
- Electrical enclosures
- Heat-dissipating housings
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Low strength — 80 MPa (11.6 ksi), worse than 90% of aluminum grades
- Low fracture toughness — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), worse than 83% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades
ZL102 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL102-F; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ZL102 has a density of 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F).
Mechanical13
ZL102 has a yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 90% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
ZL102 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 145 W/m·K (83.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 53% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 20.5 µm/m·K (11.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZL102 conducts electricity at 31 % IACS, worse than 68% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), better than 62% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZL102 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 11.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability8
ZL102's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
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. ZL102 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ZL102
Is ZL102 easy to machine?
Use PCD or polished carbide tooling with high speed and generous coolant; eutectic Si is abrasive and steel HSS wears fast.
Can ZL102 be welded?
Readily TIG/MIG welded with ER4047 or ER4043 filler; preheat 100–200 °C on heavy sections and expect loss of any cold work only, no post-weld heat treatment needed.
Can ZL102 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — excellent fluidity fills 2–3 mm walls, narrow freezing range gives low hot-tearing risk; modify with Na/Sr and degas the melt to avoid gas porosity.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to ZL102. Every ZL102 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair45 / 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 |
ZL102 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; Na or Sr modified | 10 – 13 | 11.5 |
| Fe≤0.7 for sand casting, ≤1.0 for permanent-mould casting | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Cuimpurity | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Mnimpurity | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Mgimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Znimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Tigrain refiner residual | ≤ 0.2 | |
| other, each | ≤ 0.05 | |
| other, totaltotal impurities | ≤ 2 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on ZL102?
Chromate/chemical conversion coating, powder paint or hard (functional) anodize; decorative bright anodizing is not usable because high Si darkens the film.
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 ZL102 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- A413.0
- GB (China)
- ZAlSi12
- JIS
- AC3A
How much does ZL102 cost?
ZL102 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 99% 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.
ZL102 — frequently asked
What is ZL102 used for?
ZL102 is typically used for pressure die castings, marine castings, thin-wall pump and motor housings, pressure-tight valve and manifold bodies, gearbox and cover castings and electrical enclosures. In short: china GB eutectic Al-Si; die-cast friendly.
What is the yield strength of ZL102?
ZL102 has a typical yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 90% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is ZL102 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades). Use PCD or polished carbide tooling with high speed and generous coolant; eutectic Si is abrasive and steel HSS wears fast.
Can ZL102 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Readily TIG/MIG welded with ER4047 or ER4043 filler; preheat 100–200 °C on heavy sections and expect loss of any cold work only, no post-weld heat treatment needed.
What surface finishes work on ZL102?
Chromate/chemical conversion coating, powder paint or hard (functional) anodize; decorative bright anodizing is not usable because high Si darkens the film.
Can ZL102 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — excellent fluidity fills 2–3 mm walls, narrow freezing range gives low hot-tearing risk; modify with Na/Sr and degas the melt to avoid gas porosity.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZL102?
ZL102 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 ZL102-F and ZL102-T2?
F is the default condition — standard supply condition for sand, permanent-mould, shell and investment castings after Na/Sr modification. T2: pick when dimensional stability and maximum ductility matter more than strength (thin, machined or pressure-tight parts). Yield strength is 80 MPa in F versus 70 MPa in T2.
How much does ZL102 cost?
ZL102 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 99% 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 ZL102?
Yes — ZL102 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 and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys (413.0 / A413.0 / 443.0) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B: Corrosion — Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.