Aluminum ZL106
GB ZL106
ZL106 (ZAlSi8Cu1Mg) is a GB-standard Al-Si-Cu-Mg casting alloy, strengthened by copper and magnesium additions and heat treatable in T1, T5, T6 and T7 as well as as-cast F.
Reference datasheet — ZL106 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
ZL106 tempers and conditions
ZL106 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. T6 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Use the untreated as-cast blank for low-stress parts with modest dimensional-stability demands, accepting 175 MPa tensile and 2.5 % elongation at the lowest processing cost. | 100 | 175 | 2.5 | 60 HB | 36 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and naturally aged | Pick as-cast plus artificial ageing for permanent-mould parts of moderate strength; skipping solution treatment keeps processing simple and distortion low but leaves 1.5 % elongation. | 150 | 200 | 1.5 | 70 HB | 35 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Choose solution treatment with partial artificial ageing for medium-load parts under vibration loading; it gives the best balance of 185 MPa yield and retained ductility. | 185 | 255 | 2 | 75 HB | 33 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Use solution treatment plus overageing/stabilising for parts working long-term at 150–250 °C, trading peak strength for structural and dimensional stability and heat resistance. | 190 | 250 | 2.5 | 75 HB | 35 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Specify solution treatment with full artificial ageing for highly loaded parts needing maximum 210 MPa yield and 90 HB, accepting the lowest ductility of the tempers. | 210 | 275 | 1.5 | 90 HB | 32 % IACS |
What is ZL106?
ZL106 (ZAlSi8Cu1Mg) is a GB-standard Al-Si-Cu-Mg casting alloy, strengthened by copper and magnesium additions and heat treatable in T1, T5, T6 and T7 as well as as-cast F. It is chosen for castings needing moderate strength with elevated-temperature capability, reaching 210 MPa yield, 275 MPa tensile and 90 HB with 140 W/m-K thermal conductivity and service to 200 C. Elongation is only 1.5%, so it suits stiff, pressure-tight housings rather than impact-loaded parts, and the copper content brings hot-cracking risk in welding. Availability is tied to GB casting suppliers; A319 or A356 are the nearest widely stocked alternatives. ZL106 has a density of 2.73 g/cm³ (0.0986 lb/in³), heavier than 61% of aluminum grades. It melts at 550°C (1,022 °F). ZL106 has a yield strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — stronger than 56% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is ZL106 used for?
- Engine components
- Housings exposed to elevated temperature
- Pump and compressor bodies
- Gearbox and transmission housings
- Manifolds and covers
- Pressure-tight sand and permanent-mould castings
Advantages
- High service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), better than 90% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1.5%, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
ZL106 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL106-T6; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ZL106 has a density of 2.73 g/cm³ (0.0986 lb/in³), heavier than 61% of aluminum grades. It melts at 550°C (1,022 °F).
Mechanical14
ZL106 has a yield strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — stronger than 56% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
ZL106 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 140 W/m·K (80.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 52% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.5 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZL106 conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, worse than 63% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (42/100), worse than 69% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZL106 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
ZL106's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 54% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (42/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
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. ZL106 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ZL106
Is ZL106 easy to machine?
Machinability is moderate at 58 and eutectic silicon abrades tooling - use PCD or diamond-coated carbide, high speed with light feed and ample coolant.
Can ZL106 be welded?
Weldable by TIG/MIG with ER4043 or ER4047 filler; the copper content gives a hot-cracking tendency, so preheat before welding and re-age afterward to recover strength.
Can ZL106 be formed, bent or molded?
Good sand and permanent-mould castability with high fluidity and good pressure tightness; set wall thicknesses for directional solidification and add risers to prevent shrinkage porosity.
ZL106 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Si | 7.5 – 8.5 | 8 |
| Cu | 1 – 1.5 | 1.25 |
| Mg | 0.3 – 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Tigrain refiner | 0.1 – 0.25 | 0.17 |
| Feimpurity; sand cast ≤0.6, permanent mold ≤0.9 per standard | ≤ 0.6 | |
| Znimpurity | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on ZL106?
Suits shot blasting, chemical oxidation and painting; anodizing turns dark and uneven because of the high silicon and copper, so use paint or powder coat on appearance parts.
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 ZL106 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- GB (China)
- ZAlSi8Cu1Mg
How much does ZL106 cost?
ZL106 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.
ZL106 — frequently asked
What is ZL106 used for?
ZL106 is typically used for engine components, housings exposed to elevated temperature, pump and compressor bodies, gearbox and transmission housings, manifolds and covers and pressure-tight sand and permanent-mould castings. In short: heat-resistant Al-Si casting alloy; 275 MPa cast tensile strength; low ductility, 1.5% elongation.
What is the yield strength of ZL106?
ZL106 has a typical yield strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — stronger than 56% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is ZL106 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 54% of aluminum grades). Machinability is moderate at 58 and eutectic silicon abrades tooling - use PCD or diamond-coated carbide, high speed with light feed and ample coolant.
Can ZL106 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (42/100). Weldable by TIG/MIG with ER4043 or ER4047 filler; the copper content gives a hot-cracking tendency, so preheat before welding and re-age afterward to recover strength.
What surface finishes work on ZL106?
Suits shot blasting, chemical oxidation and painting; anodizing turns dark and uneven because of the high silicon and copper, so use paint or powder coat on appearance parts.
Can ZL106 be formed, bent or molded?
Good sand and permanent-mould castability with high fluidity and good pressure tightness; set wall thicknesses for directional solidification and add risers to prevent shrinkage porosity.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZL106?
ZL106 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 ZL106-T6 and ZL106-F?
T6 is the default condition — specify solution treatment with full artificial ageing for highly loaded parts needing maximum 210 MPa yield and 90 HB, accepting the lowest ductility of the tempers. F: use the untreated as-cast blank for low-stress parts with modest dimensional-stability demands, accepting 175 MPa tensile and 2.5 % elongation at the lowest processing cost. Yield strength is 210 MPa in T6 versus 100 MPa in F.
How much does ZL106 cost?
ZL106 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
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.