Aluminum ZL106-T6
Temper · default condition
GB ZL106
T6 = 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.
Values for the T6 condition
Other ZL106 tempers and conditions
ZL106 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at ZL106.
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 |
T6DefaultThis page 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-T6?
ZL106-T6 is ZL106 in the T6 temper — 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. ZL106-T6 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). ZL106-T6 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).
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-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL106-T6; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ZL106 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ZL106-T6 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-T6 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-T6 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-T6 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-T6 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-T6'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ZL106-T6
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.
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.
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 | — |
ZL106-T6 — frequently asked
What is ZL106-T6 used for?
ZL106-T6 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-T6?
ZL106-T6 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-T6 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-T6 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-T6?
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-T6 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-T6?
ZL106-T6 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.