Aluminum ZL111
GB ZL111 · ASTM A354.0
ZL111 (ZAlSi7Cu4Mg, A354.0) is a heat-treatable Al-Si-Cu-Mg permanent-mould casting alloy with about 9 % Si for castability and copper plus magnesium for strength.
Reference datasheet — ZL111 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
ZL111 tempers and conditions
ZL111 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 | Cheapest condition; use where only moderate strength and dimensional stability are needed. | 130 | 215 | 2 | 80 HB | 36 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and naturally aged | Low-distortion route: aging only, gives a useful strength lift over F without quench stresses. | 195 | 265 | 1.8 | 90 HB | 34 % IACS |
T6 | For larger or low-volume sand castings; coarser structure gives lower properties than the permanent-mold T6. | 210 | 270 | 2 | 90 HB | 33 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Compromise temper: most of the T6 strength with slightly better ductility and shorter aging cycle. | 225 | 300 | 3 | 95 HB | 33 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard condition for load-bearing pump/cylinder/bracket castings needing maximum strength and hardness. | 250 | 330 | 2.5 | 100 HB | 32 % IACS |
What is ZL111?
ZL111 (ZAlSi7Cu4Mg, A354.0) is a heat-treatable Al-Si-Cu-Mg permanent-mould casting alloy with about 9 % Si for castability and copper plus magnesium for strength. In T6 it reaches 330 MPa tensile, 250 MPa yield, 2.5 % elongation and 100 HB, which suits medium-strength structural castings that still need good mould filling and sound thin walls. Service temperature is limited to 150 °C, fusion weldability is only fair because of the copper, and decorative anodizing is poor; ZL201A is the alternative where higher strength and ductility outweigh castability. ZL111 has a density of 2.73 g/cm³ (0.0986 lb/in³), heavier than 61% of aluminum grades. It melts at 525°C (977 °F). ZL111 has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 65% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
What is ZL111 used for?
- Structural brackets and mounts
- Pump bodies
- Valve and hydraulic manifold bodies
- Gearbox and transmission housings
- Compressor housings
- Machine tool support castings
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 2.5%, worse than 83% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades
ZL111 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL111-T6; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ZL111 has a density of 2.73 g/cm³ (0.0986 lb/in³), heavier than 61% of aluminum grades. It melts at 525°C (977 °F).
Mechanical12
ZL111 has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 65% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
ZL111 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 138 W/m·K (79.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 55% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.5 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZL111 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 ZL111 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
ZL111's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (40/100); 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. ZL111 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ZL111
Is ZL111 easy to machine?
Machines well in T6 with PCD or polished-flute carbide, high speed and flood coolant; the ~9% Si is abrasive so expect tool wear on uncoated HSS.
Can ZL111 be welded?
Only fair — Cu-bearing Al-Si-Cu-Mg castings are hot-crack sensitive; repair TIG with 4047/ER4145 filler, preheat 150 °C, then re-age locally if strength matters.
Can ZL111 be formed, bent or molded?
Permanent-mold (metal-mold) casting is the primary route with good fluidity and low hot-tearing; use chills and directional solidification on thick sections to avoid shrinkage porosity, and modify/grain-refine the melt for the SB condition.
ZL111 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Siprimary fluidity/eutectic former | 8 – 10 | 9 |
| Cuage-hardening addition | 1.3 – 1.8 | 1.55 |
| MgMg2Si strengthening | 0.4 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| MnFe-phase modifier | 0.1 – 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Tigrain refiner | 0.1 – 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Feimpurity limit (sand cast typically ≤0.4) | ≤ 0.6 | |
| Znimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Others (each)total ≤0.15 | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on ZL111?
Decorative anodizing is poor (grey, mottled from Si and Cu); use chromate/conversion coat plus paint or powder coat, or hard anodize where wear resistance rather than appearance is required.
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 ZL111 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- A354.0
- GB (China)
- ZAlSi7Cu4Mg
- Also called
- ZAlSi7Cu2Mg
How much does ZL111 cost?
ZL111 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.
ZL111 — frequently asked
What is ZL111 used for?
ZL111 is typically used for structural brackets and mounts, pump bodies, valve and hydraulic manifold bodies, gearbox and transmission housings, compressor housings and machine tool support castings. In short: medium-strength structural casting; good castability with Cu strength; T6 strength 330 MPa.
What is the yield strength of ZL111?
ZL111 has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 65% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is ZL111 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades). Machines well in T6 with PCD or polished-flute carbide, high speed and flood coolant; the ~9% Si is abrasive so expect tool wear on uncoated HSS.
Can ZL111 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Only fair — Cu-bearing Al-Si-Cu-Mg castings are hot-crack sensitive; repair TIG with 4047/ER4145 filler, preheat 150 °C, then re-age locally if strength matters.
What surface finishes work on ZL111?
Decorative anodizing is poor (grey, mottled from Si and Cu); use chromate/conversion coat plus paint or powder coat, or hard anodize where wear resistance rather than appearance is required.
Can ZL111 be formed, bent or molded?
Permanent-mold (metal-mold) casting is the primary route with good fluidity and low hot-tearing; use chills and directional solidification on thick sections to avoid shrinkage porosity, and modify/grain-refine the melt for the SB condition.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZL111?
ZL111 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 ZL111-T6 and ZL111-F?
T6 is the default condition — standard condition for load-bearing pump/cylinder/bracket castings needing maximum strength and hardness. F: cheapest condition; use where only moderate strength and dimensional stability are needed. Yield strength is 250 MPa in T6 versus 130 MPa in F.
How much does ZL111 cost?
ZL111 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 (354.0/A354.0 data) — 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.