Aluminum ZL111-T6
Temper · default condition
GB ZL111 · ASTM A354.0
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Standard condition for load-bearing pump/cylinder/bracket castings needing maximum strength and hardness.
Values for the T6 condition
Other ZL111 tempers and conditions
ZL111 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at ZL111.
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 |
T6DefaultThis page 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-T6?
ZL111-T6 is ZL111 in the T6 temper — standard condition for load-bearing pump/cylinder/bracket castings needing maximum strength and hardness. ZL111-T6 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). ZL111-T6 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).
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-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL111-T6; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ZL111 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ZL111-T6 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-T6 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-T6 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-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 ZL111-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
ZL111-T6'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ZL111-T6
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.
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.
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 | — |
ZL111-T6 — frequently asked
What is ZL111-T6 used for?
ZL111-T6 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-T6?
ZL111-T6 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-T6 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-T6 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-T6?
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-T6 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-T6?
ZL111-T6 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.