Aluminum ZL114A-T6
Temper · default condition
ASTM A357.0 · GB ZAlSi7Mg1A
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Standard aerospace/defense condition — best strength-to-ductility balance; the condition ZL114A castings are normally supplied in.
Values for the T6 condition
Other ZL114A tempers and conditions
ZL114A is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at ZL114A.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Non-critical parts or castings that will be heat treated later; lowest strength but best dimensional stability off the mold. | 95 | 180 | 4 | 55 HB | 42 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Choose when maximum ductility/impact resistance is wanted and full T6 strength is not required. | 130 | 250 | 10 | 65 HB | 36 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Lower-cost, low-distortion route for parts with tight dimensional tolerance that do not need full T6 strength. | 230 | 300 | 2.5 | 88 HB | 41 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | For dimensional stability, reduced residual stress and slightly elevated-temperature service, at the cost of ~10–15 % strength. | 250 | 295 | 6 | 85 HB | 42 % IACS |
T6DefaultThis page Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard aerospace/defense condition — best strength-to-ductility balance; the condition ZL114A castings are normally supplied in. | 275 | 340 | 5 | 100 HB | 39 % IACS |
T6 variant, underaged | A357 aerospace cycle giving near-peak strength with better elongation and toughness than plain T6. | 285 | 345 | 5 | 100 HB | 39 % IACS |
T6, heat treated by the user | Pick when the highest static strength/hardness is required and elongation can be traded away. | 310 | 380 | 3 | 110 HB | 38 % IACS |
What is ZL114A-T6?
ZL114A-T6 is ZL114A in the T6 temper — standard aerospace/defense condition — best strength-to-ductility balance; the condition ZL114A castings are normally supplied in. ZL114A-T6 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — stronger than 70% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi). ZL114A-T6 has a density of 2.67 g/cm³ (0.0965 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of aluminum grades. It melts at 555°C (1,031 °F).
ZL114A-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL114A-T6; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ZL114A reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ZL114A-T6 has a density of 2.67 g/cm³ (0.0965 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of aluminum grades. It melts at 555°C (1,031 °F).
Mechanical12
ZL114A-T6 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — stronger than 70% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
ZL114A-T6 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 152 W/m·K (87.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 66% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.5 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZL114A-T6 conducts electricity at 39 % IACS, better than 65% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), better than 62% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZL114A-T6 takes about 195 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 86% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability8
ZL114A-T6's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability poor (15/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ZL114A-T6
Is ZL114A easy to machine?
Machines well in T6 with PCD or sharp carbide tooling and high speeds; the 7% Si eutectic is abrasive, so expect tool wear and use flood coolant/air blast to avoid built-up edge.
Can ZL114A be welded?
Readily TIG/MIG welded with 4043 or 4047 (or matching 4008/A357 filler for full-strength repairs); weld zones lose T6 properties, so re-solution + re-age critical repairs.
Can ZL114A be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity for thin-wall sand, investment and permanent-mold casting; needs Sr/Na modification, Ti-B refinement, degassing and directional solidification with chills to reach aerospace X-ray class.
What surface finishes work on ZL114A?
Takes protective and hardcoat anodizing (dark grey due to Si), chromate/Ti-Zr conversion coating and primer-topcoat systems; avoid decorative bright anodize and mechanically polish only where a matte finish is acceptable.
ZL114A 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 former; requires Sr/Na modification | 6.5 – 7.5 | 7 |
| MgMg2Si precipitation hardening | 0.45 – 0.75 | 0.6 |
| Tigrain refiner | 0.1 – 0.2 | 0.15 |
| Beoptional; limits Mg oxidation — fume control required in melting | 0.04 – 0.07 | 0.05 |
| Feimpurity; tighter (≤0.12) for premium aerospace castings | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Cuimpurity | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Mnimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Znimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
ZL114A-T6 — frequently asked
What is ZL114A-T6 used for?
ZL114A-T6 is typically used for aerospace structural castings, missile/defense components and high-integrity castings. In short: aerospace-grade Al-Si-Mg casting; high-integrity X-ray castings; heat treatable to 340 MPa.
What is the yield strength of ZL114A-T6?
ZL114A-T6 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — stronger than 70% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is ZL114A-T6 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades). Machines well in T6 with PCD or sharp carbide tooling and high speeds; the 7% Si eutectic is abrasive, so expect tool wear and use flood coolant/air blast to avoid built-up edge.
Can ZL114A-T6 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Readily TIG/MIG welded with 4043 or 4047 (or matching 4008/A357 filler for full-strength repairs); weld zones lose T6 properties, so re-solution + re-age critical repairs.
What surface finishes work on ZL114A-T6?
Takes protective and hardcoat anodizing (dark grey due to Si), chromate/Ti-Zr conversion coating and primer-topcoat systems; avoid decorative bright anodize and mechanically polish only where a matte finish is acceptable.
Can ZL114A-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity for thin-wall sand, investment and permanent-mold casting; needs Sr/Na modification, Ti-B refinement, degassing and directional solidification with chills to reach aerospace X-ray class.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZL114A-T6?
ZL114A-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 ZL114A-T6 and ZL114A-F?
T6 is the default condition — standard aerospace/defense condition — best strength-to-ductility balance; the condition ZL114A castings are normally supplied in. F: non-critical parts or castings that will be heat treated later; lowest strength but best dimensional stability off the mold. Yield strength is 275 MPa in T6 versus 95 MPa in F.
Sources
- ASTM B26/B26M & B108/B108M (A357.0 castings) — ASTM (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys — ASM International (1993)
- AMS 4241 / AMS-A-21180 premium aluminum castings — SAE International (2019)
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.
