Aluminum ZL116
GB ZL116
ZL116 (ZAlSi5Cu1Zn5Mg) is a GB Al-Si casting alloy modified with zinc, copper and magnesium, supplied F, T4, T5, T6 or T7.
Reference datasheet — ZL116 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 T5 condition
ZL116 tempers and conditions
ZL116 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. T5 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 | Choose the as-cast state for non-load-bearing blanks or castings to be welded or machined later; cost is lowest and dimensions most stable, with tensile strength at 195 MPa. | 110 | 195 | 4 | 60 HB | 40 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Pick solution heat treated and naturally aged castings when ductility and impact toughness lead (6 % elongation) and 175 MPa yield suffices; service is limited to 120 °C. | 175 | 275 | 6 | 70 HB | 36 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Specify solution treatment with overageing/stabilisation for castings serving long-term at 130–175 °C or needing low residual stress and stable dimensions, at 225 MPa yield. | 225 | 285 | 4 | 80 HB | 41 % IACS |
T5Default Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Use this most common supply state, solution heat treated and partially artificially aged, for pump housings and brackets, balancing 255 MPa yield with 4 % elongation. | 255 | 335 | 4 | 90 HB | 38 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Choose solution heat treated and fully artificially aged castings for maximum 285 MPa yield and 100 HB when 2.5 % elongation is acceptable; supplied by agreement, not listed in GB/T 1173. | 285 | 345 | 2.5 | 100 HB | 39 % IACS |
What is ZL116?
ZL116 (ZAlSi5Cu1Zn5Mg) is a GB Al-Si casting alloy modified with zinc, copper and magnesium, supplied F, T4, T5, T6 or T7. It is used for general engineering castings that need more strength than plain Al-Si: the default condition gives 335 MPa tensile, 255 MPa yield, 4 % elongation, 90 HB, 150 W/m·K and 38 % IACS. Service temperature is limited to 150 °C, the silicon eutectic is abrasive and darkens anodic films, and the melt is beryllium-bearing, so wet machining and fume extraction are mandatory. ZL114A is the usual alternative for high-integrity castings. ZL116 has a density of 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of aluminum grades. It melts at 555°C (1,031 °F). ZL116 has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 335 MPa (48.6 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is ZL116 used for?
- housings
- brackets
- general castings
Limitations
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
ZL116 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL116-T5; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ZL116 has a density of 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of aluminum grades. It melts at 555°C (1,031 °F).
Mechanical13
ZL116 has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 335 MPa (48.6 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
ZL116 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 150 W/m·K (86.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 58% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.5 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZL116 conducts electricity at 38 % IACS, better than 61% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), better than 67% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZL116 takes about 195 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 86% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
ZL116's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (70/100); 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. ZL116 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ZL116
Is ZL116 easy to machine?
High-silicon casting alloy: use PCD or diamond-coated tooling at high speed with light feeds and ample coolant. Dry grinding produces beryllium-bearing dust, so machine wet and provide local extraction.
Can ZL116 be welded?
TIG/MIG repair with ER4043 or ER4047 is possible; preheat to 120–150 °C and re-apply the T5/T6 treatment afterwards to restore strength. Weld fume contains beryllium, so use enclosed extraction and respiratory protection.
Can ZL116 be formed, bent or molded?
Suitable for sand, permanent-mould, low-pressure and differential-pressure casting; the 7.5 % Si gives good fluidity and low hot-tearing tendency. Provide effective feeding and rapid solidification to refine the eutectic silicon, and degas and refine the melt to control hydrogen.
ZL116 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Simain strengthening and fluidity element | 6.5 – 8.5 | 7.5 |
| Mgforms Mg2Si age-hardening phase | 0.35 – 0.55 | 0.45 |
| Tigrain refiner | 0.1 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Bemodifies Fe-rich phases, cuts oxidation loss; BeO dust hazard | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Feimpurity limit; sand ≤0.50, permanent mold ≤0.60 (GB/T 1173) | ≤ 0.6 | |
| Cuimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Mnimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Znimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | |
| other eacheach other impurity | ≤ 0.05 | |
| other totaltotal other impurities | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on ZL116?
Chemical conversion coating or paint is standard. Anodic films are grey and dark because of the high silicon, so use caution on decorative parts; machined surfaces polish readily but eutectic silicon particles limit a mirror finish.
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 ZL116 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- GB (China)
- ZAlSi5Cu1Zn5Mg
How much does ZL116 cost?
ZL116 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.
ZL116 — frequently asked
What is ZL116 used for?
ZL116 is typically used for housings, brackets and general castings. In short: zinc-modified Al-Si casting; heat treatable to 335 MPa; beryllium-bearing melt.
What is the yield strength of ZL116?
ZL116 has a typical yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 335 MPa (48.6 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is ZL116 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades). High-silicon casting alloy: use PCD or diamond-coated tooling at high speed with light feeds and ample coolant. Dry grinding produces beryllium-bearing dust, so machine wet and provide local extraction.
Can ZL116 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). TIG/MIG repair with ER4043 or ER4047 is possible; preheat to 120–150 °C and re-apply the T5/T6 treatment afterwards to restore strength. Weld fume contains beryllium, so use enclosed extraction and respiratory protection.
What surface finishes work on ZL116?
Chemical conversion coating or paint is standard. Anodic films are grey and dark because of the high silicon, so use caution on decorative parts; machined surfaces polish readily but eutectic silicon particles limit a mirror finish.
Can ZL116 be formed, bent or molded?
Suitable for sand, permanent-mould, low-pressure and differential-pressure casting; the 7.5 % Si gives good fluidity and low hot-tearing tendency. Provide effective feeding and rapid solidification to refine the eutectic silicon, and degas and refine the melt to control hydrogen.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZL116?
ZL116 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 ZL116-T5 and ZL116-F?
T5 is the default condition — use this most common supply state, solution heat treated and partially artificially aged, for pump housings and brackets, balancing 255 MPa yield with 4 % elongation. F: choose the as-cast state for non-load-bearing blanks or castings to be welded or machined later; cost is lowest and dimensions most stable, with tensile strength at 195 MPa. Yield strength is 255 MPa in T5 versus 110 MPa in F.
How much does ZL116 cost?
ZL116 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)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.