Aluminum ZL116-T6
Temper
GB ZL116
T6 = 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.
Values for the T6 condition
Other ZL116 tempers and conditions
ZL116 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at ZL116.
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 |
T6This page 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-T6?
ZL116-T6 is ZL116 in the T6 temper — 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. ZL116-T6 has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — stronger than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi). ZL116-T6 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). T5 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T6 is available on request or by drawing note.
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 2.5%, worse than 83% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
ZL116-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL116-T6; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ZL116 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ZL116-T6 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-T6 has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — stronger than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
ZL116-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
ZL116-T6 conducts electricity at 39 % IACS, better than 65% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), better than 67% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZL116-T6 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-T6's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 54% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ZL116-T6
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.
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.
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 | — |
ZL116-T6 — frequently asked
What is ZL116-T6 used for?
ZL116-T6 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-T6?
ZL116-T6 has a typical yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — stronger than 73% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is ZL116-T6 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 54% 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-T6 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-T6?
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-T6 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-T6?
ZL116-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 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.