Aluminum ZL201
GB ZL201
ZL201 is a high-strength Al-Cu-Mn sand casting alloy from GB/T 1173, cross-referenced to 220.0 and comparable to ANSI 204.0, strengthened by copper with manganese for elevated-temperature stability.
Reference datasheet — ZL201 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
ZL201 tempers and conditions
ZL201 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. T5 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Rarely used for ZL201 — only for non-structural parts or as the delivery state before heat treatment. | 110 | 195 | 5 | 60 HB | 38 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Pick when maximum ductility and impact toughness are wanted with high but not peak strength. | 185 | 320 | 10 | 72 HB | 31 % IACS |
T5Default Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | The standard high-strength condition for ZL201 structural castings — best strength/ductility balance. | 255 | 350 | 6 | 90 HB | 33 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Choose for dimensional stability and service at elevated temperature (up to ~250–300 °C) at some loss of ductility. | 265 | 330 | 3 | 82 HB | 36 % IACS |
What is ZL201?
ZL201 is a high-strength Al-Cu-Mn sand casting alloy from GB/T 1173, cross-referenced to 220.0 and comparable to ANSI 204.0, strengthened by copper with manganese for elevated-temperature stability. After solution treatment and ageing it provides 350 MPa tensile, 255 MPa yield, 6 % elongation and 90 HB with service to 200 °C, and its machinability score of 75 helps on heavily machined structural and aerospace castings. With no silicon to aid fluidity the alloy is demanding to cast, hot-cracking risk is high and fusion welding is poor; higher-purity ZL201A is the choice when fatigue and toughness are critical. ZL201 has a density of 2.83 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of aluminum grades. It melts at 545°C (1,013 °F). ZL201 has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is ZL201 used for?
- Aerospace structural castings
- High-strength machinery parts
- Aircraft fittings and brackets
- High-load gearbox housings
- Engine and accessory mounts running to 200 °C
- Heavily machined load-bearing castings
Advantages
- High service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 35/100, worse than 85% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
ZL201 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL201-T5; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ZL201 has a density of 2.83 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of aluminum grades. It melts at 545°C (1,013 °F).
Mechanical13
ZL201 has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
ZL201 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 130 W/m·K (75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 65% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.5 µm/m·K (12.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZL201 conducts electricity at 33 % IACS, worse than 57% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 85% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZL201 takes about 195 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 86% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability8
ZL201's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); 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. ZL201 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ZL201
Is ZL201 easy to machine?
Machines very well with sharp carbide or PCD tooling, high speed and flood coolant; watch for shrinkage porosity opening up on finished surfaces.
Can ZL201 be welded?
Poor fusion weldability — high hot-cracking risk; repair by TIG with ER2319 (Al-Cu) filler plus preheat, and re-heat-treat afterwards where possible.
Can ZL201 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand and permanent-mould casting only; long freezing range demands generous risers, chills and directional solidification to avoid hot tears and porosity.
ZL201 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cuprincipal strengthening element | 4.5 – 5.3 | 4.9 |
| Mnraises elevated-temperature strength | 0.6 – 1 | 0.8 |
| Tigrain refiner | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Siimpurity | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Feimpurity (≤0.25 for high-grade melts) | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Mgimpurity | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Znimpurity | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Niimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on ZL201?
Chromate/phosphate conversion coating or primer + paint is the normal protection; sulfuric anodize gives dark uneven films, so chromic anodize or hard coat with sealing is preferred.
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 ZL201 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- ZAlCu5Mn
- Other
- 204.0
- Similar grades
- 220.0
How much does ZL201 cost?
ZL201 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.
ZL201 — frequently asked
What is ZL201 used for?
ZL201 is typically used for aerospace structural castings, high-strength machinery parts, aircraft fittings and brackets, high-load gearbox housings, engine and accessory mounts running to 200 °C and heavily machined load-bearing castings. In short: high-strength Al-Cu casting; free-machining cast alloy; difficult to cast soundly.
What is the yield strength of ZL201?
ZL201 has a typical yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is ZL201 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades). Machines very well with sharp carbide or PCD tooling, high speed and flood coolant; watch for shrinkage porosity opening up on finished surfaces.
Can ZL201 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Poor fusion weldability — high hot-cracking risk; repair by TIG with ER2319 (Al-Cu) filler plus preheat, and re-heat-treat afterwards where possible.
What surface finishes work on ZL201?
Chromate/phosphate conversion coating or primer + paint is the normal protection; sulfuric anodize gives dark uneven films, so chromic anodize or hard coat with sealing is preferred.
Can ZL201 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand and permanent-mould casting only; long freezing range demands generous risers, chills and directional solidification to avoid hot tears and porosity.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZL201?
ZL201 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ZL201-T5 and ZL201-F?
T5 is the default condition — the standard high-strength condition for ZL201 structural castings — best strength/ductility balance. F: rarely used for ZL201 — only for non-structural parts or as the delivery state before heat treatment. Yield strength is 255 MPa in T5 versus 110 MPa in F.
How much does ZL201 cost?
ZL201 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 (Al-Cu casting alloys 204.0/A201.0) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B: Corrosion — Materials (aluminium alloys) — 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.