Aluminum ZL201-T4
Temper
GB ZL201
T4 = solution heat treated and naturally aged
Pick when maximum ductility and impact toughness are wanted with high but not peak strength.
Values for the T4 condition
Other ZL201 tempers and conditions
ZL201 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at ZL201.
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 |
T4This page 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-T4?
ZL201-T4 is ZL201 in the T4 temper — pick when maximum ductility and impact toughness are wanted with high but not peak strength. ZL201-T4 has a yield strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — weaker than 53% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). ZL201-T4 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). T5 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T4 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), better than 76% 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
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
ZL201-T4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL201-T4; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ZL201 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ZL201-T4 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-T4 has a yield strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — weaker than 53% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
ZL201-T4 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 122 W/m·K (70.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 74% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.5 µm/m·K (12.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZL201-T4 conducts electricity at 31 % IACS, worse than 68% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 85% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZL201-T4 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-T4's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ZL201-T4
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.
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.
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 | — |
ZL201-T4 — frequently asked
What is ZL201-T4 used for?
ZL201-T4 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-T4?
ZL201-T4 has a typical yield strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — weaker than 53% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is ZL201-T4 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 72% 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-T4 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-T4?
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-T4 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-T4?
ZL201-T4 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.