Aluminum ZL201-T5
Temper · default condition
GB ZL201
T5 = cooled from hot working and artificially aged
The standard high-strength condition for ZL201 structural castings — best strength/ductility balance.
Values for the T5 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 |
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 |
T5DefaultThis page 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-T5?
ZL201-T5 is ZL201 in the T5 temper — the standard high-strength condition for ZL201 structural castings — best strength/ductility balance. ZL201-T5 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). ZL201-T5 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).
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-T5 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL201-T5; 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-T5 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-T5 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-T5 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-T5 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-T5 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-T5'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ZL201-T5
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-T5 — frequently asked
What is ZL201-T5 used for?
ZL201-T5 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-T5?
ZL201-T5 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-T5 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-T5 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-T5?
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-T5 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-T5?
ZL201-T5 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.
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.