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Aluminum ZL201-T7

Temper

GB ZL201

T7 = 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.

Standard cost $$

Values for the T7 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 datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
As fabricated
Rarely used for ZL201 — only for non-structural parts or as the delivery state before heat treatment.110195560 HB38 % IACS
Solution heat treated and naturally aged
Pick when maximum ductility and impact toughness are wanted with high but not peak strength.1853201072 HB31 % IACS
T5Default
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged
The standard high-strength condition for ZL201 structural castings — best strength/ductility balance.255350690 HB33 % IACS
T7This page
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.265330382 HB36 % IACS

What is ZL201-T7?

ZL201-T7 is ZL201 in the T7 temper — choose for dimensional stability and service at elevated temperature (up to ~250–300 °C) at some loss of ductility. ZL201-T7 has a yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 69% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). ZL201-T7 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; T7 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), better than 97% of aluminum grades
  • Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades

Limitations

  • Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades
  • Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 79% of aluminum grades
  • Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
  • Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 75% of aluminum grades

ZL201-T7 properties

Typical room-temperature values for ZL201-T7; 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-T7 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).

Density2.83 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)545°C1,013 °F
Liquidus Temperature650°C1,202 °F

Mechanical13

ZL201-T7 has a yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 69% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus70 GPa10.2 Msi
Shear Modulus26 GPa3.8 Msi
Bulk Modulus71 GPa10.3 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.33
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)330 MPa47.9 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)265 MPa38.4 ksi
Elongation at Break3%
Compressive Strength270 MPa39.2 ksi
Shear Strength205 MPa29.7 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)88 MPa12.8 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)27 MPa·√m24.6 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)6 J4.4 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell82 HB

Thermal6

ZL201-T7 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 140 W/m·K (80.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 52% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.5 µm/m·K (12.5 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity140 W/m·K80.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity880 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)22.5 µm/m·K12.5 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion390 J/g168 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)250°C482 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical3

ZL201-T7 conducts electricity at 36 % IACS, better than 55% of aluminum grades.

Electrical Conductivity36 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity5.2×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.05 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 75% of aluminum grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.68 V
Corrosion ResistanceFair40/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryFair in neutral atmospheres but the 5 % Cu makes it markedly less corrosion-resistant than Al-Si castings; attacked by seawater, chlorides, acids and strong alkalis; painting, chromate/anodic conversion or cladding is normally required for outdoor service.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of ZL201-T7 takes about 195 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 86% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)195 MJ/kg83,835 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)12.5 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water1,150 L/kg138 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content15%

Manufacturability8

ZL201-T7's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (10/100).

MachinabilityVery good75/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)300%
WeldabilityPoor25/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended10/100
CastabilityFair35/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityPoor15/100
PolishabilityGood55/100
Anodizing Responsefair — hard/sulfuric anodizing is possible but the ~5 % Cu gives dark, non-uniform, less protective films; chromic anodize or chemical conversion is usually preferred

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with ZL201-T7

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Cuprincipal strengthening element4.5 – 5.34.9
Mnraises elevated-temperature strength0.6 – 10.8
Tigrain refiner0.15 – 0.350.25
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—
Albalance—

ZL201-T7 — frequently asked

What is ZL201-T7 used for?

ZL201-T7 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-T7?

ZL201-T7 has a typical yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 69% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.

Is ZL201-T7 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-T7 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-T7?

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-T7 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-T7?

ZL201-T7 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °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

  1. ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys (Al-Cu casting alloys 204.0/A201.0) — ASM International (1990)
  2. 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.