Aluminum ZL201A
ASTM 201.0
ZL201A is the high-purity version of the Al-Cu-Mn casting alloy ZL201 (cross-referenced to 201.0), with tighter impurity control for improved toughness and fatigue performance.
Reference datasheet — ZL201A 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
ZL201A tempers and conditions
ZL201A is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. T5 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Rarely supplied; only for non-structural parts or as the pre-heat-treatment condition of the casting. | 95 | 165 | 3 | 60 HB | 36 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Choose when maximum ductility and toughness matter more than peak strength, e.g. impact-loaded castings. | 200 | 335 | 12 | 85 HB | 120 W/m·K |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Pick for dimensionally stable parts running hot (200–300 °C) or where residual-stress and SCC control outweigh peak strength. | 265 | 345 | 4 | 95 HB | 34 % IACS |
T5Default Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Standard supply condition for aerospace ZL201A castings: highest strength with acceptable elongation (≥390 MPa / ≥8 %). | 285 | 400 | 10 | 100 HB | 32 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Used when maximum hardness/strength is wanted and low elongation is tolerable; not the usual GB supply state for ZL201A. | 330 | 420 | 5 | 115 HB | 135 W/m·K |
What is ZL201A?
ZL201A is the high-purity version of the Al-Cu-Mn casting alloy ZL201 (cross-referenced to 201.0), with tighter impurity control for improved toughness and fatigue performance. Heat treated it reaches 400 MPa tensile, 285 MPa yield, 10 % elongation and 100 HB with service to 250 °C, which supports critical aerospace sand and permanent-mould castings including landing-gear parts. The roughly 5 % Cu makes it hot-crack sensitive and difficult to weld, and sound castings need carefully designed feeding; ZL201 is the lower-cost option when the tighter chemistry is not required. ZL201A has a density of 2.83 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of aluminum grades. It melts at 547°C (1,017 °F). ZL201A has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is ZL201A used for?
- Aerospace structural castings
- Landing gear components
- Aircraft fittings and lugs
- High-load brackets and yokes
- Aerospace pump and gearbox housings
- Fatigue-critical machinery castings
Advantages
- High service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), better than 97% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 30/100, worse than 98% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades
ZL201A properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL201A-T5; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ZL201A has a density of 2.83 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of aluminum grades. It melts at 547°C (1,017 °F).
Mechanical13
ZL201A has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
ZL201A is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °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
ZL201A conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, worse than 63% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), worse than 98% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZL201A takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability8
ZL201A's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (35/100); 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. ZL201A is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ZL201A
Is ZL201A easy to machine?
Machines well after heat treatment with sharp carbide/PCD tools, high speeds and flood coolant; watch for porosity revealing at finished surfaces.
Can ZL201A be welded?
TIG/MIG repair welding is crack-sensitive because of ~5 % Cu — preheat, use matched Al-Cu filler and re-solution-treat plus re-age where possible.
Can ZL201A be formed, bent or molded?
Sand and permanent-mould casting only; long freezing range means directional solidification, generous risers, chills and filtered gating are needed to avoid hot tears and shrinkage porosity.
ZL201A 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cu | 4.8 – 5.3 | 5 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 1 | 0.8 |
| Tigrain refiner | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Cdadded in some ZL201A/ZL205-type melts to enhance ageing; omitted where Cd is restricted | 0.15 – 0.25 | 0.2 |
| Siimpurity limit, tighter than ZL201 | ≤ 0.06 | |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Mgimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Znimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Niimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| others (each)total impurities ≤ 0.4 % | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on ZL201A?
Chromic/hard anodize plus primer or chromate conversion for corrosion protection; decorative bright anodizing is poor due to Cu content, so paint or plating is common.
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 ZL201A in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- 201.0
- Also called
- ZAlCu5MnA
How much does ZL201A cost?
ZL201A is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
ZL201A — frequently asked
What is ZL201A used for?
ZL201A is typically used for aerospace structural castings, landing gear components, aircraft fittings and lugs, high-load brackets and yokes, aerospace pump and gearbox housings and fatigue-critical machinery castings. In short: highest-strength cast Al-Cu; high-purity, fatigue-critical grade; 10 % elongation after heat treat.
What is the yield strength of ZL201A?
ZL201A has a typical yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 73% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is ZL201A easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades). Machines well after heat treatment with sharp carbide/PCD tools, high speeds and flood coolant; watch for porosity revealing at finished surfaces.
Can ZL201A be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). TIG/MIG repair welding is crack-sensitive because of ~5 % Cu — preheat, use matched Al-Cu filler and re-solution-treat plus re-age where possible.
What surface finishes work on ZL201A?
Chromic/hard anodize plus primer or chromate conversion for corrosion protection; decorative bright anodizing is poor due to Cu content, so paint or plating is common.
Can ZL201A be formed, bent or molded?
Sand and permanent-mould casting only; long freezing range means directional solidification, generous risers, chills and filtered gating are needed to avoid hot tears and shrinkage porosity.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZL201A?
ZL201A 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 ZL201A-T5 and ZL201A-F?
T5 is the default condition — standard supply condition for aerospace ZL201A castings: highest strength with acceptable elongation (≥390 MPa / ≥8 %). F: rarely supplied; only for non-structural parts or as the pre-heat-treatment condition of the casting. Yield strength is 285 MPa in T5 versus 95 MPa in F.
How much does ZL201A cost?
ZL201A is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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
- GB/T 15115 / GB/T 9438 (related product standards) — SAC (2013)
- 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; 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.