Aluminum ZL401
GB ZL401 · ASTM 713.0
ZL401 (713.0) is an Al-Zn-Si casting alloy that self-ages at room temperature, so useful strength is obtained in the as-cast F or T1 condition without solution treatment or quenching.
Reference datasheet — ZL401 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 T1 condition
ZL401 tempers and conditions
ZL401 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. T1 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 | Pick when cost and simplicity dominate and parts can age at room temperature for several days to reach usable strength. | 160 | 200 | 2.5 | 80 HB | 31 % IACS |
Sand cast, artificially aged | Sand or investment cast parts; slower solidification lowers strength relative to permanent mould. | 165 | 205 | 2.5 | 80 HB | 32 % IACS |
T1Default Cooled from hot working and naturally aged | Standard GB/T 1173 delivery condition: a low-temperature ageing stabilises dimensions and raises strength without a solution treatment. | 175 | 220 | 2 | 85 HB | 33 % IACS |
Permanent (metal) mould cast, artificially aged | Choose for the highest strength and best surface of this grade, in medium-to-high volume permanent-mould production. | 195 | 250 | 1.8 | 92 HB | 33 % IACS |
What is ZL401?
ZL401 (713.0) is an Al-Zn-Si casting alloy that self-ages at room temperature, so useful strength is obtained in the as-cast F or T1 condition without solution treatment or quenching. Typical T1 values are 220 MPa tensile, 175 MPa yield, 2 % elongation and 85 HB with service to 150 °C, making it a low-cost choice for gravity, sand and permanent-mould castings such as covers, housings and hardware. Ductility is low, the 7 % silicon is abrasive to tooling, and the high zinc makes fusion welding and decorative anodizing impractical. A356.0-T6 is the alternative where weldability, ductility or a clear anodized finish is required. ZL401 has a density of 2.95 g/cm³ (0.107 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of aluminum grades. It melts at 545°C (1,013 °F). ZL401 has a yield strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) — weaker than 55% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is ZL401 used for?
- low-cost gravity castings
- decorative hardware
- non-structural housings
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 99% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 15 MPa·√m (13.7 ksi·√in), worse than 93% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 87% of aluminum grades
ZL401 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL401-T1; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ZL401 has a density of 2.95 g/cm³ (0.107 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of aluminum grades. It melts at 545°C (1,013 °F).
Mechanical16
ZL401 has a yield strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) — weaker than 55% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
ZL401 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 125 W/m·K (72.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 72% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 24 µm/m·K (13.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZL401 conducts electricity at 33 % IACS, worse than 57% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (43/100), worse than 65% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZL401 takes about 155 MJ of energy and emits 9 kg of CO₂ — less than 94% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
ZL401's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
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. ZL401 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ZL401
Is ZL401 easy to machine?
Machines readily with carbide or PCD tooling and generous coolant; the 7% Si is abrasive, so use sharp positive-rake tools and avoid HSS for volume work.
Can ZL401 be welded?
Poor fusion weldability — the high Zn causes hot cracking, porosity and zinc fume; repair only by preheated TIG with 4043/4047 filler or by mechanical joining.
Can ZL401 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry alloy only: good fluidity and low hot-tearing risk, suited to sand, shell and permanent-mould casting; degas well and keep melt below ~730 °C to limit Zn loss.
ZL401 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Znmain strengthening/self-ageing element | 9 – 13 | 11 |
| Sifluidity, castability | 6 – 8 | 7 |
| Mgwith Zn forms MgZn2 ageing phase | 0.1 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Feimpurity; ≤0.7 for sand casting, ≤1.2 for permanent mould | ≤ 1.2 | |
| Cuimpurity limit | ≤ 0.6 | |
| Mnimpurity limit | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Tigrain refiner residual | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on ZL401?
Anodizing gives a dark, patchy film because of the silicon; prefer chromate/phosphate conversion coating, powder coat or paint, and seal machined faces to avoid galvanic attack.
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 ZL401 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- 713.0
- Also called
- ZAlZn11Si7
How much does ZL401 cost?
ZL401 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.
ZL401 — frequently asked
What is ZL401 used for?
ZL401 is typically used for low-cost gravity castings, decorative hardware and non-structural housings. In short: no heat treatment needed; low-cost as-cast strength; not fusion weldable.
What is the yield strength of ZL401?
ZL401 has a typical yield strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) — weaker than 55% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is ZL401 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades). Machines readily with carbide or PCD tooling and generous coolant; the 7% Si is abrasive, so use sharp positive-rake tools and avoid HSS for volume work.
Can ZL401 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Poor fusion weldability — the high Zn causes hot cracking, porosity and zinc fume; repair only by preheated TIG with 4043/4047 filler or by mechanical joining.
What surface finishes work on ZL401?
Anodizing gives a dark, patchy film because of the silicon; prefer chromate/phosphate conversion coating, powder coat or paint, and seal machined faces to avoid galvanic attack.
Can ZL401 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry alloy only: good fluidity and low hot-tearing risk, suited to sand, shell and permanent-mould casting; degas well and keep melt below ~730 °C to limit Zn loss.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZL401?
ZL401 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ZL401-T1 and ZL401 J-T1?
T1 is the default condition — standard GB/T 1173 delivery condition: a low-temperature ageing stabilises dimensions and raises strength without a solution treatment. J-T1: choose for the highest strength and best surface of this grade, in medium-to-high volume permanent-mould production. Yield strength is 175 MPa in T1 versus 195 MPa in J-T1.
How much does ZL401 cost?
ZL401 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 — ASM International (1990)
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.