Aluminum ZL401-F (As fabricated)
Temper
GB ZL401 · ASTM 713.0
Pick when cost and simplicity dominate and parts can age at room temperature for several days to reach usable strength.
Values for the F condition
Other ZL401 tempers and conditions
ZL401 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at ZL401.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FThis page 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-F?
ZL401-F is ZL401 in the F temper — pick when cost and simplicity dominate and parts can age at room temperature for several days to reach usable strength. ZL401-F has a yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 61% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). ZL401-F 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). T1 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; F is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 99% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 115 W/m·K (66.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 85% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 2.5%, worse than 83% of aluminum grades
- Low fracture toughness — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), worse than 83% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
ZL401-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL401-F; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ZL401 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
ZL401-F 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-F has a yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 61% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
ZL401-F is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 115 W/m·K (66.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 85% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 24 µm/m·K (13.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZL401-F conducts electricity at 31 % IACS, worse than 68% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZL401-F 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-F's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 54% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability not recommended (12/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ZL401-F
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.
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.
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 | — |
ZL401-F — frequently asked
What is ZL401-F used for?
ZL401-F 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-F?
ZL401-F has a typical yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 61% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is ZL401-F easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 54% 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-F 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-F?
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-F 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-F?
ZL401-F 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 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.