A356/Al2O3/20p
also Duralcan W6A.20A
A356/Al2O3/20p (Duralcan W6A.20A) is a cast Al-Si-Mg A356 matrix reinforced with 20% alumina particulate, heat treatable in the same F, T5, T6 and T7 tempers as the unreinforced alloy.
Reference datasheet — A356/Al2O3/20p 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 T6 condition
A356/Al2O3/20p grades and fills
A356/Al2O3/20p is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. T6 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Lowest-cost condition for non-critical wear parts where stiffness and CTE, not strength, drive the design. | 125 | 190 | 1 | |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Choose when distortion from solution quenching must be avoided but some strengthening is needed. | 205 | 255 | 0.8 | |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Pick for dimensional stability and slightly better ductility/toughness at elevated service temperature, at some strength cost. | 245 | 290 | 1.2 | |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard delivery condition for structural and brake/piston applications: peak strength with maximum stiffness benefit from the alumina. | 290 | 330 | 0.7 |
What is A356/Al2O3/20p?
A356/Al2O3/20p (Duralcan W6A.20A) is a cast Al-Si-Mg A356 matrix reinforced with 20% alumina particulate, heat treatable in the same F, T5, T6 and T7 tempers as the unreinforced alloy. Engineers select it where stiffness, wear resistance and reduced thermal expansion matter more than ductility; the default condition gives 290 MPa yield, 330 MPa tensile and 130 W/m·K in sand, permanent-mold and squeeze-cast parts. Elongation is only 0.7%, maximum service temperature is about 200 °C, and the alumina is abrasive enough to require diamond tooling. Unreinforced A356-T6 is the fallback where ductility or machining cost dominates. A356/Al2O3/20p has a density of 2.94 g/cm³ (0.106 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of composite grades. A356/Al2O3/20p has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 58% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 0.7% and the elastic modulus is 98 GPa (14.2 Msi).
What is A356/Al2O3/20p used for?
- automotive brake components
- engine pistons
- wear-resistant castings
- pump housings
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 130 W/m·K (75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 90% of composite grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 55/100, better than 83% of composite grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 95/100, better than 78% of composite grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 2.94 g/cm³ (0.106 lb/in³), worse than 91% of composite grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 87% of composite grades
- Limited ductility — 0.7%, worse than 86% of composite grades
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 77% of composite grades
A356/Al2O3/20p properties
Typical room-temperature values for A356/Al2O3/20p-T6; bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical1
A356/Al2O3/20p has a density of 2.94 g/cm³ (0.106 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of composite grades.
Mechanical13
A356/Al2O3/20p has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 58% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 0.7% and the elastic modulus is 98 GPa (14.2 Msi).
Thermal6
A356/Al2O3/20p is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 130 W/m·K (75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 90% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 17.5 µm/m·K (9.72 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
A356/Al2O3/20p has an electrical resistivity of 5.5×10⁻⁸ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 87% of composite grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A356/Al2O3/20p takes about 210 MJ of energy and emits 14 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability2
A356/Al2O3/20p's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 77% of composite grades).
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 composite family
Yield strength against density for every composite grade FabDigit runs. A356/Al2O3/20p is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A356/Al2O3/20p
Is A356/Al2O3/20p easy to machine?
Highly abrasive — use PCD or CVD-diamond tooling, high speed/low feed, flood coolant; carbide tools wear in minutes.
Can A356/Al2O3/20p be welded?
Fusion welding is problematic (particle clustering, Al4C3-free but oxide segregation); prefer mechanical joining, adhesive bonding or friction stir welding with MMC-rated tools.
Can A356/Al2O3/20p be formed, bent or molded?
Cast by stir/rheocasting into sand, permanent-mould or squeeze-cast tooling; keep melt stirred and avoid long holding to prevent particle settling; not cold formable.
A356/Al2O3/20p 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Al2O3 particulatevol % of composite (≈27 wt %); typical mean particle size 10–20 µm | 18 – 22 | 20 |
| Simatrix A356 basis | 6.5 – 7.5 | 7 |
| Mgmatrix; also aids particle wetting | 0.25 – 0.45 | 0.35 |
| Fematrix impurity limit | ≤ 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Almatrix balance | balance |
What surface finishes work on A356/Al2O3/20p?
Anodizing gives a patchy film over exposed Al2O3 particles; chromate/Ni-plating and painting work well, honing/lapping preferred over high-gloss polishing.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to A356/Al2O3/20p in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Duralcan W6A.20A
How much does A356/Al2O3/20p cost?
A356/Al2O3/20p is a high-cost composite ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
A356/Al2O3/20p — frequently asked
What is A356/Al2O3/20p used for?
A356/Al2O3/20p is typically used for automotive brake components, engine pistons, wear-resistant castings and pump housings. In short: wear-resistant cast aluminum; higher modulus than A356; needs diamond tooling.
What is the yield strength of A356/Al2O3/20p?
A356/Al2O3/20p has a typical yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 58% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is A356/Al2O3/20p easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 77% of composite grades). Highly abrasive — use PCD or CVD-diamond tooling, high speed/low feed, flood coolant; carbide tools wear in minutes.
Can A356/Al2O3/20p be welded?
Fusion welding is problematic (particle clustering, Al4C3-free but oxide segregation); prefer mechanical joining, adhesive bonding or friction stir welding with MMC-rated tools.
What surface finishes work on A356/Al2O3/20p?
Anodizing gives a patchy film over exposed Al2O3 particles; chromate/Ni-plating and painting work well, honing/lapping preferred over high-gloss polishing.
Can A356/Al2O3/20p be formed, bent or molded?
Cast by stir/rheocasting into sand, permanent-mould or squeeze-cast tooling; keep melt stirred and avoid long holding to prevent particle settling; not cold formable.
What is the maximum service temperature of A356/Al2O3/20p?
A356/Al2O3/20p is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F), and briefly to 300°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between A356/Al2O3/20p T6 and A356/Al2O3/20p F?
T6 is the default condition — standard delivery condition for structural and brake/piston applications: peak strength with maximum stiffness benefit from the alumina. F: lowest-cost condition for non-critical wear parts where stiffness and CTE, not strength, drive the design. Yield strength is 290 MPa in T6 versus 125 MPa in F.
How much does A356/Al2O3/20p cost?
A356/Al2O3/20p is a high-cost composite ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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
- Duralcan Aluminum Matrix Composites — cast composite property data (F3A/W6A series) — Alcan/Duralcan (1995)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 21: Composites — Discontinuously Reinforced Aluminum — ASM International (2001)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys (A356 matrix data) — ASM International (1990)
- GB/T 1173 (A356 / ZL101A matrix basis) — SAC (2013)
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.