A359/SiC/20p
also Duralcan F3S.20S
A359/SiC/20p (Duralcan F3S.20S) is a cast aluminium metal-matrix composite combining an A359 Al-Si casting matrix with 20 vol% silicon carbide particulate, supplied in F, T5, T6, T61 and T71 tempers.
Reference datasheet — A359/SiC/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
A359/SiC/20p grades and fills
A359/SiC/20p is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. T6 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Lowest-cost condition for non-critical wear or thermal parts where peak strength is not needed. | 155 | 230 | 0.8 | |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Choose when distortion from solution treatment must be avoided but some strengthening is wanted. | 235 | 275 | 0.6 | |
Solution treated and overaged | Pick for elevated-temperature dimensional stability and highest thermal conductivity, accepting lower strength. | 255 | 290 | 0.8 | |
T6 variant, underaged | Slightly below peak strength with marginally better ductility and dimensional stability than T6. | 303 | 338 | 0.4 | |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Default structural condition: maximum strength and stiffness for brake rotors, pistons and load-bearing castings. | 310 | 340 | 0.5 |
What is A359/SiC/20p?
A359/SiC/20p (Duralcan F3S.20S) is a cast aluminium metal-matrix composite combining an A359 Al-Si casting matrix with 20 vol% silicon carbide particulate, supplied in F, T5, T6, T61 and T71 tempers. It is selected for high stiffness, wear resistance, low CTE and 180 W/m·K thermal conductivity in structural and thermal-management castings, with 340 MPa tensile strength and 310 MPa yield. Elongation is only 0.5 %, service is limited to about 200 °C, machinability is very low (score 12) and fusion welding is impractical; 6061/SiC/10p is the more machinable, more ductile alternative. A359/SiC/20p has a density of 2.77 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of composite grades. A359/SiC/20p has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — stronger than 53% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 0.5% and the elastic modulus is 98.6 GPa (14.3 Msi).
What is A359/SiC/20p used for?
- brake rotors/calipers
- electronic housings
- aerospace brackets
- optical mounts
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 180 W/m·K (104 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of composite grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 95/100, better than 78% of composite grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 45/100, worse than 94% of composite grades
- Limited ductility — 0.5%, worse than 90% of composite grades
- Difficult to machine — 12/100, worse than 89% of composite grades
- Heavy — 2.77 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), worse than 88% of composite grades
A359/SiC/20p properties
Typical room-temperature values for A359/SiC/20p-T6; bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical1
A359/SiC/20p has a density of 2.77 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of composite grades.
Mechanical13
A359/SiC/20p has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — stronger than 53% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 0.5% and the elastic modulus is 98.6 GPa (14.3 Msi).
Thermal6
A359/SiC/20p is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 180 W/m·K (104 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 17.5 µm/m·K (9.72 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
A359/SiC/20p has an electrical resistivity of 6×10⁻⁸ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 94% of composite grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A359/SiC/20p takes about 190 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — less than 53% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability2
A359/SiC/20p's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 89% 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. A359/SiC/20p is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A359/SiC/20p
Is A359/SiC/20p easy to machine?
Abrasive to conventional carbide — use PCD or diamond-coated tools, high speed / light feed, flood coolant; grinding and EDM are practical for finishing.
Can A359/SiC/20p be welded?
Fusion welding is problematic (SiC reacts with molten Al forming Al4C3); prefer mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding or specialized friction-stir / brazing procedures.
Can A359/SiC/20p be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand, permanent-mold, squeeze or die castings; keep melt stirred and pouring temperature low to avoid particle settling and interfacial reaction — cold forming is not feasible.
A359/SiC/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 |
|---|---|---|
| SiC (particulate reinforcement)20 vol% ≈ 23 wt%; typical mean particle size 10–20 µm | 21 – 25 | 23 |
| Simatrix A359 basis | 8.5 – 9.5 | 9 |
| Mgmatrix A359 basis | 0.45 – 0.7 | 0.55 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on A359/SiC/20p?
Shot blast or machine to size; anodizing is uneven because of exposed SiC, so chromate/phosphate conversion, e-coat or paint are the usual protection routes; lapping gives excellent flatness for thermal baseplates.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to A359/SiC/20p in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Duralcan F3S.20S
- Other
- Duralcan F3A.20S
How much does A359/SiC/20p cost?
A359/SiC/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.
A359/SiC/20p — frequently asked
What is A359/SiC/20p used for?
A359/SiC/20p is typically used for brake rotors/calipers, electronic housings, aerospace brackets and optical mounts. In short: wear-resistant cast MMC; 180 W/m·K with low CTE; stiffer than cast aluminium.
What is the yield strength of A359/SiC/20p?
A359/SiC/20p has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — stronger than 53% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is A359/SiC/20p easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 89% of composite grades). Abrasive to conventional carbide — use PCD or diamond-coated tools, high speed / light feed, flood coolant; grinding and EDM are practical for finishing.
Can A359/SiC/20p be welded?
Fusion welding is problematic (SiC reacts with molten Al forming Al4C3); prefer mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding or specialized friction-stir / brazing procedures.
What surface finishes work on A359/SiC/20p?
Shot blast or machine to size; anodizing is uneven because of exposed SiC, so chromate/phosphate conversion, e-coat or paint are the usual protection routes; lapping gives excellent flatness for thermal baseplates.
Can A359/SiC/20p be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand, permanent-mold, squeeze or die castings; keep melt stirred and pouring temperature low to avoid particle settling and interfacial reaction — cold forming is not feasible.
What is the maximum service temperature of A359/SiC/20p?
A359/SiC/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 A359/SiC/20p T6 and A359/SiC/20p F?
T6 is the default condition — default structural condition: maximum strength and stiffness for brake rotors, pistons and load-bearing castings. F: lowest-cost condition for non-critical wear or thermal parts where peak strength is not needed. Yield strength is 310 MPa in T6 versus 155 MPa in F.
How much does A359/SiC/20p cost?
A359/SiC/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 F3S.20S Aluminum Composite Data Sheet — Duralcan (Alcan) (1996)
- ASM Handbook Vol.21: Composites — Discontinuously Reinforced Aluminum — ASM International (2001)
- ASTM B917 / ANSI H35.5 aluminum MMC designation practice — ASTM (2020)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys (A359 matrix data) — ASM International (1993)
- SiCp/Al (2025)
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.