A356.

ALUMINIUM CASTING ALLOY

(7Si-0.3Mg)

Specifications

AMS. 356.0: 4217, 4260, 4261, 4284, 4285, 4286, A356.0: 4218
Former ASTM. 356.0, SG70A; A356.0, SG70B
SAE. 356.0: J452, 323
UNS number. 356.0: A03560. A356.0: A13560
Government. 356.0: QQ-A-601, QQ-A-596.
A356.0: MIL-C-21180 (Class 12)
Foreign. ISO:AlSi7Mg

Chemical Composition

Composition limits. 356.0: 0.25 Cu max, 0.20 to 0.45Mg, 0.35 Mn max, 6.5 to 7.5 Si, 0.6 Fe max,
0.35 Zn max, 0.25 Ti max, 0.05 other (each) max, 0.15 others (total) max, bal Al. A356.0: 0.20 Cu
max, 0.25 to 0.45 Mg, 0.10 Mn max, 6.5 to 7.5 Si, 0.20 Fe max, 0.10 Zn max, 0.20 Ti max, 0.05
other (each) max, 0.15 others (total) max, bal Al.
Consequence of exceeding impurity limits. High copper or nickel decreases ductility and
resistance to corrosion. High iron decreases strength and ductility.

Applications

Typical uses. 356.0 aircraft pump parts, automotive transmission cases, aircraft fittings and
control parts, water-cooled cylinder blocks. Other applications where excellent castability and
good weldability, pressure tightness, and good resistance to corrosion are required. A356.0:
aircraft structures and engine controls, nuclear energy installations, and other applications where
high-strength permanent mold or investment castings are required.

Mechanical Properties

0.2%. Proof Stress (N/mmº) 185

Tensile stress (N/mm_) 230
Elongation (%) 2
Impact -
Brinell Hardness 75
Endurance Limit 56
Modulus of Elasticity 71
Shear strength 120

Properties in excess of those quoted can be obtained with Strontium additions e.g.- Elongation
5%
Mass Characteristics

Density. 2.685 g/cm_ (0.097 lb/in_) at 20ºC (68ºF)

Thermal Properties

Liquidus temperature. 615ºC (1135ºF)

Solidus temperature. 555ºC (1035ºF)
Coefficient of linear thermal expansion.

Temperature range Average coefficient

ºC ºF p.m/mK p.in/in. ºF
20-100 68-212 21.5 11.9
20-200 68-392 22.5 12.5
20-300 68-572 23.5 13.1

Specific heat. 963 J/kg . K (0.230 Btu/lb.ºF) at 100ºC (212º)

Latent heat of fusion. 389kJ/kg
Thermal conductivity. At 25 ºC (77ºF)

Minimum mechanical properties for alloy A356.0-T61 castings

Tensile strength Tensile yield Compressive yield

strength (b)(c) strenght (e)

Class MPa Ksi MPa Ksi Elongation (d) % MPa Ksi

1 260 38 195 28 5 195 28

2 275 40 205 30 3 205 30
3 310 45 235 34 3 235 34
10 260 38 195 28 5 195 28
11 230 33 185 27 3 185 27
12 220 32 150 22 2 150 22

(a) Classes 1,2, and 3 (levels) of properties) obtainable only at designated areas of casting;
classes 10,11 and 12 may be specificied at any location in casting. (b) Specified in MIL-A-21180.
(C) 0.2% offset. (d) in 4d. where d is diameter of reduced section of tensile-test specimen. (e)
Design values; not specified
 Filing Code: Al-392

ALCOA 6063 Aluminum

April 2005

ALCOA 6063
(Extruded Aluminum Alloy)
Alloy 6063, one of the most popular alloys in the 6000 series, provides good extrudability and a high-quality surface finish. Alloy 6063 is used
in a variety of architectural applications.

Chemical Composition, wt.%: Coefficient of linear thermal expansion, 23.4 (13.0)

average, 20–100 °C (68–212 °F),
(Typical) 10−6/K (10−6/°F)
Silicon 0.20–0.6 See also Table 1.
Iron 0.35 max
Copper 0.10 max Mechanical Properties:
Manganese 0.10 max
Magnesium 0.45–0.9 See Table 1.
Chromium 0.10 max
Zinc 0.10 max
Titanium 0.10 max
Heat Treatment:
Others, each 0.05 max See Table 2.
Others, total 0.15 max
Aluminum bal
Formability:
Physical Properties: Formability and cold workability for common heat treatments are:
Rating Temper(s)
Density, kg/m3 (lb/in.3 ) 2685 (0.097)
Solidus temperature, °C (°F) 615 (1139) Excellent O
Liquidus temperature, °C (°F) 655 (1211) Good T1, T4, T5, T52
Fair T54, T6, T83

Table 1 Mechanical and Physical Property Limits

Tensile Yield strength, Shear strength,
Specified section or strength 0.2% offset Elongation (b), min, Hardness, typical, 500 kg typical Electrical conductivity,
Temper wall thickness(a), in. MPa ksi MPa ksi in 2 in. or 4D(c), % load, 10 mm ball, HB MPa ksi typical, %IACS
Standard tempers(d)
O All 131 max 19.0 max … … 18 25 69 10 58
T1 ≤0.500 117 min 17.0 min 62 min 9.0 min 12 42 97 14 50
0.501–1.000 110 min 16.0 min 55 min 8.0 min 12 42 97 14 50
T4 ≤0.500 131 min 19.0 min 69 min 10.0 min 14 … … … …
0.501–1.000 124 min 18.0 min 62 min 9.0 min 14 … … … …
T5 ≤0.500 152 min 22.0 min 110 min 16.0 min 8 60 117 17 55
0.501–1.000 145 min 21.0 min 103 min 15.0 min 8 60 117 17 55
T52 ≤1.000 152–207 22.0–30.0 110–172 16.0–25.0 8 60 117 17 55
T53 ≤0.249 90–145 13.0–21.0 34–90 5.0–13.0 8 … … … …
T54 ≤0.124 228 min 33.0 min 207 min 30.0 min 8 … … … …
0.125–0.499 228 min 33.0 min 207 min 30.0 min 10 … … … …
T55 ≤0.124 193 min 28.0 min 159 min 23.0 min 8 … … … …
0.125–0.249 186 min 27.0 min 152 min 22.0 min 10 … … … …
0.250–0.499 179 min 26.0 min 145 min 21.0 min 12 … … … …
T6 ≤0.124 207 min 30.0 min 172 min 25.0 min 8 73 152 22 53
0.125–1.000 207 min 30.0 min 172 min 25.0 min 10 73 152 22 53
Alcoa special tempers, extruded(e)
T4S18 ≤0.500 131 min 19.0 min 62 min 9.0 min 14 42 97 14 50
≥0.501 124 min 18.0 min 55 min 8.0 min 14 42 97 14 50
T53S22 ≤0.250 131 min 19.0 min 69 min 10.0 min 14 42 97 14 55
T6S5 ≤0.124 207 min 30.0 min 172 min 25.0 min 8 73 152 22 53
0.125–1.000 207 min 30.0 min 172 min 25.0 min 10 73 152 22 53

(a) The thickness of the cross section from which the tension test specimen is taken determines the applicable mechanical properties. (b) For material of such dimensions that a standard test specimen cannot be
obtained, or for shapes thinner than 0.062 in., the test for elongation is not required. (c) D, specimen diameter (d) The mechanical property limits for standard tempers are listed in Aluminum Standards and Data
and Tempers for Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Products published by the Aluminum Association. (e) Alcoa special tempers are unregistered tempers for reference only and are provided by Alcoa for customer
use to identify unique processing, material, or end-use application characteristics.
Table 2 Temper Designations and Definitions
Temper Temper definition(a)
Standard tempers
F As fabricated. There is no special control over thermal conditions,
and there are no mechanical property limits.
O Annealed. Applies to products that are annealed to obtain the lowest-
strength temper.
T1 Cooled from an elevated-temperature shaping process and naturally
aged(b).
T4 Solution heat-treated and naturally aged(b).
T5, T52, T53, Cooled from an elevated temperature shaping process and artificially
T54, T55 aged(b).
T6 Solution heat treated and artificially aged(c).
Alcoa special tempers(d)
T4S18 For 6063 extrusions and finished products requiring maximum
formability in the naturally aged condition that will not be heat treat-
ed to the T6 temper(e).
T4S6 For 6063 extrusions requiring maximum formability in the naturally
aged condition. This temper is intended for use when extrusions will
be formed by the customer in the naturally aged condition and subse-
quently aged to the T6 temper. May not meet T4 temper minimum
mechanical property limits, but will meet the T6 minimum when
properly aged. Test reports will state the T6 temper properties to
demonstrate heat treat capabilities, but product will be supplied in
the naturally aged condition(e).
T53S22 For 6063 extrusions where the T4 temper minimum property values
are required for strength and a maximum value is required for high
formability(e).
T6S5 For 6063 extrusions requiring good formability; meets standard
6063-T6 minimum property values.
(a) For further details of definitions see Aluminum Standards and Data and Tempers for Aluminum
and Aluminum Alloy Products published by the Aluminum Association. (b) Applies to products that
are not cold worked after cooling from an elevated-temperature shaping process, or in which the effect
of cold work in flattening or straightening may not be recognized in mechanical properties. (c)
Applies to products that are not cold worked after solution heat treatment, or in which the effect of
cold work in flattening or straightening may not be recognized in mechanical properties. (d) Alcoa
special temper designations are unregistered tempers for reference only and are provided by Alcoa for
customer use to identify unique processing, material, or end-use application characteristics. (e) The
specified temper will not conform to Military, Federal, ASTM, ASME, and AMS specifications.
Surface Finishing:
Anodizing is considered an excellent coating for the T5 and T52 tempers
as a matte finish, for the T53, T54, and T6 tempers as a lustrous finish,
and for the T83 temper.
The most common anodizing methods are: clear anodizing, clear anodiz-
ing and color dying, and bright dipping and clear anodizing. Bright dip-
ping and anodizing are economical alternatives to mechanically polished
surfaces.
Machinability:
Machinability is considered fair for tempers T54, T6, and T83.
Specification Equivalents:
UNS A96063
General Characteristics:
Alcoa produces 6063 for use in standard architectural shapes, custom solid
shapes, heat sinks, and seamless and structural tube and pipe. In the heat
treated condition, alloy 6063 provides good resistance to general corrosion,
including resistance to stress-corrosion cracking. It is easily welded or
brazed by various commercial methods with the caution that direct contact
by dissimilar metals can cause galvanic corrosion. Because 6063 is a heat
treatable alloy, its strength in the T6 condition may be reduced in the weld
region. Selection of an appropriate filler alloy will depend on the desired
weld characteristics. Consult the producer’s Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) for proper safety and handling precautions when using alloy 6063.
Because 6063 is an alloy of choice for aesthetic applications, special
packaging may be required to protect critical exposed surfaces. Alloy
6063 is not typically ink-stenciled in order to preserve its surface finish
quality. If stenciling and/or special packaging is required, it should be
specified to the producer at the time of quotation. Alcoa offers alloy 6063
in a variety of standard tempers, as well as special tempers developed for
unique applications. Fig. 1 gives comparative characteristics of 6063 and
other related alloys in a variety of conditions.
Product Forms Available:
Alcoa produces the alloy in standard architectural shapes and structural
pipe and tube. Contact the producer for information on custom solid
shapes and heat sinks.
Applications:
Typical applications include architectural and building products; electri-
cal components; conduit, pipe, and tube for irrigation systems; door and
window frames; railings; and furniture.
Alloy 6063 is often used for electrical applications in the T5, T52, and T6
conditions due to its good electrical conductivity.
Producer:
Alcoa Engineered Products
Cressona, PA 17929
(800) 233-3165
(800) 252-4646 (fax)
www.alcoa.com
ISSN: 002-614X Al-392B