This datasheet provides information on key alloy metallurgy, processing effects on physical and mechanical properties, and applications characteristics of Al-Si-Mg high-strength casting alloys 356.0 and A356.0. Figures illustrate the variation of Charpy impact energy in A356-T6 castings as a function of solution time; and room-temperature aging characteristics for aluminum alloy 356.0-T4. Growth and hardness curves for aluminum alloy 356.0-T4 are also presented.

This article is an atlas of fractographs that helps in understanding the causes and mechanisms of fracture of cast aluminum alloys and in identifying and interpreting the morphology of fracture surfaces. The fractographs illustrate the brittle fracture, microvoid coalescence, fatigue striations, and microstructure of these alloys. The components considered include fractured sand-cast carrier trays, broken extension-housing yokes, helicopter tail-rotor drive assemblies, fractured bell-crank fittings, chain-hoist hooks, and automotive connecting rods.

This article aims to comprehensively review and summarize the material properties and engineering data for aluminum alloy castings and their many applications. The discussion focuses on conventional sand, permanent mold, and die castings as well as the premium engineered versions of some alloys. The article provides a summary of aluminum casting alloy designations of The Aluminum Association, the Unified Numbering System, and specific alloys considered premium strength by definition and by ASTM International and Aerospace Material Specifications. A distillation of data from published industry sources is given for a wide range of the properties and performance characteristics for topics such as: physical and thermophysical properties, typical and minimum mechanical properties, fatigue resistance, fracture resistance, and subcritical crack growth.

The aluminum alloy 4043 is recommended as a filler metal when resistance to salt water corrosion is required, especially when welding such aluminum alloys as 5052, 6061, and 6063. This datasheet provides information on key alloy metallurgy, and processing effects on tensile properties of this 4xxx series alloy.

The most widely accepted alloy and temper designation system for aluminum and its alloys is maintained by the Aluminum Association and recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as the American National Standard Alloy and Temper Designation Systems for Aluminum (ANSI H35.1). This article provides a detailed discussion on the alloy and temper designation system for aluminum and its alloys. The Aluminum Association alloy designations are grouped as wrought and cast alloys. Lengthy tables provide information on alloying elements in wrought aluminum and aluminum alloys; nominal composition of aluminum alloy castings; typical mechanical properties of wrought and cast aluminum alloys in various temper conditions; and cross references to former and current cast aluminum alloy designations.

Commercial aluminum alloys are classified based on how they are made and what they contain. This article describes the ANSI H35.1 designation system, which is widely used to classify wrought and cast aluminum alloys. The ANSI standard uses a four-digit numbering system to identify alloying elements, compositional modifications, purity levels, and product types. It also uses a multicharacter code to convey process-related details on heat treating, hardening, cooling, cold working, and other stabilization treatments. The article includes several large tables that provide extensive information on aluminum alloy and temper designations and how they correspond to critical mechanical properties as well as other designation systems.

The family of type 357 alloys contain the highest magnesium levels and are used where high strength is required. This datasheet provides information on key alloy metallurgy, fabrication characteristics, processing effects on physical and mechanical properties, and applications characteristics of Al-Si-Mg high-strength casting alloys.

This article discusses the visual and microscopic characteristics of fractures of cast alloys. These fractures include ductile rupture, transgranular brittle fracture, intergranular fracture, fatigue, and environmentally induced fracture. The article also describes the factors that affect fracture appearance.

Aluminum casting alloys are the most versatile of all common foundry alloys and generally have the highest castability ratings. Aluminum alloy castings are routinely produced by pressure-die, permanent-mold, green and dry-sand, investment, and plaster casting. This article describes factors affecting the selection of casting process and the general designation system for aluminum alloys. It provides useful information on mechanical test methods, selection of proper test specimens for accurate test methods, characteristics of premium engineered castings, and advantages of hot isostatic pressing.

Heat treatment of aluminum alloys is assessed by various quality-assurance methods that include metallographic examination, hardness measurements, mechanical property tests, corrosion-resistance tests, and electrical conductivity testing. The use of hardness measurements in the quality assurance of heat treated aluminum products is effectively used in conjunction with the measurement of surface electrical conductivity. This article provides a detailed discussion of the error sources in eddy-current conductivity measurements. It also presents useful information on the variation of electrical conductivity of alloy 2024 samples as a function of aging time at different isothermal holding temperatures.

Alloy 296.0 is an aluminum permanent-mold casting alloy with higher silicon than 295.0, which reduces shrinkage and improves fluidity. This datasheet provides information on key alloy metallurgy, fabrication characteristics, processing effects on physical and mechanical properties, and application characteristics of this series alloy. Room-temperature aging characteristics for aluminum alloy 296.0-T4 and 296.0-T6 are also illustrated.