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.

The most common aluminum alloy systems are aluminum-silicon, aluminum-copper, and aluminum-magnesium. This article focuses on the grain structure, eutectic microstructure, and dendritic microstructure of these systems. It provides information on microsegregation and its problems in casting of alloys. The article also illustrates the casting defects such as macroporosity, microshrinkage, and surface defects, associated with the alloys.

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.

This article is a comprehensive collection of tables and curves that present data on the properties of aluminum castings. Data are presented to explain the physical properties such as ratings of castability, corrosion resistance, machinablity, and weldability for aluminum casting alloys. The article discusses the typical mechanical properties and mechanical-property limits for aluminum sand casting alloys, permanent mold casting and die casting alloys based on tests of separately cast specimens; and typical mechanical properties of premium-quality aluminum alloy castings and elevated-temperature aluminum casting alloys. It provides a list of the creep-rupture properties and fatigue strengths of separately sand cast test bars of alloy 201.0, alloy C355.0-T61, alloy A356.0-T61, and alloy 354.0-T61.

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 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.

This article summarizes some general alloy groupings by application or major characteristics. The groupings include cast rotor, general-purpose, elevated-temperature, wear-resistant, moderate-strength, high-strength, and high-integrity die casting alloys and cast aluminum alloys bearings. A table lists selected applications for aluminum casting alloys.

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.

The 206.0, A206.0, and B206.0 alloys (aluminum alloys 2xxx) are structural castings in the heat-treated temper for automotive and aerospace applications where high tensile and yield strengths with moderate elongations are needed. This datasheet provides information on key alloy metallurgy and fabrication characteristics of these 2xxx series alloys, as well as the effects of processing on their typical physical and mechanical properties.

This article discusses the concepts underlying linear elastic fracture mechanics and elastic-plastic fracture mechanics as well as their importance in characterizing the fracture behavior of the high-strength aluminum alloys. It describes the three methods used for analyzing elastic-plastic fracture, namely R-curve concept, J-integral concept, and crack tip opening displacement method. The article considers the primary measures used to assess the toughness of aluminum alloy castings and wrought alloys: notch toughness, tear resistance, and plane-strain fracture toughness.

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.