Summary for a356 properties Discussion
A356 properties are given for A356.0-T6 sand cast aluminum: density 2.67 g/cc, ultimate tensile strength 234 MPa, yield strength 165 MPa, modulus of elasticity 72.4 GPa, and Poisson’s ratio 0.33, according to Ken Vlach’s answer citing MatWeb data. In the A380 vs. A356-T6 discussion, Toby Padfield explains that A380 is a high-pressure die-casting alloy with 7.5-9.5% silicon, while A356 is typically used for sand or gravity/low-pressure permanent mold castings and contains 6.5-7.5% silicon. He notes that high-pressure die castings are often not heat treated because porosity can form during turbulent filling, but A356-T6 can achieve similar or better mechanical properties after T6 heat treatment. However, he cautions that the casting process affects dimensional characteristics, so A356-T6 is not automatically a direct replacement if the original specification was driven by die-casting requirements. A later question asks about shrink rate for sand casting A356, but no answer is shown in the excerpt.
Q. Sir,
I am doing a project on “Analysis of Aluminium Alloy Wheels”. I would like to know the properties of Aluminium Alloy A-356 especially Young’s Modulus, Ultimate Stress, Density and Poisson’s Ratio.
VarathaRajan.R
– Vellore, Tamilnadu, India
2003
A. Properties for Aluminum A356.0-T6, Sand Cast*
Density 2.67 g/cc 0.0965 lb/in
Tensile Strength, Ultimate 234 MPa 33900 psi
Tensile Strength, Yield 165 MPa 23900 psi 0.2% offset
Elongation at Break 3.5 % 3.5 % in 50 mm
Modulus of Elasticity 72.4 GPa 10500 ksi (Tension)
Poisson’s Ratio 0.33 0.33
* Tensile strength and elongation values are slightly higher for Aluminum A356.0-T61, Permanent Mold Cast. Data from www.matweb.com
Ken Vlach [deceased]
– Goleta, California
Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.
Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.
Q. My company provides solutions for a wide variety of Air Force programs. Recently I went out for quotations on a radio front panel assembly where MIL SPECS called for A380. One respondent stated that A380 is no longer used, and that A356-T6 is what is now used, and would qualify as a suitable replacement. Is this correct?
Tim Birdsell
Defense Contractor – Warner Robins, Georgia, USA
2004
A. A380 is an aluminum alloy that contains 7.5-9.5 Si, and is used for high pressure die casting. A356 is an aluminum alloy with 6.5-7.5% Si, and is usually only used with sand or gravity/low pressure die casting (permanent mold casting). Since high pressure die castings are prone to porosity formation (due to turbulent filling), they are infrequently heat treated after casting. The T6 heat treating process confers additional strength to aluminum castings, which means that A356-T6 can achieve similar or better properties to A380. The casting process will affect dimensional characteristics, so this may be why a high pressure die casting using alooy A380 was originally specified.
Toby Padfield
Automotive module supplier – Michigan
Q. Was wondering the shrink rate of Al 356? I’m sand casting and need the percentage I need to make my model knowing it will shrink in the casting process?
Bryan Blaha
skateboard manufacturing – Palos Park, Illinois
October 4, 2013
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