A356 Aluminum Alloy Comprehensive Guide: Properties, Applications and FAQs
The most widely used material for modern automotive cast aluminum alloys is the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) grade A356 alloy, which is equivalent to China's ZL101A, Japan's AC4CH, Germany's AlSi7Mg, France's A-S7G03, and Russia's Aл9-1. In addition to the A356 alloy, Germany uses AlSi9Mg, AlSi10Mg, AlSi11Mg, and France uses A-S11G and A-S12.5. France also uses A-S11G, A-S12.5 . These high Si alloys are not heat-treated, they have good liquid mobility, strong shrinkage capacity, good casting performance, casting defects. But the mechanical properties and machine process performance is not as good as A356 alloy. Chemical Composition Element Symbol Composition Range (Mass %, %) Remarks (Maximum Allowable or Other Requirements) Si6.5 - 7.5 Primary alloying element to improve fluidity Mg0.25 - 0.45 Enhanced strength and heat treatment response Fe ≤ 0.20 Impurity element, required...