Aluminum 443 · temper
Aluminum 443-F
Properties of the F condition, compared with the other 443 tempers.
Standard supply condition for sand castings; alloy is not heat-treatable, so F covers virtually all commercial 443 parts.
What is 443-F?
443-F is 443 in the F temper — standard supply condition for sand castings; alloy is not heat-treatable, so F covers virtually all commercial 443 parts. 443-F has a yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi). 443-F has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 577°C (1,071 °F).
Advantages
- High service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 55 MPa (7.98 ksi), worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Low fracture toughness — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), worse than 83% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
443-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for 443-F — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 443 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
443-F has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 577°C (1,071 °F).
Mechanical11
443-F has a yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
443-F is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 142 W/m·K (82 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 51% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.1 µm/m·K (12.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
443-F conducts electricity at 37 % IACS, better than 58% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), better than 57% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 443-F takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability6
443-F's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 443 tempers and conditions
443 is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 443 overview.
- C443-FDie-casting version of the alloy: highest strength and hardness of the 443 family, chosen for thin-wall pressure die castings needing ductility and corrosion resistance.110 MPa yield · 65 HB
- F-PPick for permanent-mold parts needing somewhat higher strength and ductility than sand casting from faster solidification.62 MPa yield · 45 HB
- FStandard supply condition for sand castings; alloy is not heat-treatable, so F covers virtually all commercial 443 parts.55 MPa yield · 40 HB
Working with 443-F
Is 443 easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, generous rake and flood lubricant to avoid built-up edge and torn surfaces.
Can 443 be welded?
Very good weldability by GTAW/GMAW with 4043 or 4047 filler; no post-weld heat treatment can restore strength since the alloy is non-heat-treatable.
Can 443 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity and low hot-tear tendency for sand, permanent-mold and (as C443.0) pressure die casting; not a wrought alloy — no cold forming.
What surface finishes work on 443?
Takes chemical conversion coating and paint well; hard anodize is protective but decorative clear anodize turns grey due to silicon; polishing limited by eutectic Si.
443 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Si443.0 per ASTM B26/B108 | 4.5 – 6 | 5.25 |
| Fe2.0 max in C443.0 die-casting variant | ≤ 0.8 | — |
| Cu0.15 max in B443.0; 0.30 max in A443.0 | ≤ 0.6 | — |
| Mn0.35 max in C443.0 | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Mgkept low — alloy is intentionally non-heat-treatable | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Ti | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| NiC443.0 only | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
443-F — frequently asked
What is 443-F used for?
443-F is typically used for decorative castings, hardware and fittings, thin-wall complex sand castings, marine fittings exposed to seawater, pressure-tight housings and covers and die-cast enclosures (C443.0). In short: low-strength cast Al-Si.
What is the yield strength of 443-F?
443-F has a typical yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 443-F easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades). Soft and gummy — use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, generous rake and flood lubricant to avoid built-up edge and torn surfaces.
Can 443-F be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Very good weldability by GTAW/GMAW with 4043 or 4047 filler; no post-weld heat treatment can restore strength since the alloy is non-heat-treatable.
What surface finishes work on 443-F?
Takes chemical conversion coating and paint well; hard anodize is protective but decorative clear anodize turns grey due to silicon; polishing limited by eutectic Si.
Can 443-F be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity and low hot-tear tendency for sand, permanent-mold and (as C443.0) pressure die casting; not a wrought alloy — no cold forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of 443-F?
443-F is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 443-F?
Yes — 443-F is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B26/B26M — Aluminum-Alloy Sand Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B108/B108M — Aluminum-Alloy Permanent Mold Castings — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM B85/B85M — Aluminum-Alloy Die Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum Association Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Ingot (Pink Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.