Aluminum 4643 · temper
Aluminum 4643-F
Properties of the F condition, compared with the other 4643 tempers.
Standard supply condition for ER4643 spooled MIG wire and R4643 TIG rod.
What is 4643-F?
4643-F is 4643 in the F temper — standard supply condition for ER4643 spooled MIG wire and R4643 TIG rod. 4643-F has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 4643-F has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 96/100, better than 100% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 72/100, better than 85% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 15%, better than 82% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 41 % IACS, better than 78% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 160 W/m·K (92.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 70 MPa (10.2 ksi), worse than 92% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
4643-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for 4643-F — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 4643 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
4643-F has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F).
Mechanical10
4643-F has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
4643-F is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 160 W/m·K (92.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22 µm/m·K (12.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
4643-F conducts electricity at 41 % IACS, better than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), better than 67% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 4643-F takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability8
4643-F's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (96/100); formability very good (72/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 4643 tempers and conditions
4643 is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 4643 overview.
- AW-T6Choose when the whole weldment is post-weld solution treated and aged — the reason 4643 exists instead of 4043.195 MPa yield · 80 HB
- FStandard supply condition for ER4643 spooled MIG wire and R4643 TIG rod.70 MPa yield · 45 HB
Working with 4643-F
Is 4643 easy to machine?
Rarely machined; deposits are soft and gummy — use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, low feed and generous lubrication to avoid built-up edge.
Can 4643 be welded?
Purpose-made GMAW/GTAW filler for 6xxx alloys; keep interpass temperature low, clean oxide thoroughly, and specify 4643 only when a post-weld solution + age cycle is planned (otherwise 4043 or 5356 is cheaper).
Can 4643 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as drawn wire/rod; good drawability in O temper, and the alloy is fluid enough to cast small remelt shapes if needed.
What surface finishes work on 4643?
Anodizes fair — film is lighter than 4043 and closer to 6061 base metal, but weld beads still shade grey; chemical conversion coating or paint gives the most uniform appearance.
4643 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Si | 3.6 – 4.6 | 4.1 |
| Mgaddition vs 4043 that enables post-weld T6 strengthening | 0.1 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.8 | — |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Mn | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Bemax, where restricted by AWS A5.10 | ≤ 8×10⁻⁴ | — |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
4643-F — frequently asked
What is 4643-F used for?
4643-F is typically used for filler wire for 6061 weldments, 6063 extrusion joints, 6082 structural welds, weldments given a post-weld solution and ageing cycle, repair welds on heat-treated 6xxx extrusions and forgings and small remelt cast shapes. In short: heat-treatable filler wire.
What is the yield strength of 4643-F?
4643-F has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 4643-F easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades). Rarely machined; deposits are soft and gummy — use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, low feed and generous lubrication to avoid built-up edge.
Can 4643-F be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (96/100). Purpose-made GMAW/GTAW filler for 6xxx alloys; keep interpass temperature low, clean oxide thoroughly, and specify 4643 only when a post-weld solution + age cycle is planned (otherwise 4043 or 5356 is cheaper).
What surface finishes work on 4643-F?
Anodizes fair — film is lighter than 4043 and closer to 6061 base metal, but weld beads still shade grey; chemical conversion coating or paint gives the most uniform appearance.
Can 4643-F be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as drawn wire/rod; good drawability in O temper, and the alloy is fluid enough to cast small remelt shapes if needed.
What is the maximum service temperature of 4643-F?
4643-F is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 4643-F?
Yes — 4643-F is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- AWS A5.10/A5.10M — Specification for Bare Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Welding Electrodes and Rods — AWS (2021)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN ISO 18273 — Welding consumables: wire and rods for fusion welding of aluminium and aluminium alloys — CEN/ISO (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering (aluminium filler metal selection) — ASM International (1993)
- Aluminium filler metal selection guides (ER4643 / R4643) — Welding consumable producers (2023)
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.