Aluminum A383 · temper
Aluminum A383-F
Properties of the F condition, compared with the other A383 tempers.
Standard commercial condition: cold-chamber die castings used straight from the die (plus trim/shot-blast).
What is A383-F?
A383-F is A383 in the F temper — standard commercial condition: cold-chamber die castings used straight from the die (plus trim/shot-blast). A383-F has a yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 66% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi). A383-F has a density of 2.74 g/cm³ (0.099 lb/in³), heavier than 63% of aluminum grades. It melts at 516°C (961 °F).
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 23 % IACS, worse than 97% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 96 W/m·K (55.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 38/100, worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 3.5%, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
A383-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for A383-F — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every A383 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
A383-F has a density of 2.74 g/cm³ (0.099 lb/in³), heavier than 63% of aluminum grades. It melts at 516°C (961 °F).
Mechanical11
A383-F has a yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 66% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
A383-F is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 96 W/m·K (55.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.1 µm/m·K (11.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A383-F conducts electricity at 23 % IACS, worse than 97% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (38/100), worse than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A383-F takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 90%.
Manufacturability7
A383-F's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Working with A383-F
Is A383 easy to machine?
Machines freely with sharp carbide or PCD tooling and flood coolant; the ~10 % Si is abrasive, so expect faster edge wear than 6061, and avoid heavy cuts into subsurface porosity.
Can A383 be welded?
Not recommended for fusion welding (gas porosity plus 2–3 % Cu causes cracking); repair by mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding or low-temperature Al-Zn solder/braze instead.
Can A383 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-chamber high-pressure die casting alloy — very high fluidity for thin walls (down to ~1 mm) and complex cores, with lower hot-cracking tendency than A380; not intended for wrought forming.
What surface finishes work on A383?
Best finished with chromate/trivalent conversion coat, powder coat or paint; decorative anodizing turns grey/patchy, and plating requires zincate-based pretreatment for die-cast aluminium.
A383 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sihigh Si for fluidity/thin walls | 9.5 – 11.5 | 10.5 |
| Cu | 2 – 3 | 2.5 |
| Fedie-casting Fe level limits die soldering | ≤ 1.3 | 0.9 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Mg | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Ni | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 3 | — |
| Sn | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
A383-F — frequently asked
What is A383-F used for?
A383-F is typically used for thin housings, computer chassis, electronics and telecom enclosures, pressure-tight pump and valve housings, power tool housings and connector bodies. In short: thin-wall die cast.
What is the yield strength of A383-F?
A383-F has a typical yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 66% of aluminum grades.
Is A383-F easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades). Machines freely with sharp carbide or PCD tooling and flood coolant; the ~10 % Si is abrasive, so expect faster edge wear than 6061, and avoid heavy cuts into subsurface porosity.
Can A383-F be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Not recommended for fusion welding (gas porosity plus 2–3 % Cu causes cracking); repair by mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding or low-temperature Al-Zn solder/braze instead.
What surface finishes work on A383-F?
Best finished with chromate/trivalent conversion coat, powder coat or paint; decorative anodizing turns grey/patchy, and plating requires zincate-based pretreatment for die-cast aluminium.
Can A383-F be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-chamber high-pressure die casting alloy — very high fluidity for thin walls (down to ~1 mm) and complex cores, with lower hot-cracking tendency than A380; not intended for wrought forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of A383-F?
A383-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 A383-F?
Yes — A383-F is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B85/B85M — Aluminum-Alloy Die Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Ingot ('Pink Sheets') — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- NADCA Product Specification Standards for Die Castings — North American Die Casting Association (2018)
- GB/T 15115 / JIS H 5302 ADC10, ADC12 — SAC / JISC (2009)
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.