Aluminum A384 · temper
Aluminum A384-F
Properties of the F condition, compared with the other A384 tempers.
Standard commercial condition: properties of the as-cast die casting with no thermal treatment — pick this for essentially all A384 parts.
What is A384-F?
A384-F is A384 in the F temper — standard commercial condition: properties of the as-cast die casting with no thermal treatment — pick this for essentially all A384 parts. A384-F has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) — weaker than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi). A384-F has a density of 2.82 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 89% of aluminum grades. It melts at 516°C (961 °F).
Advantages
- High service temperature — 175°C (347 °F), better than 83% of aluminum grades
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
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 90% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades
A384-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for A384-F — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every A384 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
A384-F has a density of 2.82 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 89% of aluminum grades. It melts at 516°C (961 °F).
Mechanical14
A384-F has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) — weaker than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
A384-F is rated for continuous service to 175°C (347 °F). It conducts heat at 96 W/m·K (55.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 20.9 µm/m·K (11.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A384-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 A384-F takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 90%.
Manufacturability8
A384-F's machinability is good (60/100, better than 50% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Working with A384-F
Is A384 easy to machine?
Machines to good finish with sharp positive-rake carbide or PCD tools and flood coolant, but ~11% Si is abrasive — expect fast edge wear and avoid deep cuts into subsurface porosity.
Can A384 be welded?
Not recommended for fusion welding (Cu content + gas porosity cause cracking); join by mechanical fastening, self-piercing rivets, or adhesive; friction-stir/laser only with qualified low-porosity vacuum castings.
Can A384 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-chamber high-pressure die casting alloy with excellent fluidity and hot-tear resistance — ideal for thin walls (≥1.0 mm) and complex cores; not for bending, forming, or heat treatment (blistering risk).
What surface finishes work on A384?
Best finished by chromate/zirconium conversion coating plus paint or powder coat; decorative anodizing is poor (dark grey mottle), while shot blasting, vibratory deburring and electroless nickel/chrome plating work well.
A384 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Siprimary strength/fluidity former | 10.5 – 12 | 11.2 |
| Cu | 3 – 4.5 | 3.8 |
| Fedie-casting max; reduces die soldering | ≤ 1.3 | 0.9 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Mg | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Zn384.0 and B384.0 allow up to 3.0 Zn | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Sn | ≤ 0.35 | — |
| Tiwhen specified | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Others (each/total)others total 0.50 max | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
A384-F — frequently asked
What is A384-F used for?
A384-F is typically used for engine blocks, transmission cases, gearbox and pump housings, thin-wall electronics and telecom housings, automotive brackets and covers and structural die-cast enclosures. In short: high-fluidity die cast.
What is the yield strength of A384-F?
A384-F has a typical yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) — weaker than 59% of aluminum grades.
Is A384-F easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 50% of aluminum grades). Machines to good finish with sharp positive-rake carbide or PCD tools and flood coolant, but ~11% Si is abrasive — expect fast edge wear and avoid deep cuts into subsurface porosity.
Can A384-F be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not recommended for fusion welding (Cu content + gas porosity cause cracking); join by mechanical fastening, self-piercing rivets, or adhesive; friction-stir/laser only with qualified low-porosity vacuum castings.
What surface finishes work on A384-F?
Best finished by chromate/zirconium conversion coating plus paint or powder coat; decorative anodizing is poor (dark grey mottle), while shot blasting, vibratory deburring and electroless nickel/chrome plating work well.
Can A384-F be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-chamber high-pressure die casting alloy with excellent fluidity and hot-tear resistance — ideal for thin walls (≥1.0 mm) and complex cores; not for bending, forming, or heat treatment (blistering risk).
What is the maximum service temperature of A384-F?
A384-F is rated for continuous use to about 175°C (347 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in A384-F?
Yes — A384-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 (YL113/ADC12 ) — SAC (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.