Aluminum AlSi10Mg · temper
Aluminum AlSi10Mg CAST-T6
Properties of the CAST-T6 condition, compared with the other AlSi10Mg tempers.
Sand/permanent-mould AlSi10Mg solution treated near 525-540 °C, quenched and peak aged for maximum strength and hardness at low ductility.
What is AlSi10Mg CAST-T6?
AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 is AlSi10Mg in the CAST-T6 temper — sand/permanent-mould AlSi10Mg solution treated near 525-540 °C, quenched and peak aged for maximum strength and hardness at low ductility. AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 has a yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) — stronger than 57% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi). AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 has a density of 2.66 g/cm³ (0.0961 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of aluminum grades. It melts at 557°C (1,035 °F). As Printed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CAST-T6 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 10.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 95% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 16 MPa·√m (14.6 ksi·√in), worse than 89% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 87% of aluminum grades
AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 — 41 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every AlSi10Mg temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 has a density of 2.66 g/cm³ (0.0961 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of aluminum grades. It melts at 557°C (1,035 °F).
Mechanical15
AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 has a yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) — stronger than 57% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 150 W/m·K (86.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 58% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21 µm/m·K (11.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 conducts electricity at 30 % IACS, worse than 73% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (56/100), better than 53% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 takes about 152 MJ of energy and emits 10.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 96% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability8
AlSi10Mg CAST-T6's machinability is good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades); weldability good (60/100); 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.
Other AlSi10Mg tempers and conditions
AlSi10Mg is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the AlSi10Mg overview.
- As PrintedDefaultHighest strength/hardness straight off the plate; use when residual stress and anisotropy are acceptable and parts are small or well supported.265 MPa yield · 119 HB
- T6Choose for isotropic, thermally stable properties with balanced strength and ductility; spheroidised Si eliminates build-direction anisotropy but distortion during quench must be planned for.240 MPa yield · 105 HB
- Stress RelievedStandard industrial default for dimensional stability: removes build residual stress and anisotropy at the cost of ~25 % strength, gaining ductility and thermal conductivity.215 MPa yield · 100 HB
- CAST-T6Sand/permanent-mould AlSi10Mg solution treated near 525-540 °C, quenched and peak aged for maximum strength and hardness at low ductility.215 MPa yield · 90 HB
- CAST-T64Under-aged (T64) cast AlSi10Mg: strength close to T6 with noticeably better ductility and toughness for impact-loaded castings.200 MPa yield · 80 HB
- HIPCloses gas/lack-of-fusion porosity for fatigue-critical and pressure-tight parts; coarsens the Si network so static strength drops but ductility and fatigue life rise sharply.185 MPa yield · 88 HB
- CAST-FConventionally cast (sand or permanent-mould) AlSi10Mg in the as-cast F condition: modest strength, good castability and pressure tightness.90 MPa yield · 55 HB
Working with AlSi10Mg CAST-T6
Is AlSi10Mg easy to machine?
Machines like a hypoeutectic Al-Si casting — use polished-flute or PCD/diamond-coated carbide, high speed and low feed, flood coolant; eutectic Si is abrasive and as-built porosity can cause chatter and smeared surfaces.
Can AlSi10Mg be welded?
Weldable by TIG/laser with 4043/AlSi10 filler; keep heat input low and pre-bake parts to avoid porosity from trapped process gas, and re-age after welding since the HAZ softens.
Can AlSi10Mg be formed, bent or molded?
Not cold-formable — geometry is created by the build; design with ≥45° self-supporting angles, 0.4 mm minimum wall, and stress-relieve on the plate before support removal to prevent warping.
What surface finishes work on AlSi10Mg?
Bead-blast or tumble to even the as-built roughness (Ra 6–15 µm), machine critical faces, then hard-anodize or chromate-free conversion coat; anodized colour is dark grey and non-uniform because of the silicon.
AlSi10Mg 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sinear-eutectic, drives fluidity and printability | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| MgMg2Si precipitation hardening | 0.2 – 0.45 | 0.35 |
| Fepowder grades usually ≤0.25 | ≤ 0.55 | 0.15 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.45 | 0.05 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | 0.02 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Pb | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Sn | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Opowder oxygen, typical gas-atomised limit | ≤ 0.2 | 0.06 |
| Al | balance | — |
AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 — frequently asked
What is AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 used for?
AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 is typically used for brackets, heat exchangers and drone frames. In short: standard LPBF aluminum casting.
What is the yield strength of AlSi10Mg CAST-T6?
AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 has a typical yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) — stronger than 57% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades). Machines like a hypoeutectic Al-Si casting — use polished-flute or PCD/diamond-coated carbide, high speed and low feed, flood coolant; eutectic Si is abrasive and as-built porosity can cause chatter and smeared surfaces.
Can AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Weldable by TIG/laser with 4043/AlSi10 filler; keep heat input low and pre-bake parts to avoid porosity from trapped process gas, and re-age after welding since the HAZ softens.
What surface finishes work on AlSi10Mg CAST-T6?
Bead-blast or tumble to even the as-built roughness (Ra 6–15 µm), machine critical faces, then hard-anodize or chromate-free conversion coat; anodized colour is dark grey and non-uniform because of the silicon.
Can AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Not cold-formable — geometry is created by the build; design with ≥45° self-supporting angles, 0.4 mm minimum wall, and stress-relieve on the plate before support removal to prevent warping.
What is the maximum service temperature of AlSi10Mg CAST-T6?
AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 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.
What is the difference between AlSi10Mg As Printed and AlSi10Mg CAST-F?
As Printed is the default condition — highest strength/hardness straight off the plate; use when residual stress and anisotropy are acceptable and parts are small or well supported. CAST-F: conventionally cast (sand or permanent-mould) AlSi10Mg in the as-cast F condition: modest strength, good castability and pressure tightness. Yield strength is 265 MPa in As Printed versus 90 MPa in CAST-F.
Can FabDigit make parts in AlSi10Mg CAST-T6?
Yes — AlSi10Mg CAST-T6 is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EOS Aluminium AlSi10Mg Material Data Sheet — EOS GmbH (2022)
- AlSi10Mg Material Data Sheet for SLM systems — Nikon SLM Solutions (2023)
- EN 1706 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys, castings (EN AC-43000/AlSi10Mg) — CEN (2020)
- ASTM F3318 — Additive Manufacturing of Aluminium Alloy AlSi10Mg by Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion — ASTM International (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Aluminum Alloys (A360/AlSi10Mg) — ASM International (1990)
- Senvol / published L-PBF AlSi10Mg mechanical and fatigue data compilations — various peer-reviewed sources (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.