Aluminum AlSi12 · print state · default condition
Aluminum AlSi12 As Printed
Properties of the As Printed condition, compared with the other AlSi12 tempers.
Highest strength and hardness from the ultrafine cellular Si network; use when residual stress and distortion are tolerable.
What is AlSi12 As Printed?
AlSi12 As Printed is AlSi12 in the As Printed condition — highest strength and hardness from the ultrafine cellular Si network; use when residual stress and distortion are tolerable. AlSi12 As Printed has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 65% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi). AlSi12 As Printed has a density of 2.67 g/cm³ (0.0965 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F).
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 27 % IACS, worse than 86% of aluminum grades
- Low fracture toughness — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), worse than 83% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 120 W/m·K (69.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
AlSi12 As Printed properties
Typical room-temperature values for AlSi12 As Printed — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every AlSi12 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
AlSi12 As Printed has a density of 2.67 g/cm³ (0.0965 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F).
Mechanical14
AlSi12 As Printed has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 65% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
AlSi12 As Printed is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 120 W/m·K (69.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 20.4 µm/m·K (11.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AlSi12 As Printed conducts electricity at 27 % IACS, worse than 86% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 51% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AlSi12 As Printed takes about 215 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — more than 92% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability7
AlSi12 As Printed's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability poor (15/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other AlSi12 tempers and conditions
AlSi12 is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the AlSi12 overview.
- As PrintedDefaultHighest strength and hardness from the ultrafine cellular Si network; use when residual stress and distortion are tolerable.250 MPa yield · 105 HB
- Stress RelievedStandard choice for dimensionally stable parts: removes build residual stress and raises ductility and conductivity at the cost of ~25 % strength.180 MPa yield · 78 HB
- T6Applied when maximum ductility and stability are wanted; because AlSi12 has essentially no Mg or Cu the age-hardening response is small and strength stays below the as-printed level.150 MPa yield · 70 HB
- HIPCloses gas and lack-of-fusion porosity for fatigue-critical or pressure-tight parts; strength drops sharply because the Si network spheroidises.130 MPa yield · 63 HB
Working with AlSi12 As Printed
Is AlSi12 easy to machine?
Machine with polished-flute uncoated or diamond-coated carbide, high speed and copious coolant; the eutectic Si is abrasive and chips are gummy without sharp edges.
Can AlSi12 be welded?
Excellent — the alloy is essentially 4047 filler chemistry, so TIG/laser repair welding of printed parts is straightforward with little hot-cracking risk.
Can AlSi12 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought alloy: parts are built by LPBF (or cast); design for self-supporting angles, keep walls ≥0.4 mm, and stress-relieve before removing from the plate to avoid distortion.
What surface finishes work on AlSi12?
Blast, tumble or machine to remove partially melted particles; hard anodising is possible but the high Si gives a dark grey, patchy colour, so paint, powder coat or chemical conversion coating is preferred for cosmetics.
AlSi12 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; AM powders typically 11–13 | 10.5 – 13.5 | 12 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.55 | 0.2 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.45 | 0.05 |
| Mgmax; no deliberate Mg, hence weak T6 response | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.15 | 0.03 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | 0.03 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Pb | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Sn | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (each / total)0.05 each, 0.15 total | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
AlSi12 As Printed — frequently asked
What is AlSi12 As Printed used for?
AlSi12 As Printed is typically used for heat sinks and cold plates, thin-wall housings and enclosures, fluid and air manifolds, electronics and RF housings, lightweight brackets and mounts and jigs, fixtures and tooling inserts. In short: eutectic Al-Si AM powder; excellent castability.
What is the yield strength of AlSi12 As Printed?
AlSi12 As Printed has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 65% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is AlSi12 As Printed easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades). Machine with polished-flute uncoated or diamond-coated carbide, high speed and copious coolant; the eutectic Si is abrasive and chips are gummy without sharp edges.
Can AlSi12 As Printed be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Excellent — the alloy is essentially 4047 filler chemistry, so TIG/laser repair welding of printed parts is straightforward with little hot-cracking risk.
What surface finishes work on AlSi12 As Printed?
Blast, tumble or machine to remove partially melted particles; hard anodising is possible but the high Si gives a dark grey, patchy colour, so paint, powder coat or chemical conversion coating is preferred for cosmetics.
Can AlSi12 As Printed be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought alloy: parts are built by LPBF (or cast); design for self-supporting angles, keep walls ≥0.4 mm, and stress-relieve before removing from the plate to avoid distortion.
What is the maximum service temperature of AlSi12 As Printed?
AlSi12 As Printed is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between AlSi12 As Printed and AlSi12-HIP?
As Printed is the default condition — highest strength and hardness from the ultrafine cellular Si network; use when residual stress and distortion are tolerable. HIP: closes gas and lack-of-fusion porosity for fatigue-critical or pressure-tight parts; strength drops sharply because the Si network spheroidises. Yield strength is 250 MPa in As Printed versus 130 MPa in HIP.
Can FabDigit make parts in AlSi12 As Printed?
Yes — AlSi12 As Printed is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 1706 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys, castings (EN AC-44200) — CEN (2020)
- ASTM B108 / Aluminum Association designation A413.0 — ASTM / Aluminum Association (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EOS Aluminium AlSi12 material data sheet — EOS GmbH (2022)
- SLM Solutions / Nikon SLM Al-Alloy AlSi12 powder data sheet — SLM Solutions (2021)
- Published LPBF AlSi12 mechanical and thermophysical property studies — peer-reviewed AM literature (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.