Aluminum ZL101 · temper
Aluminum ZL101-T4
Properties of the T4 condition, compared with the other ZL101 tempers.
Best ductility/toughness combination — choose for impact-loaded or straightened castings.
What is ZL101-T4?
ZL101-T4 is ZL101 in the T4 temper — best ductility/toughness combination — choose for impact-loaded or straightened castings. ZL101-T4 has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) — weaker than 79% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi). ZL101-T4 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 555°C (1,031 °F). T6 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T4 is available on request or by drawing note.
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Low strength — 115 MPa (16.7 ksi), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
ZL101-T4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL101-T4 — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every ZL101 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
ZL101-T4 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 555°C (1,031 °F).
Mechanical12
ZL101-T4 has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) — weaker than 79% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
ZL101-T4 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 145 W/m·K (83.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 53% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.5 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZL101-T4 conducts electricity at 36 % IACS, better than 55% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), better than 57% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZL101-T4 takes about 195 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 86% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability6
ZL101-T4's machinability is good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other ZL101 tempers and conditions
ZL101 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the ZL101 overview.
- T6DefaultDefault structural temper — highest strength and hardness for wheels, pump/valve bodies and load-bearing housings.200 MPa yield · 80 HB
- T7Choose for parts that must stay dimensionally stable at elevated temperature or need better toughness than T6.175 MPa yield · 62 HB
- T5Compromise temper: most of the T6 strength with better elongation and a shorter cycle.170 MPa yield · 68 HB
- T8Softened, maximum-stability condition for precision machined parts and hot-service components.140 MPa yield · 57 HB
- T4Best ductility/toughness combination — choose for impact-loaded or straightened castings.115 MPa yield · 55 HB
- FCheapest condition for low-stress housings and covers where dimensional stability after machining is not critical.90 MPa yield · 52 HB
- T2Pick when maximum dimensional stability and freedom from casting stress matter more than strength.80 MPa yield · 47 HB
Working with ZL101-T4
Is ZL101 easy to machine?
Machines easily in T5/T6 with polished-flute carbide or PCD tools, high speed and flood coolant; eutectic Si is abrasive and gummy in the F/T2 conditions, so avoid low speeds and dull edges.
Can ZL101 be welded?
Readily TIG/MIG welded with ER4043 (or ER4047 for crack-prone joints); weld before heat treatment and re-solution/age when full T6 properties are required across the weld.
Can ZL101 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity for sand, shell, plaster, low-pressure and gravity permanent-mould casting; degas, filter and Sr/Na-modify plus Ti-B refine, and design directional solidification with risers to avoid shrinkage porosity — solution treat at ~535 °C and quench in warm water.
What surface finishes work on ZL101?
Chromate/trivalent conversion coating or powder paint for general corrosion protection; hard anodize for wear, but expect a grey mottled anodic film and avoid bright decorative anodizing.
ZL101 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sieutectic former; Sr or Na modification refines it | 6.5 – 7.5 | 7 |
| MgMg2Si precipitation strengthening | 0.25 – 0.45 | 0.35 |
| Ti0.08–0.20 % specified for ZL101A (grain refinement) | ≤ 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Fe≤0.5 % for sand cast ZL101; ≤0.2 % for high-purity ZL101A | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Cuimpurity limit | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Mnimpurity limit | ≤ 0.35 | — |
| Znimpurity limit | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| others (each)total others ≤ 0.15 % | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
ZL101-T4 — frequently asked
What is ZL101-T4 used for?
ZL101-T4 is typically used for automotive road wheels, general-purpose sand and gravity castings, gearbox and pump housings, electric-motor and inverter housings, structural brackets and mounting bosses and intake manifolds and covers. In short: china GB Al-Si-Mg cast; A356 equivalent.
What is the yield strength of ZL101-T4?
ZL101-T4 has a typical yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) — weaker than 79% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is ZL101-T4 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades). Machines easily in T5/T6 with polished-flute carbide or PCD tools, high speed and flood coolant; eutectic Si is abrasive and gummy in the F/T2 conditions, so avoid low speeds and dull edges.
Can ZL101-T4 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Readily TIG/MIG welded with ER4043 (or ER4047 for crack-prone joints); weld before heat treatment and re-solution/age when full T6 properties are required across the weld.
What surface finishes work on ZL101-T4?
Chromate/trivalent conversion coating or powder paint for general corrosion protection; hard anodize for wear, but expect a grey mottled anodic film and avoid bright decorative anodizing.
Can ZL101-T4 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent fluidity for sand, shell, plaster, low-pressure and gravity permanent-mould casting; degas, filter and Sr/Na-modify plus Ti-B refine, and design directional solidification with risers to avoid shrinkage porosity — solution treat at ~535 °C and quench in warm water.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZL101-T4?
ZL101-T4 is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ZL101-T6 and ZL101-T2?
T6 is the default condition — default structural temper — highest strength and hardness for wheels, pump/valve bodies and load-bearing housings. T2: pick when maximum dimensional stability and freedom from casting stress matter more than strength. Yield strength is 200 MPa in T6 versus 80 MPa in T2.
Can FabDigit make parts in ZL101-T4?
Yes — ZL101-T4 is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys (A356) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 15 — Casting — ASM International (2008)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- ASTM B26 / B108 (A356 sand and permanent mould castings) — ASTM (2018)
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.