Aluminum ZL102 · heat-treated state
Aluminum ZL102-T2
Properties of the T2 condition, compared with the other ZL102 tempers.
Pick when dimensional stability and maximum ductility matter more than strength (thin, machined or pressure-tight parts).
What is ZL102-T2?
ZL102-T2 is ZL102 heat treated to T2 — pick when dimensional stability and maximum ductility matter more than strength (thin, machined or pressure-tight parts). ZL102-T2 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi). ZL102-T2 has a density of 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F). F is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T2 is available on request or by drawing note.
Limitations
- Low strength — 70 MPa (10.2 ksi), worse than 92% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 90% of aluminum grades
- Low fracture toughness — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), worse than 83% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 42/100, worse than 77% of aluminum grades
ZL102-T2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL102-T2 — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every ZL102 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
ZL102-T2 has a density of 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F).
Mechanical13
ZL102-T2 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
ZL102-T2 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 20.5 µm/m·K (11.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZL102-T2 conducts electricity at 33 % IACS, worse than 57% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), better than 63% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZL102-T2 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 11.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability8
ZL102-T2's machinability is fair (42/100, worse than 77% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100); 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.
Other ZL102 tempers and conditions
ZL102 is also supplied in 1 other condition. The full side-by-side table is on the ZL102 overview.
- FDefaultStandard supply condition for sand, permanent-mould, shell and investment castings after Na/Sr modification.80 MPa yield · 55 HB
- T2Pick when dimensional stability and maximum ductility matter more than strength (thin, machined or pressure-tight parts).70 MPa yield · 52 HB
Working with ZL102-T2
Is ZL102 easy to machine?
Use PCD or polished carbide tooling with high speed and generous coolant; eutectic Si is abrasive and steel HSS wears fast.
Can ZL102 be welded?
Readily TIG/MIG welded with ER4047 or ER4043 filler; preheat 100–200 °C on heavy sections and expect loss of any cold work only, no post-weld heat treatment needed.
Can ZL102 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — excellent fluidity fills 2–3 mm walls, narrow freezing range gives low hot-tearing risk; modify with Na/Sr and degas the melt to avoid gas porosity.
What surface finishes work on ZL102?
Chromate/chemical conversion coating, powder paint or hard (functional) anodize; decorative bright anodizing is not usable because high Si darkens the film.
ZL102 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; Na or Sr modified | 10 – 13 | 11.5 |
| Fe≤0.7 for sand casting, ≤1.0 for permanent-mould casting | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Cuimpurity | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Mnimpurity | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Mgimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Znimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Tigrain refiner residual | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| other, each | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| other, totaltotal impurities | ≤ 2 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
ZL102-T2 — frequently asked
What is ZL102-T2 used for?
ZL102-T2 is typically used for pressure die castings, marine castings, thin-wall pump and motor housings, pressure-tight valve and manifold bodies, gearbox and cover castings and electrical enclosures. In short: china GB eutectic Al-Si; die-cast friendly.
What is the yield strength of ZL102-T2?
ZL102-T2 has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is ZL102-T2 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, worse than 77% of aluminum grades). Use PCD or polished carbide tooling with high speed and generous coolant; eutectic Si is abrasive and steel HSS wears fast.
Can ZL102-T2 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Readily TIG/MIG welded with ER4047 or ER4043 filler; preheat 100–200 °C on heavy sections and expect loss of any cold work only, no post-weld heat treatment needed.
What surface finishes work on ZL102-T2?
Chromate/chemical conversion coating, powder paint or hard (functional) anodize; decorative bright anodizing is not usable because high Si darkens the film.
Can ZL102-T2 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting alloy only — excellent fluidity fills 2–3 mm walls, narrow freezing range gives low hot-tearing risk; modify with Na/Sr and degas the melt to avoid gas porosity.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZL102-T2?
ZL102-T2 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 ZL102-F and ZL102-T2?
F is the default condition — standard supply condition for sand, permanent-mould, shell and investment castings after Na/Sr modification. T2: pick when dimensional stability and maximum ductility matter more than strength (thin, machined or pressure-tight parts). Yield strength is 80 MPa in F versus 70 MPa in T2.
Can FabDigit make parts in ZL102-T2?
Yes — ZL102-T2 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 and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys (413.0 / A413.0 / 443.0) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B: Corrosion — Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.