Aluminum ZL301 · temper
Aluminum ZL301-T4
Properties of the T4 condition, compared with the other ZL301 tempers.
The only temper registered for ZL301 in GB/T 1173 and the standard supply condition — use it for marine hardware and high-toughness structural sand/permanent-mould castings.
What is ZL301-T4?
ZL301-T4 is ZL301 in the T4 temper — the only temper registered for ZL301 in GB/T 1173 and the standard supply condition — use it for marine hardware and high-toughness structural sand/permanent-mould castings. ZL301-T4 has a yield strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — weaker than 63% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 68 GPa (9.86 Msi). ZL301-T4 has a density of 2.57 g/cm³ (0.0928 lb/in³), lighter than 99% of aluminum grades. It melts at 450°C (842 °F). F is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T4 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 83% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 87 W/m·K (50.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 21 % IACS, worse than 99% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades
ZL301-T4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZL301-T4 — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every ZL301 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
ZL301-T4 has a density of 2.57 g/cm³ (0.0928 lb/in³), lighter than 99% of aluminum grades. It melts at 450°C (842 °F).
Mechanical12
ZL301-T4 has a yield strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — weaker than 63% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 68 GPa (9.86 Msi).
Thermal6
ZL301-T4 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 87 W/m·K (50.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 25.2 µm/m·K (14 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZL301-T4 conducts electricity at 21 % IACS, worse than 99% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZL301-T4 takes about 195 MJ of energy and emits 13.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 86% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability8
ZL301-T4's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (45/100); 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 ZL301 tempers and conditions
ZL301 is also supplied in 1 other condition. The full side-by-side table is on the ZL301 overview.
- FDefaultPick only for non-structural or trial castings — as-cast Al-10Mg is brittle because of the Mg₅Al₈ network at the grain boundaries.110 MPa yield · 55 HB
- T4The only temper registered for ZL301 in GB/T 1173 and the standard supply condition — use it for marine hardware and high-toughness structural sand/permanent-mould castings.155 MPa yield · 65 HB
Working with ZL301-T4
Is ZL301 easy to machine?
Machines very freely with sharp polished-flute tools, high speed and light feeds; use kerosene/emulsion coolant and beware of gummy chips and Mg dust fire risk when dry grinding.
Can ZL301 be welded?
TIG/MIG repair with ER5356 (Al-5Mg) filler only; preheat lightly, keep heat input low and re-solution treat where full properties are needed — the high-Mg matrix is oxide- and hot-crack sensitive.
Can ZL301 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand and permanent-mould casting only (not for die casting or pressure-tight parts); needs dry, well-vented moulds, a protective flux/cover gas over the melt, chills for feeding and a long high-temperature solution soak followed by natural ageing.
What surface finishes work on ZL301?
Responds well to clear and hard-coat anodizing and to chemical brightening; chromate/trivalent conversion coating plus epoxy primer is preferred for marine paint systems.
ZL301 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mgprincipal alloying element | 9.5 – 11 | 10.2 |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Feimpurity limit (sand casting) | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Cuimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Mnimpurity limit | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Znimpurity limit | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Tigrain refiner / impurity | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Beoptional melt-oxidation inhibitor where permitted | ≤ 0.07 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
ZL301-T4 — frequently asked
What is ZL301-T4 used for?
ZL301-T4 is typically used for marine castings, naval components, deck and hull fittings, decorative and architectural castings, anodized instrument housings and pump and valve bodies for seawater service. In short: china GB Al-Mg cast; corrosion-resistant.
What is the yield strength of ZL301-T4?
ZL301-T4 has a typical yield strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — weaker than 63% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is ZL301-T4 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades). Machines very freely with sharp polished-flute tools, high speed and light feeds; use kerosene/emulsion coolant and beware of gummy chips and Mg dust fire risk when dry grinding.
Can ZL301-T4 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). TIG/MIG repair with ER5356 (Al-5Mg) filler only; preheat lightly, keep heat input low and re-solution treat where full properties are needed — the high-Mg matrix is oxide- and hot-crack sensitive.
What surface finishes work on ZL301-T4?
Responds well to clear and hard-coat anodizing and to chemical brightening; chromate/trivalent conversion coating plus epoxy primer is preferred for marine paint systems.
Can ZL301-T4 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand and permanent-mould casting only (not for die casting or pressure-tight parts); needs dry, well-vented moulds, a protective flux/cover gas over the melt, chills for feeding and a long high-temperature solution soak followed by natural ageing.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZL301-T4?
ZL301-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 ZL301-F and ZL301-T4?
F is the default condition — pick only for non-structural or trial castings — as-cast Al-10Mg is brittle because of the Mg₅Al₈ network at the grain boundaries. T4: the only temper registered for ZL301 in GB/T 1173 and the standard supply condition — use it for marine hardware and high-toughness structural sand/permanent-mould castings. Yield strength is 110 MPa in F versus 155 MPa in T4.
Can FabDigit make parts in ZL301-T4?
Yes — ZL301-T4 is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- GB/T 1173 (Cast aluminium alloys) (2013)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (520.0 data) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys — ASM International (1993)
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.