A356-T6 Aluminum Alloy Specifications Strength and Applications

Discover A356-T6 aluminum alloy’s chemical composition, mechanical strength, and applications for aerospace automotive and industrial uses.

Product Overview of A356-T6 Aluminum Casting

A356-T6 is a versatile, heat-treated aluminum casting alloy known for its excellent balance of high strength, corrosion resistance, and superior castability. This aluminum silicon magnesium alloy offers durability and performance ideal for demanding applications. At Vastmaterial, we produce A356-T6 castings that strictly comply with ASTM B108 standards, ensuring consistent quality and reliability. Our ASTM-compliant manufacturing process supports critical industries such as aerospace, automotive, and marine, where lightweight and fatigue-resistant materials are essential. Whether for structural components or complex shapes, Vastmaterial’s A356-T6 delivers outstanding performance tailored to your project’s needs.

Chemical Composition of A356-T6

A356-T6 aluminum casting alloy follows strict ASTM B108 standards to ensure consistent quality. It mainly contains:

• Aluminum (base metal) – about 92% or more
• Silicon (Si) – roughly 6.5% to 7.5%, which boosts castability and wear resistance
• Magnesium (Mg) – around 0.25% to 0.45%, adding strength and helping with the T6 heat treatment
• Iron (Fe) – kept low, generally under 0.2%, to avoid brittleness
• Copper (Cu) – minimal, around 0.1% max, to improve strength without sacrificing corrosion resistance
• Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Titanium (Ti) – present in trace amounts to refine grain structure and enhance mechanical properties
• Impurities – tightly controlled to very low levels, ensuring excellent ductility and fatigue resistance

This balanced mix means A356-T6 delivers strong, fatigue-resistant parts with top-notch durability, making it a preferred aluminum silicon magnesium alloy for applications where reliability matters.

Mechanical Properties of A356-T6

A356-T6 aluminum casting offers solid mechanical properties that make it a go-to choice for many industries. Here’s what you can expect from this heat-treated alloy:

• Tensile Strength: Typically around 30,000 to 35,000 psi, giving it good resistance under pulling forces.
• Yield Strength: About 25,000 psi, which means it holds up well before permanently deforming.
• Elongation: Usually between 6% and 12%, depending on the casting method, showing decent ductility for forming or bending.
• Hardness: Ranges from 90 to 110 Brinell hardness number (BHN), balancing strength and surface wear resistance.
• Shear Strength: Approximately 20,000 psi, helping with resistance against sliding or cutting forces.
• Fatigue Strength: Known for excellent fatigue resistance, especially important for parts facing repeated stress over time.

Keep in mind that these values can vary a bit based on how the casting is made (sand casting, die casting, or investment casting). Each method influences the final microstructure, affecting strength and toughness slightly. Overall, A356-T6’s mechanical profile suits applications where strength and durability are critical without adding much extra weight.

Physical Properties of A356-T6

A356-T6 aluminum casting alloy stands out with its lightweight design, making it a top choice for industries where weight matters. Its density is around 2.68 g/cm³ (about 0.097 lb/in³), which helps reduce overall component weight without sacrificing strength.

This alloy melts between roughly 1110°F to 1200°F (600°C to 650°C), allowing for flexible casting options like sand and investment casting while maintaining great quality.

When it comes to thermal performance, A356-T6 offers solid thermal conductivity, typically around 120 W/m·K, making it efficient for heat dissipation in automotive and aerospace parts. It also provides decent electrical conductivity—about 40% that of pure copper—which works well in applications needing moderate electrical performance.

The coefficient of thermal expansion sits near 22.5 x 10⁻⁶ /°C (12.5 x 10⁻⁶ /°F), meaning the alloy expands moderately with temperature changes. This property helps in maintaining tight dimensional tolerances in parts exposed to heat.

In short, the physical properties of A356-T6 deliver a great balance of lightweight construction and thermal efficiency—key benefits for aerospace, automotive, and marine components aiming for durability and performance.

Heat Treatment and Processing of A356-T6

A356-T6 gets its strength and durability from the T6 heat treatment. This means the alloy goes through a solution heat treat, where it’s heated to a high temperature to dissolve alloying elements, then rapidly cooled (quenched) to lock them in. After that, it’s aged naturally or artificially to achieve the final mechanical properties.

When it comes to casting, Vastmaterial works with multiple methods to fit your needs:

• Sand casting – great for larger or more complex shapes with a cost-effective process.
• Die casting – offers excellent surface finish and tighter tolerances, ideal for higher-volume runs.
• Investment casting – perfect for intricate designs requiring precision and smooth details.

Post-casting, we handle all the finishing work in-house, including machining to tight specs and surface treatments to improve appearance or corrosion resistance. This full control means better quality and faster turnaround times for your A356-T6 aluminum parts.

Applications and Case Studies

A356-T6 aluminum casting is a go-to choice across aerospace, automotive, marine, and industrial sectors here in the U.S. Its strong combination of lightweight, corrosion resistance, and fatigue strength makes it ideal for parts that need to perform under pressure without adding extra weight.

• Aerospace: Used for structural components like brackets and housings where reducing weight improves fuel efficiency.
• Automotive: Popular in engine parts, wheels, and transmission cases to boost vehicle performance and durability.
• Marine: Ideal for corrosion-resistant boat fittings and engine parts exposed to salty environments.
• Industrial: Suited for precision machine components that demand strength and wear resistance.

Vastmaterial Case Study: Weight Reduction in Automotive Components

At Vastmaterial, we helped a leading automotive manufacturer cut weight by 15% on their transmission housings using A356-T6 castings. By switching from 6061-T6 aluminum and optimizing the casting design, the parts kept their strength and durability while reducing overall vehicle weight. This led to better fuel efficiency and lower emissions, meeting the customer’s performance and sustainability goals.

Through careful control of the casting process and post-machining, we ensured top-quality, defect-free components. This case highlights why U.S. manufacturers trust A356-T6 for high-performance, lightweight parts in critical applications.

Standards and Certifications for A356-T6

When it comes to quality and reliability, A356-T6 from Vastmaterial meets the highest standards. Our aluminum castings comply with ASTM B108, AMS 4045, and UNS A03560 specifications, ensuring they’re fit for critical applications in aerospace, automotive, and marine industries.

We back our process with strict quality management systems, holding ISO 9001 and AS9100 certifications. These certifications guarantee consistent production, rigorous testing, and traceability throughout every step. This means you get A356-T6 aluminum castings that perform safely and reliably, meeting the tough demands of U.S. manufacturers and engineers.

Advantages Over Alternatives

When comparing A356-T6 to alloys like 6061-T6 and 356.0, several key advantages stand out, especially for casting applications common in U.S. industries.

• Castability: A356-T6 shines in castability. Unlike 6061-T6, which is primarily wrought aluminum and harder to cast, A356-T6 is designed for excellent flow and solidification in both sand and investment casting. This means fewer defects and better detail in complex shapes.
• Strength: While 6061-T6 offers good strength in wrought form, A356-T6 provides comparable tensile strength tailored for castings. It often outperforms 356.0 due to tighter impurity control and improved heat treatment, giving you more reliable mechanical performance.
• Corrosion Resistance: A356-T6 offers superior corrosion resistance, especially in marine and automotive environments. It holds up better over time compared to 6061-T6 when exposed to harsh conditions, thanks to its well-balanced silicon and magnesium content.
• Impurity Control: ASTM B108 sets strict limits on impurities in A356-T6. This tighter control means less iron and other unwanted elements, leading to better ductility and fatigue resistance. That’s crucial for parts that face stress and vibration regularly.

Overall, A356-T6 offers a balanced mix of castability, strength, and durability, making it a top choice for aerospace, automotive, and marine applications where performance and reliability are non-negotiable.

Quality Assurance and Testing for A356-T6

At Vastmaterial, quality is a top priority for every batch of A356-T6 aluminum casting we produce. We rely on proven non-destructive testing (NDT) methods to make sure each part meets strict performance and safety standards. Here’s what we use:

• Radiography (X-ray inspection): Detects internal defects like porosity or cracks without damaging the part.
• Dye Penetrant Testing: Helps find surface cracks or flaws invisible to the naked eye.
• Tensile Sampling: We test samples to verify strength, yield, and elongation match ASTM B108 and customer specs.

Thanks to these controls, Vastmaterial maintains a low defect rate, ensuring our A356-T6 castings deliver consistent reliability. This attention to detail makes our aluminum parts trusted in demanding aerospace, automotive, and marine applications across the U.S. market.

Ordering and Customization of A356-T6

When you’re ready to order A356-T6 aluminum castings, we make the process straightforward and flexible to fit your exact needs. Here’s what you can expect:

• Order Forms and RFQ: Simply fill out our Request for Quote (RFQ) with details like alloy temper (A356-T6), quantity, and any specific requirements. This speeds up getting you an accurate quote.
• Minimum Order Quantities (MOQ): We offer competitive MOQs to suit both small prototype runs and large production batches. Just ask—we’ll work with your project size.
• Lead Times: Lead times vary depending on order volume and casting method (sand, die, or investment casting). We typically provide clear timelines upfront to keep your schedule on track.
• Customization Options: Tell us about your specs—surface finish, mechanical property targets, post-processing needs, or special heat treatment requests. We handle it all in-house, making sure your A356-T6 parts are exactly what you need.

Partner with us for reliable, quick, and fully customizable A356-T6 orders tailored for aerospace, automotive, marine, or industrial applications across the U.S.

FAQs About A356-T6

Here are some common questions we get about A356-T6 aluminum casting to help you understand its practical use better.

Is A356-T6 easy to weld?

A356-T6 isn’t known for easy welding due to its silicon content. It can crack if not handled right. Usually, welding isn’t the best option unless you have the right prep and post-weld heat treatment. For most applications, machining or joining with fasteners works better.

Can I recycle A356-T6 aluminum?

Yes! A356-T6 is fully recyclable. Its chemical makeup makes it easy to remelt and reuse without losing strength or corrosion resistance. This makes it a smart, sustainable choice for industry.

How does A356-T6 hold up against corrosion?

It resists corrosion well, especially when exposed to salt air or moisture. This makes it popular in marine and automotive uses where weather resistance matters.

What about fatigue resistance?

A356-T6 has good fatigue strength, meaning it can handle repeated stress and vibration over time without failing. This is why it’s favored in aerospace and automotive parts that see constant movement.

Can I machine or finish A356-T6 easily?

Absolutely. Thanks to its good castability and T6 heat treatment, it machines smoothly and holds tight tolerances in finishing processes like grinding or anodizing.

What casting methods are available?

You can get A356-T6 through sand casting, die casting, or investment casting, depending on your design and volume needs. Vastmaterial offers in-house processing for all these methods.

If you have more specific questions, our team is ready to help guide your A356-T6 project from start to finish.

Contact and Resources for A356-T6 Aluminum Casting

If you need more details or want to place an order for A356-T6 aluminum casting, our sales team is ready to help. You can reach us by phone or email to discuss your project, get quotes, or ask about custom options tailored to your needs.

• Sales Contact:
  Phone: 0086-546-8781583
  Email: precisionmetal@vast-cast.com

We also offer a free, downloadable A356-T6 datasheet packed with specs, mechanical properties, and processing info to help you make informed decisions.

Plus, visit our CAD library online to get ready-to-use 3D models for your design and engineering projects — saving you time and effort during development.

For fast, reliable, and compliant A356-T6 aluminum solutions in aerospace, automotive, marine, or industrial uses, Vastmaterial is your trusted supplier in the United States.