If you’ve ever tried to pick the right aluminum grade for casting, you know it’s not as simple as “just use aluminum.”
Choose the wrong alloy, and you’ll fight issues like poor fluidity, difetti di restringimento, leaks, or parts that crack under load. Choose the right one, and you get clean, dimensionally accurate castings with the strength, corrosion resistance, and cost balance your project actually needs.
In this guide, you’ll quickly learn:
- Why cast aluminum alloys (like A356, A380, ADC12) are completely different from wrought grades like 6061
- cURL Too many subrequests. leghe da fusione di alluminio work best for fusione a pressofusione, fusione a sabbia, e microfusione
- How to match proprietà meccaniche, castability, e trattamento termico options to your real-world application
If you’re serious about getting reliable, high-quality aluminum castings—without wasting money on the wrong alloy—you’re in the right place.
Understanding Aluminum Grades for Casting
When people search for an aluminum grade for casting, they’re usually asking a few core questions:
Will this alloy fill my mold properly? Will the part be strong enough? And can I machine or finish it without headaches?
In casting, “aluminum grade for casting” doesn’t just mean “any aluminum.” It means a specific alloy chemistry designed to flow into a mold, solidify without cracking, and deliver the right balance of strength, ductility, and machinability. That’s why foundries rely on dedicated leghe da fusione di alluminio like A380, A356, 319, and ADC12, instead of just melting whatever aluminum is on hand.
Cast vs Wrought Aluminum in Simple Terms
Think of aluminum in two families:
- Cast aluminum
- Designed to be poured into molds
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cURL Too many subrequests. cURL Too many subrequests., cURL Too many subrequests., e gravity casting aluminum alloy options that are each optimized for a specific process and application. Choosing the right aluminum grade for casting is really about matching this chemistry to your mold, your process, and your performance targets.
Aluminum Casting Alloy Numbering Basics
When you’re picking an aluminum grade for casting, the numbering system tells you exactly what you’re working with.
How cast aluminum alloy numbers (xxx.x) work
Cast aluminum alloys use a three-digit plus decimal format, like A380.0, 356.0, o 319.0:
- L' first digit = main alloy family (what element is added the most after aluminum).
- L' next two digits = specific alloy in that family.
- L' “.0” at the end = cURL Too many subrequests. alloy (vs “.1” or “.2” for ingot forms).
So when you see A380.0, you’re looking at a specific aluminum casting alloy, not a wrought grade like 6061.
What the 1xx–9xx casting series mean
For aluminum casting alloys, the first digit (1xx to 9xx) points to the main alloying element:
- 1xx.x – nearly pure aluminum (good conductivity, low strength)
- 2xx.x – aluminum–copper (high strength, lower corrosion resistance)
- 3xx.x – aluminum–silicon with copper and/or magnesium (A380, 319, 356 – most common casting alloys)
- 4xx.x – aluminum–silicon (great fluidity, good castability)
- 5xx.x – aluminum–magnesium (535 – high corrosion resistance, ductile)
- 6xx.x – aluminum–magnesium–silicon (rare in cast form)
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- AA cURL Too many subrequests. A380.0, 356.0, 319.0
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After the alloy, the temper is the next piece you need to nail down:
- F – As-cast, no specific heat treatment. Lowest cost, lowest control.
- T5 – Cooled from casting and artificially aged (no solution treatment). Good for die castings that need a bump in strength.
- T6 – Solution heat treated + quenched + artificially aged. Big jump in strength and hardness (common for A356-T6 wheels and structural parts).
- T7 – Over-aged / stabilized. Slightly lower strength than T6, but better stress corrosion e stabilità dimensionale, often used in high-temp or high-stress environments.
Same alloy, different temper = different performance and cost. When you define an aluminum grade for casting, you should always call out both the lega (e.g., A356.0) and the temper (e.g., T6) on your print and RFQs.
Aluminum Casting Processes and Matching Grades
When you’re choosing an aluminum grade for casting, the first decision is which casting process you’re actually going to run. The process locks in a lot of what you can and can’t do with alloy selection.
Main Aluminum Casting Methods (Quick View)
- Pressocolata ad alta pressione – Fast, high-volume, great for thin walls and complex shapes.
- Fusione in sabbia – Flexible, low tooling cost, ideal for larger parts and shorter runs.
- Gravity / permanent mold casting – Better surface and properties than sand, good repeatability.
- Fusione a investimento – Highest detail, tight tolerances, excellent surface finish, but higher cost.
Each process has “favorite” leghe da fusione di alluminio that flow well, fill the mold, and deliver the target strength and durability.
Die Casting Aluminum Grades and When to Use Them
Per pressure die casting alloys, I usually recommend:
- A380 / ADC12 – General-purpose workhorses for automotive, electronics, consumer housings.
- A383 / 413 – Better fluidity for thin walls and more complex, pressure-tight parts.
- A360 – When you need better corrosion resistance and sealing.
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- High volume and low part cost
- Thin walls and tight tolerances
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If you’re comparing processes and alloys for a new part, it also helps to review a broader cURL Too many subrequests. that covers properties and cost impacts across methods, like this overview of casting alloy types and applications.
Die casting aluminum grades that actually work
Die casting is where aluminum grades get picky. Not every aluminum alloy likes being shot into a steel die at high speed and high pressure, so choosing the right aluminum grade for casting is the difference between clean parts and constant scrap.
What makes an alloy good for die casting
A solid die casting alloy needs:
- High fluidity – to fill thin walls, ribs, and tight corners before it freezes
- Good pressure tightness – to avoid leaks in housings and hydraulic parts
- Low hot cracking & shrinkage – so parts don’t tear or distort as they cool
- Reasonable die soldering resistance – less aluminum sticking to the steel die
- Decent machinability – because most parts still need drilling, tapping, or milling
That’s why silicon-rich casting alloys dominate pressure die casting instead of common wrought grades.
Most used die casting aluminum grades
In the U.S. and across most high-volume production, these cURL Too many subrequests. are the workhorses:
- A380 – The default choice. Great balance of strength, fluidity, and cost.
- A383 (also similar to EN AC-46000) – Better fluidity for thin walls, slightly lower strength.
- ADC12 – The go-to grade in Asia, very close to A383, strong and easy to cast.
- 413/A413 – Excellent pressure tightness and castability, used in leak-critical parts.
We run these alloys regularly in our own aluminum casting lines, and they cover 90%+ of typical U.S. industrial, automotive, and consumer projects. If you’re comparing alloys or looking for part production, you can check our gamma di prodotti in lega di alluminio or full-scale casting manufacturing services.
A380 vs A383 vs ADC12 – which to pick?
Use this as a quick rule of thumb:
- Choose A380 if:
- You want a general-purpose, proven alloy
- Parts have normal wall thickness and moderate strength needs
- Cost and availability matter most in North America
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- 319 aluminum – Very machinable, good thermal conductivity, solid strength with heat treatment. Common in engine blocks and cylinder heads.
- cURL Too many subrequests. – Magnesium aluminum alloy with high ductility and impact resistance without heat treatment. Excellent for marine hardware and shock-loaded components.
These grades are the sweet spot when you want reliable mechanical performance from sand or gravity casting aluminum without crazy process control costs.
How mold type affects alloy choice
Mold type changes cooling speed and defect risk, so it directly affects which aluminum grade for casting makes sense:
- Sabbia verde – Slower cooling, higher gas risk → use A356, 319, 535 that handle porosity and shrinkage better.
- No-bake / resin sand – Better dimensional control → good for A356 T6 where you need higher strength.
- cURL Too many subrequests. – Faster cooling than sand → alloys like 356/A356 deliver tighter grain structure and higher mechanical properties.
Always match the alloy to your mold: faster-cooling molds allow stronger tempers and thinner sections, slower-cooling molds need alloys that stay forgiving.
Common issues in sand cast aluminum (and how alloy fixes them)
With sand and gravity castings, most headaches come from:
- cURL Too many subrequests. – Alloys like A356 and 319 feed better and reduce shrink porosity when gated correctly.
- cURL Too many subrequests. – High-silicon cast alloys relieve stress during solidification and cut cracking risk.
- Weak edges or corners – A356 T6 in permanent mold can boost edge strength and elongation versus basic cast grades.
- Corrosion in marine or outdoor use – 535 and A356 offer better corrosion resistance than some copper-heavy alloys.
If you’re not sure which lega di fusione di alluminio to pick for your sand or gravity casting, start by defining: required strength, section thickness, machining needs, and environment (heat, salt, vibration). Then select from 356/A356, 319, or 535 based on which tradeoffs matter most for your part.
Popular Aluminum Grades for Casting and Their Uses
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- cURL Too many subrequests.: often EN AC-Al Si9Cu3(Fe) or similar equivalents
If you’re sourcing globally, always match chemical spec sheets between these names, not just the shorthand alloy label.
A356 and 356 Casting Grades
Raw vs heat treated A356 (T4, T6)
A356 can be:
- As-cast / F: good castability, moderate strength
- T4: solution treated + naturally aged, better ductility
- T6: solution treated + artificially aged, high strength and stiffness
Strength, ductility, and weldability of A356
A356 T6 delivers:
- High tensile and yield strength
- Good ductility for safety-critical parts
- Strong weldability vs most die-cast alloys
Where A356 shines: wheels, structural parts, aerospace castings
I use A356 for:
- Automotive wheels and suspension components
- Structural housings and brackets where failure is not an option
- Aerospace castings (with strict process control and certification)
A360 Aluminum Alloy
Corrosion resistance and pressure tightness of A360
A360 offers:
- Better corrosion resistance than A380 in many environments
- Improved pressure tightness, ideal for fluid or sealed parts
- Good castability with fine detail
Best fits for A360 (marine, sealed housings, complex shapes)
Solid picks for:
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- High-pressure die castings where porosity is a major concern
Balancing brittleness risk vs pressure performance
Downside: higher silicon can increase brittleness. Use 413/A413 when:
- Pressure-tightness > ductility
- Parts aren’t expected to take big impacts or bending loads
535 (Almag 35) Magnesium Aluminum
High strength without heat treating in 535
535 (often called Almag 35) is a magnesium aluminum casting alloy that delivers:
- Alta resistenza e tenacità right out of the mold
- No mandatory heat treatment, which cuts lead time and cost
Ductility and impact resistance benefits
It stands out for:
- Excellent ductility
- Forte impact resistance
- Good corrosion resistance, especially with proper finishing
Marine and shock-loaded parts with 535
Good fit for:
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- Shock-loaded parts like steering arms, mounts, and guards
- Safety-related parts where cracking is not acceptable
390 and B390 High Silicon Alloys
Wear resistance and high temperature performance of 390/B390
390 and B390 are very high silicon aluminum casting alloys built for:
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- Strong performance at temperature elevate
- Stable dimensions over long, hot service cycles
Why pistons and sliding surfaces use B390
You’ll see these alloys in:
- Pistons
- Cylinder liners, sliding or reciprocating components
- High-mileage automotive engine parts
Machinability tradeoffs with very high silicon alloys
The tradeoff:
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| Leghe | Processo | cURL Too many subrequests. | cURL Too many subrequests. | Corrosione | cURL Too many subrequests. | Lavorabilità |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A380 | Colata in pressofusione | Medio | Basso | Medio | Alto | Medio |
| cURL Too many subrequests. | Colata in pressofusione | Medio | Basso | Medio | Molto alto | Medio |
| A356 T6 | cURL Too many subrequests. | Alto | Medio | Buono | Buono | Buono |
| A360 | Colata in pressofusione | Medio | Basso–Medio | Buono | Alto | Medio |
| 319 | cURL Too many subrequests. | Medio | Medio | Medio | Buono | Buono |
| 413 | Colata in pressofusione | Medio | Basso | Medio | Molto alto | cURL Too many subrequests. |
| 535 | cURL Too many subrequests. | Medio–Alto | Alto | Buono | Medio | Buono |
| cURL Too many subrequests. | cURL Too many subrequests. | Alto | cURL Too many subrequests. | Medio | Medio | Scarso |
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Ask yourself:
- Is the part structural or mostly cosmetic?
- Static load or impact/shock?
- Safety‑critical or non‑critical?
Guida rapida:
| Necessità | Better aluminum casting alloys |
|---|---|
| High strength + ductility | A356-T6, 319-T6, 535 (no heat treat) |
| Medium strength, general | A380, A383, ADC12 |
| Wear + high temp | 390, B390 |
If you need specific numbers (tensile, yield, elongation), match your required values with a proper aluminum alloy comparison chart or mechanical data sheet before you lock in a grade. For deeper background on strength levels you can also look at general resources on yield strength in aluminum.
2. Match alloy to casting process
Not every aluminum grade for casting works in every process.
| Processo | Typical best-fit grades | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Colata in pressofusione | A380, A383, ADC12, 413, A413 | Thin walls, high volumes, some porosity |
| Fusione in sabbia | 356, A356, 319, 535, 390 | Lower tooling cost, thicker sections |
| Gravity/permanent | 356, A356, 319, A360 | Better surface + properties than sand |
| Fusione a investimento | 356, A356, 319 | High detail, smaller parts, higher cost |
If you already know you’re locked into processo di pressofusione ad alta pressione, that instantly rules out a lot of sand‑cast‑only alloys.
3. Fluidity, feeding, and shrinkage
Good aluminum casting alloys must fill the mold and solidify without major defects.
- Thin‑wall + complex features: A380, A383, ADC12, 413.
- Thicker sections + lower defect risk: A356, 319, 535.
- High shrinkage risk areas: Avoid very low‑ductility, high‑Si grades unless the foundry has strong process control.
Work with a foundry that understands feeding and gating; the same alloy can behave very differently in the hands of an average shop vs. an excellent one.
4. Corrosion, temperature, and environment
Environment can kill a “good on paper” alloy choice.
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- Forgetting about machining or welding until after the alloy is locked in.
- Assuming all foundries can hit the same properties with the same alloy – process control matters as much as the grade name.
If you’re unsure between two aluminum casting alloys, involve your foundry early, share your load cases and environment, and have them quote both options with realistic property targets.
Heat Treatment of Aluminum Casting Alloys
When you’re picking an aluminum grade for casting, heat treatment is a big lever for dialing in strength, ductility, and stability. But it only pays off if the alloy is designed to respond.
What T4, T5, T6, and T7 Really Mean
For aluminum casting alloys, these temper codes are shorthand for how the metal was processed after casting:
- T4 – Solution heat treated and naturally aged
- Better ductility and moderate strength
- Common when you need forming or good impact resistance
- T5 – Cooled from casting and artificially aged
- Used mostly in pressure die casting alloys
- Fast cycle, moderate strength, good dimensional stability
- T6 – Solution heat treated and artificially aged
- Most common for structural castings
- Big jump in tensile strength and yield strength
- Typical for A356 and 319 when you want high strength and stiffness
- T7 – Solution heat treated and over-aged/stabilized
- Slightly lower strength than T6
- Better dimension stability, creep resistance, e stress-corrosion performance
- Used in high-temp or long-life parts (like some engine and high-silicon aluminum casting alloys)
Which Aluminum Casting Alloys Benefit the Most
Some aluminum casting alloys respond extremely well to heat treatment, while others barely move:
- A356 / 356
- Exceptional response to T6
- A356-T6 is a go-to for wheels, suspension, and aerospace castings
- Strong, relatively ductile, and weldable
- 319
- Widely used in engine blocks and cylinder heads
- T6/T7 improve strength and thermal fatigue performance
- Good balance of strength, machinability, and thermal conductivity
- 390 / B390 (high silicon alloys)
- Can be heat treated, but gains are more targeted
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- Thin walls and long sections can move during solution heat treatment or quenching
- This kills dimensional accuracy and drives up machining scrap
- Over-aging (especially in T7 or poor T6 control)
- If aged too hot or too long, strength drops and hardness falls off
- You end up with a softer part than you paid for
- Cracking & residual stress
- Rapid quenching or bad fixturing can introduce high internal stresses
- Visible cracks or microcracks that show up later under load
For US customers running production, I always recommend:
- Get a clear heat treat spec from your foundry (temper, time, and temperature)
- Confirm with mechanical testing on first articles, not just chemistry
- Build your machining plan around the post–heat treat condition, not before
If you pick the right aluminum grade for casting and pair it with the right heat treatment, you can hit automotive- and aerospace-level performance without overbuilding or overspending.
Real-World Uses of Aluminum Grades for Casting
Automotive Aluminum Castings (A380, 319, 390, A383)
In the U.S. auto market, aluminum casting alloys are all about balancing cost, reliability, and weight.
- Engine blocks, heads, and housings
- A380 is the go-to aluminum grade for casting transmission cases, pump housings, brackets, and general housings because it’s cheap, very castable, and has solid strength.
- 319 is common for engine blocks and cylinder heads where you need better thermal stability and machinability.
- cURL Too many subrequests. shows up in high-wear, high-temperature areas like pistons and some performance engine parts thanks to its very high silicon and wear resistance.
- Transmission and drivetrain parts
- A380 is still the workhorse for automatic transmission cases, torque converter housings, and gear housings.
- A383 (and ADC12) are used when you need better fluidity and thin-wall filling, like complex automatic transmission bodies and tight, detailed drivetrain housings.
Aerospace & High-Performance Cast Aluminum (A356 T6)
For aerospace and performance parts in the U.S., the conversation usually shifts to A356 in T6 temper.
- Structural and suspension components
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- Lightweighting for EVs and high-efficiency vehicles
- EV platforms are pushing large structural castings, battery housings, and motor housings made with A356, A380, A383, and advanced proprietary grades.
- The goal is simple: reduce weight, maintain crash performance, and keep casting costs under control, using the right aluminum grade for casting matched to each component’s job.
Working With Aluminum Foundries and Suppliers
When you’re picking an aluminum grade for casting, the foundry you work with matters just as much as the alloy spec on paper. In the U.S. market especially, consistency, traceability, and real-world casting experience are what keep parts on time and in tolerance.
Why foundry experience matters
Two foundries can pour the same aluminum casting alloy and give you totally different results. I always look for:
- Process experience with your alloy and process (A380 die casting, A356 sand casting, etc.)
- Proven capability in your part size and complexity (thin walls, pressure-tight housings, cosmetic surfaces)
- Documented scrap and defect rates for similar aluminum castings
If a foundry can show repeatable results with your target aluminum grade for casting, you’re already ahead.
How to talk spec sheets with your aluminum caster
Keep the conversation simple but specific:
- Share 2–3 critical properties: strength, leak tightness, corrosion resistance, or machinability
- Call out the casting process you expect: die casting, sand casting, gravity, or investment
- Reference standard specs: AA or ASTM numbers for aluminum casting alloys, plus any heat treatment (T5, T6, T7)
Then ask the caster, “What aluminum grade and process would you choose for this part?” Their answer tells you a lot.
What to ask about certificates and testing
Before you lock in an alloy and a supplier, I always ask for:
- Material certificates (mill certs) showing chemistry for each aluminum casting alloy heat
- Mechanical test data (tensile, yield, elongation, hardness) from recent production runs
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- Usa leghe da fusione like A356, 356, 319, or A380 that are engineered for molds, shrinkage, and feeding.
If you absolutely need “6061-like” properties, talk with your foundry about A356-T6 or similar high-strength casting aluminum instead.
Best aluminum grade for corrosion resistance in cast parts
For cast aluminum that has to live in tough environments (salt, water, outdoors), I usually look at:
| Leghe | Tipo | Corrosion Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A360 | Colata in pressofusione | Very good corrosion & pressure tightness |
| cURL Too many subrequests. | Sand/gravity | Excellent corrosion + ductility, no heat treat |
| A356-T6 | Sand/permanent mold | Good corrosion when properly treated & painted |
Per marine or coastal use, A360 or 535 are hard to beat.
Which aluminum casting grade is easiest to machine?
If machining cost matters, pick alloys designed for clean chips and stable cutting:
| Leghe | Processo | Machinability (relative) |
|---|---|---|
| A380 | Colata in pressofusione | Molto buono |
| ADC12 | Colata in pressofusione | Molto buono |
| 319 | Sand/gravity | Molto buono |
| A356-T6 | Sand/gravity/permanent mold | Good (slightly “gummier” than 319/A380) |
For complex CNC work, I often lean toward A380 or 319 for smoother machining and better tool life, similar to how we approach precision CNC machining of non-ferrous alloys.
Differences between A356 and A380 in plain language
Think of it like this:
| Caratteristica | A356 (A356-T6) | A380 |
|---|---|---|
| Main process | Sand / permanent mold | Pressocolata ad alta pressione |
| Resistenza | Higher (with T6 heat treat) | Moderato |
| Duttilità | Better (less brittle) | Più basso |
| Flessibilità di saldatura | Buono | Scarso |
| Corrosione | Buono | Good with proper finish |
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