A383 aluminum is a die-cast alloy known for its excellent mechanical strength, good corrosion resistance, and ease of manufacturing. This alloy is commonly used in industries such as automotive, electronics, and consumer goods, where durable and precision-cast components are essential. Its balanced characteristics make it an ideal choice for efficiently producing complex and high-quality parts.
Choosing the appropriate aluminum alloy for your project is crucial to ensure the durability and performance of the product.
A383 aluminum has a range of unique properties that can help you tackle specific manufacturing challenges, from achieving strict tolerances in complex designs to ensuring longevity in harsh environments.
This guide will comprehensively introduce A383 aluminum material to help you decide whether this material is needed for your next project.
A383 Aluminum Composition
The composition of A383 aluminum has been carefully designed to maximize its performance in die casting applications.
The high silicon content is particularly beneficial for reducing casting defects such as shrinkage, while copper and zinc improve mechanical properties. The specific elements include:
● Aluminum (Al): 82-86%
● Silicon (Si): 9.5-11.5%
● Copper (Cu): 2-3%
● Iron (Fe): 1-2%
● Zinc (Zn): 2-3%
● Magnesium (Mg): 0.10%
● Nickel (Ni): 0.50%
● Tin (Sn): 0.15%
● Manganese (Mn): 0.35%
● Titanium (Ti): 0.20%
A383 Aluminum Mechanical Properties
The properties listed in the table below collectively make A383 aluminum a multifunctional alloy, capable of producing components that are sturdy, durable, and resistant to various environmental factors. That’s why A383 has become the preferred choice for various industries.
Mechanical Properties |
Values |
Tensile Strength |
290 – 330 Mpa |
Yield Strength |
150 – 180 Mpa |
Elongation |
3 – 4% |
Hardness |
85 – 95 HB |
A383 Aluminum Advantages
A383 aluminum comes with the following advantages that enable it to achieve an excellent balance between performance and cost, making it a favored material for manufacturers worldwide.
Superior Castability
One of the main reasons for choosing A383 aluminum is its excellent castability.
The fluidity of this alloy allows it to fill molds, even those with thin walls or complex geometric shapes, thus producing high-precision parts with very few defects.
This feature not only improves the quality of the final product but also reduces the need for additional processing and post-processing, thereby saving time and costs.
Enhanced Corrosion Resistance
A383 aluminum is particularly corrosion-resistant, even in harsh environments.
This makes it very suitable for applications where components are exposed to moisture, chemicals, or temperature fluctuations.
The alloy contains elements such as zinc and nickel, which can enhance its rust and oxidation resistance, ensuring the durability of the components.
Mechanical Strength and Durability
Despite its lightweight, A383 aluminum has strong mechanical properties, including good tensile strength and yield strength.
This makes it suitable for applications where components must withstand significant mechanical stress without deformation or fracture.
The balance between strength and ductility can also prevent the parts from cracking when absorbing shocks and impacts.
Dimensional Stability
Parts made of A383 aluminum are known for their dimensional stability.
This means that even under thermal cycling or mechanical loads, they can maintain their shape and size over time.
This is crucial for components that require precise tolerances and stable performance.
Cost-Effectiveness
The excellent castability of A383 aluminum reduces the need for secondary processing such as machining, thereby lowering production costs.
In addition, the ability to directly produce complex shaped parts from molds reduces material waste, making A383 aluminum an economical choice for large-scale production.
A383 Aluminum Applications
Thanks to its versatile properties and excellent performance characteristics, A383 aluminum is used in a wide range of applications across different industries:
Automotive
A383 aluminum plays a crucial role in the production of engine components, gearbox housings, and structural parts.
These components benefit from the strength, lightweight, and ability to maintain strict tolerances of A383.
In addition, the corrosion resistance and thermal stability of this alloy make it an ideal material for auto engine hoods that are exposed to high temperatures and corrosive environments.
Electronics
A383 aluminum is commonly used to produce casings, heat sinks, and other components that require efficient heat dissipation and durability.
This alloy can be cast into complex shapes, making it suitable for designing compact and efficient electronic devices, and becoming the preferred material for producing consumer electronics, telecommunications equipment, and industrial control devices.
Household Appliances
Thanks to its durability and corrosion resistance, A383 aluminum is used to manufacture household appliance components such as pump housings and compressor casings.
The combination of mechanical strength and resistance to environmental factors ensures a longer service life for electrical appliances and requires less maintenance.
Industrial Machinery
A383 aluminum is used to produce complex mechanical parts that require precision and strength, such as gearboxes, hydraulic components, and other mechanical parts.
The use of A383 aluminum allows these parts to withstand pressure and temperature fluctuations under stress and thermal cycling while maintaining dimensional stability.
Consumer Goods
In addition to heavy industry, A383 aluminum is also used in the production of various consumer goods.
Its excellent surface finish and ability to maintain fine details make it suitable for products that require both aesthetics and functionality.
For example, high-end kitchenware, furniture components, and even sports equipment.
Table 1: Elemental Composition Comparison
Element |
A383 Aluminum (%) |
6061 Aluminum (%) |
Aluminum (Al) |
82 – 86 | 95.8 – 98.6 |
Silicon (Si) |
9.5 – 11.5 | 0.4 – 0.8 |
Magnesium (Mg) |
≤0.10 | 0.8 – 1.2 |
Copper (Cu) | 2 – 3 |
0.15 – 0.40 |
Zinc (Zn) | 2 – 3 |
≤0.25 |
Iron (Fe) |
1 – 2 | ≤0.7 |
Manganese (Mn) |
≤0.35 | ≤0.15 |
Nickel (Ni) | ≤0.50 |
– |
Titanium (Ti) | ≤0.20 |
≤0.15 |
Tin (Sn) | ≤0.15 |
– |
Table 2: Mechanical Properties Comparison
Property |
A383 Aluminum |
6061 Aluminum |
Tensile Strength (MPa) |
290 – 330 | 260 – 310 |
Yield Strength (MPa) |
150 – 180 | 240 – 270 |
Elongation (%) | 3 – 4 |
8 – 12 |
Hardness (HB) | 85 – 95 |
95 – 105 |
Table 3: Physical and Chemical Properties Comparison
Property |
A383 Aluminum |
6061 Aluminum |
Density (g/cm³) |
2.73 – 2.75 | 2.70 |
Melting Point (°C) |
555 – 595 | 580 – 650 |
Electrical Conductivity (% IACS) |
23 – 25 | 40 – 44 |
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (10^-6 /°C) | 21.5 |
23.4 |
Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) | 96 |
167 |
Corrosion Resistance | Good |
Good |
Table 4: Applications Comparison
Application Fields |
A383 Aluminum |
6061 Aluminum |
Automotive Industry |
engine components, mtransmission cases, oil pans, brake components | suspension arms, wheels, truck frames |
Electronics |
casings, heat sinks, electrical enclosures, connectors, motor housings | laptop cases, smartphone frames, heat sinks |
Household Appliances |
compressors, housings, fan blades, pump parts, motor brackets |
kitchen equipment, outdoor furniture, ladders, heat exchangers |
Industrial Machinery | gearboxes, pumps, valve bodies, motor housings, covers, mounting brackets |
robotic arms, machine frames, support brackets |
Consumer Goods | lawn mower housings, bicycle components, handheld tool housings, kicthenware |
sports equipment, camping gear, ladders, camera tripods |
Can A383 Aluminum Be Heat-Treated?
No, A383 aluminum is usually not subjected to heat treatment.
The design purpose of A383 aluminum is to be used in the casting state, where it has demonstrated the required mechanical properties and dimensional stability.
Heat treatment is not suitable for A383 because heat treatment can cause unnecessary changes in the microstructure of the alloy.
These changes may lead to a decrease in strength, dimensional instability, and surface defects.
A383 aluminum achieves optimal performance through careful control of the die casting process, such as precise cooling rates and mold design, rather than relying on post-casting heat treatment.
For applications that require additional processing, A383 can perform minor procedures like stress relief, but it is not recommended or necessary to undergo comprehensive heat treatment.
What is A383 Aluminum Equivalent to?
ADC12 (Japanese Standard)
ADC12 is the Japanese equivalent of A383, with almost identical composition and performance.
This equivalence allows for seamless production and material procurement in international supply chains, especially for North America and Asia companies.
EN AC-46000 (European Standard)
EN AC-46000 is often used as an equivalent material for A383 in Europe.
This alloy also has similar mechanical and chemical properties, making it a reliable alternative for European manufacturers.
Y383 (Chinese Standard)
In China, Y383 is equivalent to A383. It comes with similar performance and is commonly used in industries such as automotive and electronics that require high global compatibility of materials.
Why A383 Aluminum Is Suitable for Squeeze Casting?
Squeeze casting is a process that combines the advantages of die casting and forging, capable of producing parts with excellent mechanical properties and extremely low porosity.
A383 aluminum is particularly suitable for this process, mainly for the following reasons:
The high silicon content in A383 aluminum endows it with excellent fluidity, allowing it to fill molds under high pressure.
Even in the face of complex geometric structures, it can flow uniformly and reach every detail, ensuring that the castings are dense and defect-free.
Squeezing casting effectively eliminates porosity and shrinkage defects by applying pressure during the metal solidification process.
When combined with A383 aluminum, this process can further enhance the mechanical properties of the parts, such as higher tensile strength, hardness, and fatigue resistance.
Parts produced by squeeze casting typically come with an excellent surface finish.
Thanks to the excellent fluidity of A383 aluminum, the casting surface is smooth and can meet high-quality requirements without excessive subsequent machining or surface treatment.
The high-precision process of squeeze casting combined with the dimensional stability of A383 aluminum can produce parts that meet strict tolerance requirements.
This is particularly important for components that require precise coordination, such as engine components or electronic casings.
A383 Aluminum Squeeze Casting by CEX Casting
At CEX Casting, we have extensive experience in using A383 aluminum squeeze casting to provide parts that meet the highest precision and performance standards. Below is a specific case study:
Automotive Engine Mount Bracket
We use A383 aluminum to produce engine mount brackets for a major automotive customer.
The bracket needs to be both lightweight and sturdy enough to absorb vibrations and withstand the pressure of continuous engine operation.
By utilizing squeeze casting technology, we have produced brackets with high tensile strength and excellent dimensional stability.
The result was that the bracket not only reduces the overall weight of the vehicle but also improves durability and reduces engine noise.
Mechanical Properties
The parts produced by CEX Casting using A383 aluminum in the squeeze casting process come with the following mechanical properties, which ensure that the parts we produce meet the strict requirements of their expected applications, providing excellent performance, durability, and service life.
Conclusion
A383 aluminum is a widely used alloy known for its excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and castability.
Whether you are in the automotive, electronics, or industrial fields, understanding the advantages of A383 aluminum can help you make better decisions and improve product quality while reducing costs.
At CEX Casting, we specialize in A383 aluminum extrusion casting, ensuring that every part we produce not only meets but also exceeds industry standards.
If you are looking for reliable and high-performance components, please contact us immediately to learn how we can assist you with your next project.