A413 is a high-silicon aluminum alloy die casting material known for its excellent fluidity, sealing, and smooth casting surface. It can fill thin-walled and complex molds, making it suitable for pump bodies, valve bodies, compressor casings, etc. This alloy also has good corrosion resistance and dimensional control ability, making it an ideal choice for components used in harsh environments in the automotive, marine, and industrial fields.
This article will introduce the chemical composition, mechanical and physical properties, main advantages, usage limitations, comparison with other die casting aluminum alloys, application areas, and post-treatment methods of A413 aluminum alloy. Continue reading to see if it is suitable for your next project.
Chemical Composition of A413 Aluminum Alloy
|
Element |
Content (wt%) |
|
Silicon (Si) |
11.0 – 13.0% |
| Copper (Cu) |
~0.6% |
|
Iron (Fe) |
≤ 1.3% |
| Magnesium (Mg) |
~0.1% |
|
Zinc (Zn) |
≤ 0.5% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
≤ 0.5% |
|
Titanium (Ti) |
≤ 0.5% |
| Aluminum (Al) |
Balance |
Mechanical Properties of A413 Aluminum Alloy (As-Cast)
|
Property |
Typical Value (As-Cast) |
|
Tensile Strength |
270 – 310 MPa |
|
Yield Strength |
120 – 150 MPa |
|
Elongation Rate |
~1.5 – 2.5% |
| Hardness |
~65 – 75 HB |
Physical Properties of A413 Aluminum Alloy
|
Property |
Typical Value |
|
Thermal Conductivity |
100 – 120 W/m·K |
|
Electrical Conductivity |
25 – 30% IACS |
|
Density |
~2.68 g/cm³ |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient |
18 – 22 µm/m·°C |
| Melting Point Range |
560 – 580°C |
| Specific Heat Capacity |
~0.96 J/g·°C |
Key Benefits of A413 Aluminum Alloy
Excellent Liquidity
The high silicon content of A413 significantly reduces the viscosity of molten metal, giving it excellent flowability during the high-pressure die casting process.
This helps with mold filling and is suitable for producing thin-walled complex die casting parts.
Excellent As-Cast Surface
Silicon element helps to form a small and uniform grain structure during the solidification process, thereby making the surface of the casting naturally smooth and dense.
This can meet most applications with high requirements for appearance or coating without the need for additional polishing.
Excellent Corrosion Resistance
A413 surface can quickly generate a dense and stable alumina film, which blocks moisture, salt spray, and chemical erosion.
This performance comes from the chemical stability of its aluminum-silicon substrate, which hardly undergoes electrochemical reactions.
Excellent Sealing Performance
The high silicon content of A413 helps to form a small and uniform grain structure.
This enables it to form a dense, low porosity structure during the aluminum die casting process, which can maintain good sealing performance for a long time even in high-pressure environments.
High Strength to Weight Ratio
A413 has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio; aluminum itself is lightweight, and the eutectic structure formed by silicon and aluminum enhances overall strength.
This combination makes it widely used in automotive and aerospace parts.
Strong Dimensional Stability
A413 has a moderate coefficient of thermal expansion and a stable organizational structure, which can maintain dimensional accuracy under thermal cycling and load.
The presence of silicon can effectively suppress grain growth at high temperatures and enhance the ability to resist thermal deformation.
Limitations and Precautions of A413 Aluminum Alloy
Poor Welding Performance
A413 has a high silicon content and is prone to cracking and porosity in the welding heat-affected zone, resulting in poor weldability.
This is because its eutectic structure is prone to thermal cracking at high temperatures, and it is recommended to use mechanical fastening or casting inserts instead of welding.
High Processing Difficulty
High silicon structures contain a large number of hard particles, which can quickly wear down cutting tools and reduce machining efficiency.
Therefore, it is recommended to use diamond or hard alloy cutting tools and adopt low-speed, low-feed with good lubrication.
Non-Heat-Treatable
The strength of A413 comes from the as-cast eutectic structure and lacks alloy elements that can be precipitated and strengthened.
Therefore, even with heat treatment, its performance improvement is very limited.
Comparison of A413 with Other Die Casting Aluminum Alloys
|
Property / Alloy |
A413 | A360 | A380 | ADC12 | A356 |
|
Corrosion Resistance |
Excellent | Generally Good | Generally Good | Generally Good | Excellent |
|
Castability |
Very High | Very High | Very High | Generally High | High |
|
Surface Finish |
Extremely Good | Very Good | Very Good | Very Good | Good |
|
Sealing Performance |
Excellent | Standard | Good | Standard |
Good |
| Strength | Medium High | High | Medium | High |
High |
| Machinability | Poor | Easy to Process | Moderate | Moderate |
Good |
| Cost | Medium to High | High | Economic Type | Economic Type |
High |
| Application Fields | Automotive, Marine, Electronic | Automotive, Electronic | General Parts, Home Appliances | General Parts, Home Appliances |
Aviation, Structural |
Application Fields of A413 Aluminum Alloy
Automotive Components
Widely used in structural components such as gear housings, engine covers, and fuel pump housings, it has good strength, heat resistance, and sealing properties, while effectively reducing vehicle weight and improving fuel efficiency.
Electronic and Lighting Equipment
Commonly used for thermosensitive die casting parts such as LED modules, heat sinks, and power supply housings.
It has strong thermal conductivity and good dimensional stability, which can meet the dual requirements of compact structure and efficient heat dissipation.
Marine and Outdoor Equipment
Suitable for manufacturing marine components, brackets, and outdoor electrical enclosures, as they can resist salt spray and moisture corrosion, do not require additional protective coatings on the surface, and can maintain long-term stable use.
Industrial Equipment
Applied to parts with high requirements for sealing and strength, such as valve bodies, pump casings, sensor housings, etc.
The structure of A413 is dense and can maintain reliable performance under high-pressure and vibration conditions.
Consumer Electronics and Home Appliances
Widely used in power tools, home appliance casings, and portable devices. A413 comes with good surface quality and mechanical strength, suitable for mass production, and meets both appearance and functional requirements for die casting products.
Post-Processing of A413 Aluminum Alloy
Surface Treatment
A413 has a smooth and flat surface, suitable for various surface treatment methods such as powder coating, spray painting, and anodizing.
It can effectively improve corrosion resistance and appearance texture, and meet diverse product design needs.
CNC Machining
The casting has strong geometric stability and, when combined with hard cutting tools and good cooling, can achieve high-precision CNC machining.
Suitable for components with strict requirements for assembly accuracy and dimensional tolerances.
When to Choose A413 Aluminum Alloy
Sealing Requirements
If the project requires parts to operate for a long time in high-pressure or closed systems without leakage, A413 is a highly adaptable material.
Its dense structure and low porosity characteristics ensure reliable performance over time.
Corrosion Environment
If the parts will be exposed to moisture, salt spray, or mild chemical environments, A413’s natural oxide layer provides sufficient protection.
This minimizes the need for frequent maintenance or additional coatings.
Complex Designs
If the structural shape of the part is fine, the wall thickness is thin, or weight control is strict, A413 is a great option.
Its high fluidity and low density meet both molding needs and weight reduction requirements.
Surface Quality
If there are requirements for the initial surface quality of castings, A413’s as-cast surface can reduce pre-treatment steps.
This helps improve consistency for subsequent treatments such as anodizing and spraying.
Cost-Effective
If the production cycle is tight, the batch size is large, and product consistency is important, A413 can be a cost-effective choice.
As it is adaptable in die casting efficiency, defect control, and processing friendliness.
Conclusion
A413, with its excellent fluidity, corrosion resistance, and sealing performance, has become an ideal choice for thin-walled complex die casting parts and has performed well in the automotive, marine, and electronics industries.
As a professional aluminum alloy die casting supplier, CEX Casting provides A413 die casting products with high precision, high surface quality, and high dimensional stability.
Welcome to contact us for customized solutions for your next die casting project.