High Performance Markets & Common Needs: Lightweight & Reliable
Top Markets for A206 Aluminum Castings:
Combat & tactical vehicles. Performance cars. Off-road trucks & Jeeps. Race cars. Electric trucks & buses.
Mechanical Properties:
The mechanical properties and heat treat on the A206 are defined by the SAE Aerospace Material Specifications (AMS). Produced as sand & permanent mold castings and available in two tempers, T4 and T7.
AMS 4236B Aluminum Alloy Casting, A206.0-T4
4.6Cu – 0.35Mn – 0.25Mg – 0.22Ti
The T4 temper is lower strength yet higher elongation. Recommended for high toughness, safety-critical applications like steering knuckles, control arms.
AMS 4236B Aluminum Alloy Casting, A206.0-T71
4.6Cu – 0.35Mn – 0.25Mg – 0.22Ti
The T7 temper is higher strength yet lower elongation. Recommended for high strength, yet low impact applications.
PROCESSES:
Sand and Permanent Mold
| AMS 4236B A206-T4 Designated Casting Areas | |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength, min | 50 ksi (345 MPa) |
| Yield Strength at 0.2% Offset, min | 30 ksi (205 MPa) |
| Elongation in 2 inches or 4D, min | 10% |
| Note: Premium properties available with close collaboration with foundry. | |
| Other than Designated Areas | |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength, min | 45 ksi (310 MPa) |
| Yield Strength at 0.2% Offset, min | 26 ksi (180 MPa) |
| Elongation in 2 inches or 4D, min | 8% |
| Note: Premium properties available with close collaboration with foundry. | |
| AMS 4235B A206-T71 Designated Casting Areas | |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength, min | 54 ksi (370 MPa) |
| Yield Strength at 0.2% Offset, min | 45 ksi (310 MPa) |
| Elongation in 2 inches or 4D, min | 3% |
| Note: Premium properties available with close collaboration with foundry. | |
| Other than Designated Areas | |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength, min | 50 ksi (345 MPa) |
| Yield Strength at 0.2% Offset, min | 40 ksi (275 MPa) |
| Elongation in 2 inches or 4D, min | 1.5% |
| Note: Premium properties available with close collaboration with foundry. | |
Applications
Lightweight housings, covers, rear-ends, bell housings, carriers, brake calipers, steering knuckles, control arms, structures, gun mounts.
Vs. Ductile Iron: Engineered to 50% lower weight
Vs. A356: Tougher, much improved fatigue
Vs. 2618 & 6061 Forgings: Similar properties, better economics with near net shape casting
Fatigue
A206-T4 has better high cycle fatigue strength than any aluminum alloy-temper combination. In multiple tests A206-T4 demonstrated runout of 100 million cycles at 15 KSI (103 MPa). It is 10X better than A356-T6.
Other properties
Density: 0.101 lb/in3 (2.80 g/cc)
CTE, 20-300C: 24.7 um/m C
Thermal Conductivity: 121 W/m-K
Shear Strength: 37.3 ksi (257 MPa) in T7 condition
Hardness: Brinell Hardness 120, Rockwell 47
Elastic Modulus: 10.2 Msi (70.3 GPa)
Poisson’s Ratio: 0.33
Fracture Toughness (K1C) of 206-T7: 39.2 ksi sqrt in
Creep Strength: At 200-250C, creep strength of A206 is 40% better than A356 and A357, and alloys with Zr, V. (TMS paper).
Modeling & Simulation
Eck Industries has been casting A206 for over 40 years; this experience, combined with solidification modeling that has been verified through extensive experimental correlations, positions us a market leader in strong, cast aluminum alloys.
In addition, we collaborate with leading simulation software companies to develop simulation models specifically for A206.
Machining
Silicon is an abrasive particle, and the common A356 has 7% Si. A206 contains less than 0.1% silicon. It is easy to machine, and it cleans-up beautifully.
Corrosion Protection
A206 aluminum sand castings have been used by the US Army and Marine Corps since 1980 in applications exposed to sea water for decades without an issue.
Casting Processes
A206 aluminum castings have been produced for decades in sand castings and are now in production permanent mold. High performance with improved economics.