Material Name : GD-ALSi8Cu3Fe
Material Identification & Standards
GD-ALSi8Cu3Fe is a pressure die casting aluminum alloy classified under the aluminum-silicon-copper-iron system. Equivalent designations include:
- JIS (Japan) : ADC10
- AA (USA) : A380
- BS (UK) : LM24 (BS 1490)
- DIN (Germany) : GD‑AlSi8Cu3Fe (DIN 1725)
- ISO (International) : Al‑Si8Cu3Fe (ISO 3522)
- GB (China) : YLDc12
- Common Use Type : Al-Si-Cu-Fe die casting alloy
- EN (Europe) : EN AC‑46000 (EN 1706)
BS 1490 LM24 is a broad designation covering multiple aluminum-silicon-copper alloys. Both GD-ALSi8Cu3Fe and GD-ALSi12Cu fall within the LM24 compositional range, hence they are mapped to this grade.
EN 1706 is a standard designation, officially titled:
EN 1706: Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Castings — Chemical composition and mechanical properties.
It is a European Standard (EN) that specifies the chemical composition and mechanical properties of cast aluminum alloys.
Therefore, all European cast aluminum alloys, such as EN AC‑44300, EN AC‑44100, EN AC‑43000, etc., are defined and governed under the framework of EN 1706.
Chemical Composition
- Silicon (Si): 7.5 – 9.5%
- Copper (Cu): 2.0 – 3.5%
- Iron (Fe): ≤ 0.8%
- Magnesium (Mg): 0.05 – 0.55%
- Manganese (Mn): 0.15 – 0.65%
- Zinc (Zn): ≤ 1.2%
- Nickel (Ni): ≤ 0.35%
- Tin (Sn): ≤ 0.15%
- Lead (Pb): ≤ 0.25%
- Titanium (Ti): ≤ 0.25%
- Aluminum (Al): Balance
Mechanical & Physical Properties
| Property | Typical Value Range |
| Tensile Strength | ~310 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ~190 MPa |
| Elongation | ~2–3% |
| Brinell Hardness | ~80 HB |
| Density | ~2.75 g/cm³ |
| Melting Temperature | ~560–620 °C |
Thermal & Electrical Properties
| Property | Typical Value Range |
| Thermal Conductivity | ~95 – 105 W/m·K |
| Electrical Conductivity | ~24% IACS (~13–14 MS/m) |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | ~21 – 23 µm/m·K |
Pros & Cons Summary
| Feature | Pros | Cons |
| Strength & Hardness | High mechanical strength and surface hardness | Moderate ductility; may crack under stress |
| Thermal Performance | Good heat conductivity and thermal stability | – |
| Castability | Excellent fluidity and die-filling ability; ideal for mass production | Susceptible to porosity, shrinkage, and cracking if die design is suboptimal; rough surface finish due to high Si |
| Corrosion Resistance | Reasonable in general environments with coating | Degrades in marine or high-humidity environments unless properly treated |
| Machinability | Good for secondary processing (e.g. drilling, tapping) | Requires careful cutting parameters to avoid surface issues and tool wear |
| Cost Efficiency | Suitable for high-volume casting, cost-effective | – |
Castability & Corrosion Resistance
GD‑ALSi8Cu3Fe has excellent castability due to its high silicon content, ensuring low shrinkage and good mold filling. However, its copper content makes it less corrosion-resistant than Mg-rich alloys. Protective coatings or anodization is recommended for outdoor or marine environments.
Key Characteristics
- Suitable for complex die-cast geometries
- Excellent dimensional stability
- High wear resistance
- Good machinability and finishing properties
- Commonly used in high-volume, high-precision parts
Common Applications
- Automotive gear housings, engine brackets, and transmission cases
- Power tool enclosures
- Electrical motor housings
- Heat sink casings and electronic components
- Structural hardware requiring tight tolerances
Conclusion & Recommendation
GD‑ALSi8Cu3Fe is a well-balanced aluminum casting alloy offering excellent mechanical strength, castability, and thermal properties, making it ideal for automotive and industrial applications. For projects requiring high performance with moderate cost, it is a recommended choice. Surface treatments should be applied if used in humid or corrosive conditions.