LM6 (EN 1706 AC-44100)

ALUMINIUM CASTING ALLOY

(Al-Si12)
Colour Code - YELLOW
This alloy conforms to BS 1490:1988 LM6.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
EN 1706 AC-44100
%
Copper- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.1 max. 0.15 (0.10)
Magnesium- - - - - - - - - - - 0.10 max. 0.10
Silicon- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 10.0-13.0 10.5-13.5
Iron- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.6 max 0.65 (0.55)
Manganese- - - - - - - - - - - 0.5 max. 0.55
Nickel- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.1 max. 0.10
Zinc- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.1 max. 0.15
Lead- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.1 max. 0.10
Tin- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.05 max -
Titanium- - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.2 max 0.20 (0.15)
Aluminium- - - - - - - - - - - - Remainder
Others: each- - - - - - - - - - 0.05 max. 0.05
Others: total- - - - - - - - - - - 0.15 max 0.15
Figures in brackets are ingot compositions where they differ from the casting, single figures are
maxima.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
LM6-M
Sand Cast
0.2% Proof Stress (N/mm2) 60-70
Tensile Stress (N/mm2) 160-190
Elongation (%) 5
Impact Resistance Izod (Nm) 6.0
Brinell Hardness 50-55
Endurance Limit (5x107 cycles; N/mm2) 51
Modulus of Elasticity (x103 N/mm2) 71
Shear Strength (N/mm2) 120

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 LM6-M
Chill Cast Die Cast
0.2% Proof Stress (N/mm2) 70-80 120
Tensile Stress (N/mm2) 190-230 280
Elongation (%) 7 2-5
Impact Resistance Izod (Nm) 9.0 ­
Brinell Hardness 55-60 55-60
Endurance Limit (5x107 cycles; N/mm2) 68 70-100
Modulus of Elasticity (x103 N/mm2) 71 71
Shear Strength (N/mm2) - ­
The values shown are typical ranges for sand and chill cast test bars produced to the requirement of B.S.
1490. Die cast values are obtained from 6mm diameter test bars. Those in heavier type are minimum
specification values.

STRENGTH AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES

Tensile strength and hardness decrease fairly regularly with increasing
temperature and become relatively poor at 250°C.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
2
(per°C at 20-100°C) 0.000020
Thermal Conductivity (cal/cm /cm/°C at 25°C) 0.34
Electrical Conductivity
3
(% copper standard at 20°C) 37
Density (g/cm ) 2.65
Freezing Range (°C) approx 575-565
MACHINABILITY
Alloys of this and similar compositions are rather difficult to machine. This
is due to their tendency to drag and to the rapid tool wear caused by the
high Silicon content. Carbide-tipped tools with large rake angles and
relativelylow cutting speeds give comparatively good results. A Cutting
lubricant and coolant should be employed.
CORROSION RESISTANCE
LM6 exhibits excellent resistance to corrosion under both ordinary atmos­
pheric and marine conditions. For the severest conditions, this property can
be further enhanced by anodic treatment.
ANODIZING
LM6 can be anodized by any of the common processes, the resulting film
ranging in colour from grey to dark brown.

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CASTING CHARACTERISTICS
FLUIDITY Excellent, can be cast into thinner and more intricate sections
-

than other casting alloys, which makes it useful for producing complex
castings of large surface area and thin walls.
PRESSURE TIGHTNESS Excellent, especially suitable for leak tight
-

castings.

HOT-TEARING - Excellent, castings in sand or chill moulds are

completely free from hot tearing.

TYPICAL POURING TEMPERATURE 725°C

-

Sand and permanent mould pouring temperatures may be varied in

practice. Die casting pouring temperatures are machine dependent The

molten metal should not be allowed to stand at temperatures just above

the solidification temperature, as the base of the melt will become

enriched in alloying elements such as Iron and Manganese.

PATTERNMAKERS’ SHRINKAGE - 1.3% or 1/75.

Die casting shrinkage may be considerably less in some instances.

Solidification shrinkage is approximately 3.7%

HEAT TREATMENT
Ductility can be improved slightly by heating at 250-300°C, but, apart from
stress relieving, the heat treatment of LM6 is of little industrial interest.
APPLICATIONS
This alloy, having high resistance to corrosion and excellent castability, is

most suitable for marine ‘on deck’ castings, watercooled manifolds and

jackets, motor car and road transport fittings, thin section and intricate

castings such as motor housings, meter cases and switch boxes, for very

large castings, e.g., cast doors and panels where ease of casting is

essential, for chemical and dye industry castings, e.g., pump parts, for

paint industry and food and domestic castings. It is especially suitable for

castings that are to be welded.

The ductility of LM6 alloy enables castings to be rectified easily or even

modified in shape, e.g., simple components may be cast straight and later

bent to the required contour.

It is equally adaptable for sand and permanent mould castings and for die

castings.

This alloy has excellent resistance to corrosion in marine environments,

possesses excellent ductility, but is of medium strength and is not heat

treated. Its strength falls off rapidly at high temperatures. Its elastic limit is

low and there is difficulty with machining.

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