A prefix & F suffix in Aluminum Castings

[Bagman2524]

What is the A prefix for aluminum castings?
I.e. Is there any difference between A356.0 & 356.0?
Also what is the meaning if there is no suffix (temper designation)? I see an "F" suffix means as fabricated, so would 356.0 be the same as 356.0-F?

 

[TVP]

The A in front of an alloy designation denotes a higher purity version of the chemical composition. ASTM B 26/B 26M Standard Specification for Aluminum-Alloy Sand Castings lists the chemical composition for these two grades. The differences are in the impurity levels allowed for Fe, Cu, Mn, Cr, Zn, and Ti and are as follows (all maximums):

356.0 --> 0.6Fe/0.25Cu/0.50Mn/0.25Cr/0.35Zn/0.25Ti

A356.0--> 0.20Fe/0.20Cu/0.10Mn/0.05Cr/0.10Zn/0.20Ti


With regards to the temper designation, these are explained in either ANSI H35.1. -F indeed means "as fabricated" which means as-cast for castings. No temper designation does not necessarily mean -F. Ask the supplier to lisy the temper designation if one is not listed on the various certifications, etc.

 

[swall]

To add on to what TVP posted,the number after the decimal point tells you whether you are dealing with the casting or ingot. A356.0 means casting, A356.1 means ingot. There also some castings out there that use a different prefixes for the higher purity version. C355 comes to mind.