Alloy basis

It combines good fluidity, corrosion resistance and mechanical properties after heat treatment.

Typical applications

Pump bodies, housings, wheels, machinery castings and structural foundry components.

Common tempers / conditions

Often supplied in T6 heat-treated condition.

Practical application: machinery casting

For a machinery housing or pump body, 356 can be evaluated for castability, weight and mechanical performance. Selection should begin with operating loads, section thickness, pressure requirements, temperature and exposure to process fluids. Casting route and heat treatment affect properties, so the design must use data appropriate to the specified condition rather than generic aluminum values.

356 and A356 are not identical

Although closely related, 356 and A356 can have different permitted impurity limits under applicable specifications. A purchase order should state the exact alloy, casting standard, process and condition. Substitution should be reviewed against mechanical requirements, corrosion exposure and customer approval requirements.

Inspection and documentation example

• Confirm chemical composition and material traceability against the order.
• Record casting process, heat-treatment condition and relevant mechanical tests.
• Inspect critical machined faces, bosses and interfaces for dimensional compliance.
• Specify pressure testing or NDT only where justified by the intended service and governing requirements.
• Evaluate casting defects against documented acceptance criteria.

Related technical references

See A356, 319 and the Cast Aluminum Alloys Guide for related selection considerations. Always check the latest material specification and manufacturer data.

Engineering selection notes

Confirm the exact alloy designation, temper, product form, thickness/diameter, mechanical properties, corrosion environment, joining process, surface treatment and certification. Properties can vary substantially by temper and product form.

QA/QC

For critical service, verify heat/lot traceability, mill certificate, chemical composition, tensile properties, temper, dimensional tolerances and any required NDT or third-party inspection.

Element Folio engineering reference. Verify the latest governing standard and producer data before design or procurement.