What is the common alloy 4600 used for?

Alloy 4600 (Al-Si12) is a eutectic alloy widely used for pressure die casting and gravity die casting due to its excellent fluidity and castability.

What do the mechanical properties in Table 2 represent?

They represent the minimum properties achievable from a standardized, separately cast test bar under ideal conditions, serving as a benchmark for the alloy's potential (Clause 5.1).

How should ingots be marked?

Each ingot must be marked with the alloy designation and the manufacturer's identification mark. A color coding scheme as per Annex A can also be used for quick identification (Clause 10).

What does the temper designation 'M' mean?

'M' signifies the 'As-manufactured' or 'as-cast' condition, meaning no subsequent thermal treatment has been applied after casting (Table 3).

IS 6179

: 1997

Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy Ingots for Castings for General Engineering Purposes - Specification

CurrentFrequently UsedSpecificationMaterials Science · Aluminium and Non-Ferrous Metals

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This standard specifies the requirements for various grades of aluminium and aluminium alloy ingots intended for remelting and producing castings for general engineering purposes. It covers alloy designations, chemical composition, mechanical properties, and inspection criteria.

Specifies the requirements for aluminium and aluminium alloy ingots intended for producing castings for general engineering purposes.

Quick Reference Values

Max ingot mass12 kg

Silicon (Si) content in Alloy 460010.0-13.0 %

Min. Tensile Strength of Alloy 4600-M150 MPa

Min. Elongation of Alloy 4600-M5 %

Copper (Cu) content in Alloy 42252.0-4.0 %

Min. Tensile Strength of Alloy 4225-M150 MPa

Practical Notes

The mechanical properties specified in Table 2 apply to separately cast test bars and not necessarily to the final casting, whose properties are influenced by the casting process and part geometry.

Always specify the complete alloy designation, including the temper condition (e.g., 4600-M for 'as cast'), as properties vary significantly with heat treatment.

This standard primarily governs the quality of the raw material (ingots). The final performance of the cast component heavily depends on the foundry's process control.