A380 Aluminum Alloy -The World's Most Used Die Casting Metal

A380 is the single most widely produced aluminum die casting alloy globally, accounting for approximately 80% of all aluminum die casting volume. Its popularity is not accidental -A380 offers a uniquely balanced combination of castability, mechanical strength, machinability, and corrosion resistance that makes it the default choice for a broad range of engineering applications.

KastMfg has produced A380 die castings for over 20 years across machine tonnages from 160T to 1,600T. Our A380 production covers everything from 50-gram precision brackets to 15-kilogram automotive structural housings.

---

Chemical Composition

Element	Min %	Max %	Role
Silicon (Si)	7.5	9.5	Fluidity, reduces shrinkage
Copper (Cu)	3.0	4.0	Strength, hardness, machinability
Iron (Fe)	-	1.3	Reduces die soldering
Zinc (Zn)	-	3.0	Strength contribution
Magnesium (Mg)	-	0.10	Minor strengthening
Manganese (Mn)	-	0.50	-
Nickel (Ni)	-	0.50	-
Tin (Sn)	-	0.35	-
Aluminum (Al)	Balance	-	Base metal

Per ASTM B85 Standard Specification for Aluminum-Alloy Die Castings

---

Mechanical Properties (As-Cast HPDC)

Property	Value	Test Standard
Tensile Strength	317 MPa (46,000 psi)	ASTM E8
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)	159 MPa (23,000 psi)	ASTM E8
Elongation in 2 inches	3.5%	ASTM E8
Hardness	80 HRB	ASTM E18
Shear Strength	190 MPa (27,500 psi)	-
Fatigue Strength (5x10^8 cycles)	138 MPa (20,000 psi)	-

---

Physical Properties

Property	Value
Density	2.71 g/cm³ (0.098 lb/in³)
Melting range	540-595°C (1,000-1,100°F)
Casting temperature	620-680°C
Thermal conductivity	96 W/m·K
Electrical conductivity	27% IACS
Coefficient of thermal expansion	21.1 μm/m·°C (11.7 μin/in·°F)
Specific heat	963 J/kg·K
Modulus of elasticity	71 GPa (10,300 ksi)
Poisson's ratio	0.33

---

Castability and Process Characteristics

Excellent fluidity: A380's 8-% silicon content gives it outstanding melt fluidity, enabling reliable filling of walls as thin as 1.2 mm and long thin sections where other alloys would produce cold shuts.

Low shrinkage: Eutectic silicon reduces volumetric shrinkage during solidification, minimizing porosity risk in moderate-wall-thickness sections.

Good die release: A380 does not solder aggressively to H13 die steel when injection parameters are correctly managed. Die life of 80,000-150,000 shots is routinely achieved.

Machinability: The copper content improves machinability significantly compared to high-silicon alloys. A380 produces short, manageable chips and excellent surface finish in drilling, milling, and boring operations.

---

Advantages of A380

• Highest castability of common aluminum alloys -reliable fill in complex geometries
• Good balance of strength, hardness, and ductility
• Excellent machinability -short chips, good surface finish on machined features
• Accepts powder coating, anodizing (functional quality), chromate conversion, and e-coating
• Widely available globally -consistent supply chain and traceability
• Proven in automotive, industrial, and electronics applications at multi-million-piece volumes

Limitations of A380

• Not ideal for T6 heat treatment -copper content reduces response to age hardening; standard HPDC porosity causes blistering during solution treatment
• Moderate corrosion resistance -adequate for indoor/protected applications; A360 preferred for harsh or marine environments
• Not weldable -copper content makes A380 unsuitable for welding
• Anodizing quality -produces a functional but not cosmetically premium anodized finish compared to wrought alloys

---

A380 vs Other Aluminum Die Casting Alloys

Property	A380	ADC12	A360	A413
Castability	★★★	★★★	★★	★★★
Tensile strength	317 MPa	310 MPa	317 MPa	290 MPa
Corrosion resistance	★★	★★	★★★	★★
Machinability	★★★	★★★	★★	★★
Pressure tightness	★★	★★	★★	★★★
Thermal conductivity	96 W/m·K	96 W/m·K	113 W/m·K	121 W/m·K

---

Applications

Automotive: Gearbox housings, transmission cases, engine brackets, oil pump bodies, thermostat housings, alternator brackets, timing covers.

Industrial machinery: Motor end shields, compressor crankcases, gearbox covers, pump housings, pneumatic tool bodies.

Electronics: Heat sink bodies, server chassis components, power supply housings, motor drive enclosures.

LED Lighting: Streetlight bodies, high-bay fixture housings, floodlight enclosures.

Consumer products: Power tool housings, garden equipment covers, appliance frames.

---

Surface Finishing Options for A380

Finish	Suitability	Notes
Shot blasting	Excellent	Standard surface prep
Powder coating	Excellent	All RAL/Pantone colors
E-coating	Excellent	Uniform internal coverage
Chromate conversion	Good	Conductive, pre-paint treatment
Type II anodizing	Functional	Not cosmetically premium vs wrought Al
Type III hard anodizing	Functional	Wear resistance, not decorative grade
Chrome plating	Not recommended	Zinc preferred for decorative plating

---

Equivalent Designations

Standard	Designation
ASTM (USA)	A380.0, 380
JIS (Japan)	ADC10 (similar, not identical)
EN (Europe)	EN AC-46000 (approximate)
BS (UK)	LM24 (approximate)

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Can A380 be welded?

No. A380's copper content makes it prone to hot cracking during welding. For applications requiring welded joints, A360 (lower copper) or wrought 6061 alloy is recommended. Die cast A380 parts can be mechanically fastened, adhesive bonded, or assembled with press-fit inserts.

Is A380 suitable for pressure-tight hydraulic applications?

A380 can be used for low-pressure hydraulic applications with vacuum-assisted casting and post-cast impregnation. For demanding hydraulic service (>200 bar), A413 is preferred due to its superior pressure tightness from near-eutectic composition and finer microstructure.

What is the difference between A380 and ADC12?

ADC12 (JIS H5302) is the Japanese standard equivalent with slightly higher silicon (11% vs 8.5%) and lower copper (2% vs 3.5%). ADC12 has marginally better castability and machinability; A380 has slightly higher strength. Both are interchangeable for most applications. KastMfg stocks both and can supply either per customer specification.

---

Request an A380 die casting quote: yaoqingpu1983@gmail.com | +86 138 1403 4409 | No.6, Rungu Road, Nanjing, China