Chemical Composition

LM6 LM4
Copper 0.1 max 2.0-4.0
Magnesium 0.10 max 0.20 max.
Silicon 10.0-13.0 4.0 - 6.0
Iron 0.6 max 0.8 max.
Manganese 0.5 max 0.2-0.6
Nickel 0.1 max 0.3 max.
Zinc 0.1 ma 0.5 max.
Lead 0.1 max. 0.1 max.
Tin 0.05 max. 0.1 max.
Titanium 0.2 max. 0.2 max.
Aluminium Remainder Remainder
Others: each 0.05 max. 0.05 max.
Others: total 0.15 max. 0.15 max.
Mechanical Properties
LM6 LM4
Sand Cast Chill Cast Die Cast Sand Cast Chill Cast
0.2% Proof Stress 60-70 70-80 120 70-110 80-110
Tensile Stress (N/mm 2) 160 -190 190 -230 280 140-170 160-220
Elongation (%) 5 7 02-May 02-Mar 02-Apr
Impact Resistance Izod 6 9 - 1.4 2.1
Brinell Hardness 50-55 55-60 55-60 65-80 70-90
Endurance Limit (5x10 7
51 68 70-100 75 85
cycles;N/mm 2)
Modulus of Elasticity 71 71 71 71 71
Shear Strength (N/mm 120 - - 150 165
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
LM6 LM4
Coefficient of Thermal
0.00002 0.000021
Expansion (per°C at 20-
Thermal Conductivity
0.34 0.29
(cal/cm 2 /cm/°C at
Electrical Conductivity
37 32
(% copper standard at
Density (g/cm3) 2.65 2.75
Freezing Range (°C) 575-565 625-525
 LM6

Resistance to attack under normal atmospheric conditions is

Aluminium LM6 exhibits excellent resistance to corrosion
fairly good.
CORROSION under both ordinary atmospheric and marine conditions. For
Considerable improvement in resistance to corrosion is
RESISTANCE the severest conditions, this property can be further enhanced
effected by anodic treatment; a small increase in resistance is
by anodic treatment.
obtained when the alloy is solution heat-treated.
This alloy has fairly good machining properties, being
Aluminium alloys of this and similar compositions are rather
intermediate between the rather difficult Aluminium-Silicon
difficult to machine, due to their tendency to drag and to the
alloys and the easily machinable Aluminium-Copper group.
rapid tool wear caused by their high Silicon content. Carbide-
MACHINABILITY tipped tools with large rake angles and low cutting speeds
Liberal cutting lubricant and coolant should be employed.
Castings show improved machinability after heat-treatment.
give comparatively good results when cutting lubricant and
coolant are employed.
Treatment by the chromic acid process will give a resistant
but generally greyish coloured surface, but a lighter film
suitable for dyeing can be obtained with the sulphuric acid
LM6 can be anodised by any of the common processes, the
ANODISING resulting film ranging in colour from grey to dark brown.
method. The colour and quality of the coating depend to some
extent upon the condition of the castings, i.e. whether sand or
chill cast and whether heat-treated, and also on the thickness
of the film.
Having high resistance to corrosion and excellent castability,
aluminium LM6 is suitable for most marine 'on deck' castings,
water-cooled manifolds and jackets, motor car and road
This alloy is widely used and is suitable for most general
transport fittings, thin section and intricate castings such as
engineering purposes including cylinder-heads, crank-cases,
motor housings, meter cases and switch boxes, for a very
junction boxes, gearboxes, clutch-cases, switch gear covers,
large aluminium casting, e.g. cast doors and panels where
instrument cases, tool-handles and household fittings, office
ease of casting is essential, for chemical and dye industry
equipment and electrical tools etc., where moderate
castings, e.g. pump parts, and for paint industry and food and
APPLICATION mechanical properties are desirable. Its casting
domestic castings. It is especially suitable for castings that
characteristics permit it to be used forthe production of thick
AND GENERAL are to be welded.The ductility of LM6 enables castings to be
and moderately thin forms and also for castings required to be
NOTES rectified easily or even modified in shape, e.g. simple
pressure tight. In the heat treated state, it may be used for
components may be cast straight and later bent to the
castings required to maintain a relatively high static loading. It
required contour.
has good weldability.
LM6 is equally adaptable for sand casting and aluminium die
LM4 is equally suitable for the production of sand and
casting (gravity die casting and pressure die casting).
permanent mould castings but the higher Silicon alloys such
It has excellent resistance to corrosion in marine
as LM2 and LM24 are generally to be preferred.
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