A356 Aluminium Investment Casting: Specs, Grades & Uses
A356 aluminium investment casting is the leading way to produce lightweight, complex aluminium parts with excellent castability. At Uni Tritech, India’s NADCAP-certified foundry, we cast A356 to net shape with full metallurgical traceability.
This guide explains A356-T6 mechanical properties, how aluminium A357 casting compares, and the wider aerospace aluminium alloy grades. See our investment casting process page and this aluminium alloy reference.
What Is A356 Aluminium Investment Casting?
A356 aluminium investment casting uses the lost-wax process to form thin-wall, complex parts from an Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy. With low impurities and great fluidity, A356 aluminium investment casting fills intricate geometries that are hard to machine.
This guide explains A356 aluminium investment casting: the materials, process, tolerances and quality controls that matter. Uni Tritech is India's Airbus-approved, NADCAP-certified foundry serving aerospace, defence and medical OEMs globally.
A356-T6 Mechanical Properties
A356-T6 mechanical properties come from a solution treatment plus artificial aging. After T6, the A356-T6 mechanical properties include good strength, ductility, and fatigue life, making the alloy a reliable choice for loaded aerospace parts.
Typical A356-T6 values:
- Tensile strength around 262 to 290 MPa after T6 temper.
- Yield strength roughly 186 to 210 MPa for design loads.
- Elongation of 5 to 10 percent for useful ductility.
- Low density near 2.68 g/cc for strong weight savings.
- Excellent corrosion resistance and weldability.
Aluminium A357 Casting vs A356
Aluminium A357 casting uses a higher magnesium content (Al-7Si-0.6Mg) than A356, often with beryllium. As a result, aluminium A357 casting reaches higher strength after T6, while A356 offers slightly better ductility and easier casting.
- A357 gives higher strength, near 310 to 360 MPa after T6.
- A356 offers better ductility and the easiest castability.
- Both share excellent corrosion resistance and weldability.
- Choose A357 for premium, highly loaded aerospace castings.
Aerospace Aluminium Alloy Grades
Beyond A356, several aerospace aluminium alloy grades suit investment casting. The right pick from the aerospace aluminium alloy grades depends on strength, corrosion, and weldability targets for the component.
- A356 and A357: the workhorse Al-Si-Mg casting grades.
- C355 and 354: higher strength for demanding parts.
- D357: premium aerospace grade for thin, complex castings.
- 201 and 535: high-strength Al-Cu and Al-Mg options.
Why Choose Uni Tritech for A356 Aluminium Investment Casting
Uni Tritech is a NADCAP-certified, AS9100D foundry. We deliver A356 aluminium investment casting with in-house CNC machining, T6 heat treatment, and full non-destructive testing, and also cast Ti-6Al-4V titanium.
- Controlled melting and degassing for low-porosity aluminium.
- In-house T6 solution treatment and aging for full properties.
- NADCAP NDT plus AS9102 first-article inspection with CMM data.
- One-stop aluminium casting, machining, and finishing in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
A356 and A357 are the most common. A356 aluminium investment casting suits complex, weight-critical parts, while A357 is chosen when higher strength is needed after T6 heat treatment.
A357 is stronger because of its higher magnesium content, reaching up to about 360 MPa after T6. A356 trades a little strength for better ductility and easier casting.
It is used for housings, brackets, impellers, electronic enclosures, and EV components where light weight, complex shapes, and corrosion resistance matter.
Yes, usually. A356-T6 mechanical properties require solution treatment and aging. The T6 temper develops the strength and fatigue life needed for loaded parts.
Yes. Uni Tritech supplies NADCAP-certified A356 aluminium investment casting to aerospace, defence, and EV OEMs globally, with full traceability and documentation.
Need A356 aluminium investment casting for lightweight aerospace or EV parts? Uni Tritech delivers NADCAP-certified, T6 heat-treated aluminium castings with full traceability. Contact our team today.
Looking for a trusted A356 aluminium investment casting manufacturer in India?
Uni Tritech casts lightweight, high-strength aluminium components for aerospace, defence, and electric mobility. Talk to us about your A356 castings today.
