ASM Handbook, Volume 2B, Properties and Selection of Aluminum Alloys Copyright # 2019 ASM InternationalW

Kevin Anderson, John Weritz, and J. Gilbert Kaufman, editors All rights reserved
DOI 10.31399/asm.hb.v02b.a0006557 www.asminternational.org

238.0
Al-Cu-Si General Purpose Casting Alloy

Alloy 238.0 is a standard general purpose Al-Si-Cu alloy (Table 1) Weldability

used for high hardness in the as-cast condition, good casting characteris-
tics, and good machinability. Applications include examples in the
marine and durable goods area; the sole plate for hand irons is one. Typ-
ical properties are summarized in Table 2.
Aluminum alloy 238.0 has limited weldability in arc welding with gas
or flux, but is weldable in most applications by arc welding with inert
gas. The alloy is readily well double by resistance methods.

Corrosion Resistance
Machinability
Aluminum casting alloys where copper is the major alloying element
are less corrosion-resistant than alloys of other series which contain
lower levels of copper. The solution potential of 238.0, as measured A238.0 has a relatively good machinability rating. The chips are
against the standard calomel electrode, is approximately 0.74 Volts. curled, but fairly easily broken; the surface finish is good to excellent.
As this alloy corrodes, it is common for the copper to replate on the sur-
face to form cathode locations. The presence of copper enhances the cor-
rosion rate by this reduction of copper and increased efficiency of 02 and
Table 2 Typical properties of alloy 238.0
H+ reduction reactions.
Property Value
 
Density at 20 C (68 F) 2.96 g/cm (0.107 lb/in.3)
3

Melting range 510–600  C (950–1110  F)

Table 1 Compositions of 238.0 Thermal conductivity at 25  C (77  F) 104 W/m K
Element 238.0 (UNS A02380) Average coefficient of linear thermal expansion from 21.4 mm/m  C
20–100  C (68–212  F)
Si 3.5–4.5 Ultimate tensile strength, MPa (ksi)(a) 207 (30)
Fe 1.5 max Tensile yield strength, 0.2 %, MPa (ksi)(a) 165 (24)
Cu 9.0–11.0 Elongation in 50 mm (2 in.), %(a) 1.5
Mn 0,6 max
Mg 0,15–0.35 (a) Permanent-mold casting
Ni 1.0 max
Ti 0.25 max
Zn 1.5 max
Other (each), max ...
Other (total), max 0.50
Al bal

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by Manjunath Aithal