A356 Aluminum Investment Casting
A356 Aluminum Investment Castings
Milwaukee Precision Casting, Inc. is experienced in pouring a356 aluminum casts for various applications.
A356 aluminum alloy is made up of 92.05% aluminum, 7% silicon, 0.35% magnesium, 0.2% iron, 0.2% copper, 0.1% manganese, and 0.1% zinc. It is lightweight and extremely corrosion-resistant like stainless steel. A356 aluminum can be used as a substitute for aluminum alloy 6061.
Additional Characteristics of A356 Alloy Castings:
- Typically heat treated to improve strength
- Very good weldability
- Mechanical properties are excellent, particularly if heat treated
- Low levels of impurities causing high strength and ductility
A356 Composition
Alloy A356 Composition
Aluminum A356 is classified as a 300-series cast aluminum alloy due to the presence of silicon and copper. This combination of elements formulates a more “fluid” alloy. In metallurgy, fluidity is the ability of an alloy to flow and fill a cavity before freezing. This is what makes A356 most suitable for investment casting. When poured, aluminum A356 can easily flow into intricate details, reducing scrap. Additionally, with silicon, A356 can handle higher temperatures without cracking.
The chemical composition of aluminum alloy A356 includes:
- 92.05% Aluminum (Al)
- 7.00% Silicon (Si)
- 0.35% Magnesium (Mg)
- 0.20% Iron (Fe)
- 0.20% Copper (Cu)
- 0.10% Manganese (Mn)
- 0.10% Zinc (Zn).
Heat Treatments
T5 & T6 Heat Treatments
The two heat treatments for a356 alloy casting are T5 and T6. T5 treatment is a simpler option where the aluminum extruded from the extruder air cools naturally. T5 treatment results in a cast with Webster Hardness Scale hardness of 8-12.
On the other hand, T6 is more complex and requires the aluminum extruded from the extruder to be instantaneously water cooled. The benefits of the more complex T6 process are an increased hardness of 12-15 on the Webster Hardness Scale and other mechanical properties for the casting.
Industries & Applications
Common Industries and Applications of A356 Castings:
Why Choose Milwaukee Precision Casting, Inc. For Aluminum A356 Investment Casting?
- Get quality and on-time delivery: Our full-service combines robotic technology with hands-on attention from experts.
- Receive high volume EAU’s of 1,000,000+.
- Need a prototype? Receive 3D print patterns within just a few days.
- Gain the most precise castings with tolerance capabilities of ±0.005 inch/inch.
Whether you’re still in the beginning stages or if you’re ready for production, our team of professionals is equipped to give you their full attention for your investment casting project. To request a quote or ask a question, contact us today!
Markets We Serve
Trusted by
Demanding Industries
Commercial Firearms & Military
Milwaukee Precision Casting, Inc. specializes in components for the firearm and gun industries through the investment casting process, producing military components, commonly for AR-15, M16, M240, and M249.
Power Transmission
Milwaukee Precision Casting, Inc. (MPC) is proud to serve the industry in many areas, producing power transmission component castings that pass stringent requirements for high-voltage substation power switching and storage equipment.
Medical
Investment castings used in medical-related applications require the highest degree of quality, cleanliness and surface finish.
Auto After Market
Milwaukee Precision Casting, Inc. has extensive exposure in the automotive aftermarket, the secondary market of the automotive industry. We specialize in the manufacturing of vehicle parts, tools, and accessories for light and heavy vehicles.
Food & Dairy
Milwaukee Precision Casting, Inc. plays a major role in the production of stainless steel investment castings used in the food & dairy industry.
Construction
Milwaukee Precision Casting, Inc. (MPC) produces construction component castings for tools and equipment used in the construction industry.
Meat Processing
Milwaukee Precision Casting, Inc. produces a wide array of standard and customized investment casting products for meat processing equipment, including meat grinder parts and special attachments for machinery.
Machine Tool
Milwaukee Precision Casting, Inc. produces quality investment castings for a wide range of applications in the machine tool industry.
Waste Management
Milwaukee Precision Casting, Inc. produces a wide array of standard and customized investment casting products for wastewater treatment equipment.
Mining
Milwaukee Precision Casting, Inc. has long supported the mining and earth-moving industry with mining investment castings built for tough, abrasive environments.
Logging
Milwaukee Precision Casting, Inc. produces a wide array of standard and customized investment casting solutions for the logging industry, including forestry equipment castings, heavy equipment castings, and off-highway machinery castings.
Oil & Gas
Investment castings used in the oil and gas industry must meet the highest standards of quality, durability, and corrosion resistance to withstand extreme operating conditions.Milwaukee Precision Casting produces stainless steel castings and A356 castings used in applications such as ramps, heavy-duty locks, flame and flow control, and even material removal fingers.
Utilities
Milwaukee Precision Casting, Inc. produces a wide array of standard and customized power generation investment castings for the utilities industry.
Agriculture
Agriculture equipment operates in tough, demanding environments, which is why investment castings have been a trusted solution in the industry for decades.
Petrochemical
At Milwaukee Precision Casting, Inc., we specialize in manufacturing high-performance investment castings for the petrochemical industry, where precision, durability, and safety are paramount.
Pumps & Valves
Milwaukee Precision Castings produces near-net shape, high-quality, durable investment castings for pumps and valves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
Before Requesting
a Quote
What process can be taken to improve surface finishes for A356 investment castings?
What are the advantages of A356 aluminum casts compared to other aluminum material grades?
Minimal Lead Time
Built for complex applications requiring repeatable accuracy and tight dimensional control across production runs.
Accuracy of ± .005 per inch
ISO-certified quality systems with advanced inspection and full traceability from tooling to delivery.
AMS 2175 Compliance
Fast RFQ response, efficient tooling development, and scalable production capacity to meet your schedule.
Competitive Pricing
Cast, machine, finish, and inspect under one roof — reducing lead times and supply chain complexity.
ISO 9001:2015 Certified
DFM reviews and casting optimization from experienced engineers who understand your application requirements.
Advanced Inspection
X-ray, MPI, FPI, HIPing, and dimensional validation ensure every component meets your spec before shipment.
Get a Quote
Request a Precision
Casting Quote
We cast a broad range of alloys — from corrosion-resistant stainless grades to
high-strength tool steels — engineered for demanding industrial, defense, and
energy applications.
Fast RFQ Response
Typical quote turnaround within 1–2 business days
Engineering Support
DFM review and casting optimization included with every quote
Scalable Production
Prototype to high-volume production capability
Full Technical Consultation
Material selection, tolerance review, and process recommendations
