A L U M I N I U M & Z I N C F O U N D R Y
0121 553 1911
Alloys Supplied
Alloy Properties Matter!
Choose the right alloy for your application. If it's corrosion resistance, ductility, high strength, conductivity or a combination of several factors, we can advise on the right alloy.
Our aluminium foundry offers a comprehensive range of casting alloys to meet the demands of diverse industries and applications. From highly corrosion-resistant grades to high-strength, heat-treatable alloys, we select the most suitable material to ensure every casting delivers the required performance, durability, and reliability.
LM 0
LM0 – High levels of: Purity, Corrosion Resistance and Conductivity
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Electrical components – busbars, terminals, and conductive fittings
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Chemical and food processing equipment – tanks, fittings, and components requiring corrosion resistance
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Architectural and decorative castings – panels, trims, and ornamental parts
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Reflective components – lighting and optical housings due to good surface finish and reflectivity
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Corrosion-resistant fittings – parts exposed to moisture or mild chemical environments
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Low-load engineering components – covers, housings, and non-structural parts
LM4
LM4 – Reliable Strength for General Engineering Castings
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​​Good mechanical strength in the as-cast condition
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Reliable pressure-tight performance
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Good machinability for precision finishing
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Versatility for a wide range of engineering applications in the as-cast condition.
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Automotive components – gearbox housings, clutch housings, and engine parts
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Pump and compressor components – casings, housings, and covers
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Hydraulic equipment – valve bodies and system components
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General engineering castings – brackets, housings, and machine parts
LM6
LM6: The Industry Standard for Corrosion-Resistant Castings.
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Outstanding corrosion resistance – performs exceptionally well in marine, chemical, and outdoor environments.
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Excellent castability – flows easily into complex moulds, producing intricate and high-quality castings.
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Pressure-tight performance – ideal for leak-critical components such as housings, pumps, and valves.
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Smooth, high-quality surface finish – delivers attractive castings with minimal finishing required.
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Good strength-to-weight ratio – lightweight yet durable for demanding applications.
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Highly resistant to hot cracking – reliable casting integrity even in complex shapes.
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Good machinability – allows precise finishing and secondary operations.
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Naturally durable – retains performance without the need for heat treatment.
LM9
LM9 - High Silicon Alloy for Pressure-Tight Castings
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LM9 is a high silicon aluminium alloy that is known for it's excellent fluidity so is suited to casting complex, thin-walled castings and is pressure tight in the as-cast condition.
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​It is an alloy widely associated with fluid carrying vessels, pressure-tight valves bodies and pumps.
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It is a dense alloy, as-cast so any casting in this grade will have a long service life.
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It's high silicon content gives the alloy excellent levels of wear and corrosion resistance.
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Not as corrosion resistant as LM6 but it has higher tensile strengths and is easier to machine.
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LM9 is often known for its balanced mechanical properties and partially bridges the gap between hyper and hypo eutectic aluminium alloys.
LM13
LM13 - The Durable, Heat & Wear Resistant Alloy for Automotive Castings
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LM13 is a very high silicon alloy known for it's ability to endure repeated heat cycles such as pistons and engine casings. ​
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Retains strength at 200–250 °C making it suitable for engine components exposed to high temperatures
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11–14% silicon content - provides excellent wear and scuff resistance
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The addition of Nickel improves high-temperature strength and fatigue resistance
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Responds well to T6 heat treatment further increasing tensile strength and hardness
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Low thermal expansion provides better dimensional stability in pistons and hot components
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Good seizure resistance in sliding parts. Silicon particles act as a slip plane.
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High silicon increases fluidity for complex, thin mould sections.
LM25
LM25 – Heat-Treatable Strength for General Engineering Castings
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High strength aluminium casting alloy – especially when heat treated
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Heat-treatable (T6 condition) for significantly improved mechanical performance
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Good strength-to-weight ratio – strong yet lightweight for structural components
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Good ductility and wear resistance compared with many casting alloy.
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Good machinability for accurate finishing and secondary operations
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Reliable performance in demanding engineering applications
LM27
LM27 – Copper Enhanced for Excellent Heat & Wear Resistance.
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Where as LM25 has very low copper levels, LM27 contains between 2- and 3%.
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This makes LM27 ideal for castings operating in elevated temperature environments.
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Copper has a number of advantages in the properties of this Al-Si alloy:
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The formation of Al2Cu, increases hardness​
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Improves wear resistance.
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Provides much lower deformation underload
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Strengthens the matrix and holds silicon
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LM31
LM31 – When Pure Strength Matters - High Tensile Aluminium/ Zinc Alloy
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Very high strength – Zn–Mg precipitation hardening (MgZnâ‚‚) gives higher strength than alloys like LM27.
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Excellent strength-to-weight ratio – ideal for lightweight structural components.
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Heat-treatable alloy – properties can be significantly improved through solution treatment and ageing.
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Trade-off: lower ductility – higher strength reduces its ability to plastically deform.
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Trade-off: poorer castability – lower silicon content makes casting more difficult and increases cracking risk.
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Trade-off: lower wear resistance – lack of silicon particles means it performs worse in sliding or abrasive environments.
A356
A356 – Premium Lightweight Alloy for High Integrity Components
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High strength-to-weight ratio – delivers strong, durable components while keeping weight low
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Excellent heat-treatable performance – can be strengthened significantly through T6 heat treatment
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Good ductility and toughness – performs well in structural and load-bearing applications
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Excellent castability – produces complex shapes with consistent quality
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Pressure-tight capability – ideal for components such as pump housings and structural parts
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Good machinability – allows accurate finishing and secondary operations
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Widely proven alloy – trusted across aerospace, automotive, and engineering industries
A357
A357 – Premium Lightweight Alloy where Strength is a Critical Requirement
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Higher magnesium content in A357 (typically ~0.4–0.7%) compared with A356 (~0.25–0.45%).
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Higher mechanical strength than A356 – excellent for demanding structural applications
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Heat-treatable alloy – develops very high strength in the T6 condition
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Excellent strength-to-weight ratio – strong yet lightweight for performance-critical components
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Good ductility and toughness – maintains reliability under load and stress
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Very good castability – capable of producing complex, high-quality castings
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Good corrosion resistance – suitable for marine and outdoor environments
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High integrity casting performance – ideal for critical engineering components
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Widely used in aerospace and high-performance applications
Zinc Castings - Die & Sand
Zn21 Zinc
Zn21 – When Maximum Corrosion Resistance, Precision & Aesthetics Matter Most
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Excellent castability – flows easily into complex molds, ideal for high-volume die casting
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High dimensional accuracy – holds tight tolerances with minimal machining
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Good strength & hardness – tougher than many standard zinc alloys
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Smooth surface finish – perfect for plating (chrome, nickel, paint)
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Automotive parts – handles, lock components, brackets, trim hardware
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Electrical & electronics – connector housings, shielding enclosures
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Hardware & fittings – hinges, latches, knobs, plumbing fixtures
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Consumer products – appliance parts, decorative trims
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Precision components – small gears, levers, linkages