6xx.x - Unused.

7xx.x - Zinc: This series is difficult to cast and so is used where finishing
or machinability is important. These alloys have moderate or better strengths
and good general corrosion resistance, but they are not suitable for elevated
temperatures.
8xx.x - Tin: This series is alloyed with about 6% tin and primarily used
for bearings, being superior to most other materials for this purpose. These
alloys are used for large rolling mill bearings and connecting rods and crankcase
bearings for diesel engines.
9xx.x - Others: This series is reserved for castings alloyed with elements
other than those used in series 1xx.x through 8.xx.
Before the Aluminum Association�s promulgation of this standard designation
system (also called the ANSI system, since the Association is the ANSI
registrar for it), the aluminum industry used other designations. Also, other
organizations such as the federal government, SAE, the U.S. military, and
ASTM, assigned still other designations to cast alloys. Even though ASTM
finally gave up in 1974, its designations and others are still used by some, so
don�t be alarmed if you occasionally encounter some strange cast alloy
designations.
(For example, 535.0 is still sometimes called Almag 35.) A crossreference
to former aluminum industry, federal, ASTM, SAE, and military
designations is provided in Standards for Aluminum Sand and Permanent
Mold Castings (AA-CS-M1-85) (23). ASTM B275, Standard Practice for
Codification of Certain Nonferrous Metals and Alloys, Cast and Wrought (55),
provides old ASTM designations.
Casting Processes Two kinds of molds are commonly used for castings with
construction applications, sand and permanent mold. Sand castings are addressed
by ASTM B26, Standard Specification for Aluminum-Alloy Sand
Castings (47), and use sand for the mold, which is usable only once. This
method is used for larger castings without intricate shapes and produced in
small quantities. Permanent mold castings (ASTM B108, Standard Specification
for Aluminum-Alloy Permanent Mold Castings (48)) are made by introducing
molten metal by gravity or low pressure into a mold made of some
durable material, such as iron or steel. Permanent mold castings are more
expensive but are held to tighter dimensional tolerances than sand castings,
and can produce parts with wall thicknesses as little as about 0.09 in. [2 mm].
Sand castings as large as 7,000 lb [3,000 kg] and permanent mold castings
as large as 400 lb [180 kg] have been produced in aluminum.
Some casting alloys can be made by only one process (sand or permanent
mold), while others can be produced by both methods. Generally, minimum
mechanical properties for an alloy that is sand cast are less than those of the
same alloy when produced by permanent mold. 356.0 and its higher purity
version A356.0 are by far the most commonly used cast alloys in non
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