Buyer note: confirm assumptions before quoting
Lead time, MOQ, yield, leak-test scope, machining scope, and landed cost depend on the drawing, alloy, inspection plan, annual volume, and destination market. For current supplier facts, review the supplier capability sheet or send an RFQ package.
# A356 vs ZL114 vs ADC12 Alloy Selection for Casting RFQs
Alloy selection should not be treated as a one-line price question. For a buyer preparing an aluminum casting RFQ, A356-T6, ZL114, and ADC12 affect the process route, wall thickness, heat-treatment plan, machining allowance, inspection records, coating, and approval path.
This guide is a practical RFQ framework. It helps procurement engineers, SQE teams, and product engineers describe the part well enough for a supplier to compare alloy and process fit. Final alloy approval should still follow the drawing, customer specification, standard, and validation plan.
If the decision is only A356 versus ADC12, use the focused A356 vs ADC12 RFQ guide. If you are still preparing files, pair this page with the quote readiness checklist and the casting process selection guide.
Fast RFQ Comparison
| RFQ factor | A356 or A356-T6 | ZL114 | ADC12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical sourcing question | Can the part support gravity or low-pressure casting with heat-treatment review? | Can a China-standard gravity casting route meet the drawing and inspection need? | Is high-pressure die casting a better fit for thin-wall, high-volume geometry? |
| Process fit | Gravity casting, low-pressure casting, sand casting, and heat-treatment-sensitive routes | Gravity casting or sand casting when the buyer accepts the standard and validation evidence | High-pressure die casting route for thin walls, ribs, bosses, and repeatable high-volume shapes |
| Heat treatment | Commonly reviewed for T5/T6 when specified | May be reviewed when the drawing and supplier process support it | Usually treated as an as-cast die-casting route unless a special process is documented |
| Buyer risk to define | Distortion, leak risk, machining sequence, material record, heat-treatment record | Standard equivalence, mechanical requirement, inspection records, coating environment | Porosity-sensitive machining, cosmetic surfaces, coating, trimming, ejector marks, die-cast validation |
| Useful RFQ evidence | Drawing, temper, leak test, CMM, material certificate, heat-treatment record | Drawing, accepted standard, mechanical requirement, CMM, material certificate | Drawing, wall thickness, annual volume, coating, machining, CMM or gauge checks |
The table is a screening tool, not a rule. A supplier should still review the actual geometry, annual volume, and approval requirements.
Start With Process Fit Before Alloy Cost
Many RFQs start with "please quote A356" or "please quote ADC12." That is often too thin for a reliable answer. A better first step is to tell the supplier what the part must do:
- •Does the part hold pressure, seal fluid, or face leak testing?
- •Are there machined bores, sealing faces, bearing seats, or datum surfaces?
- •Is heat treatment required by the drawing or customer standard?
- •Are there thin fins, ribs, bosses, or cosmetic surfaces that may favor die casting?
- •What inspection records are needed for approval: CMM, material certificate, FAI, PPAP, X-ray, pressure test, or traceability?
- •What is the annual volume and pilot quantity?
The alloy recommendation becomes more useful after those inputs are clear.
A356 And A356-T6: When To Discuss This Route
A356 is often discussed when the buyer needs gravity casting, low-pressure casting, sand casting, or a heat-treated route. It is a common starting point for pressure-sensitive housings, brackets, pump components, manifolds, and parts where machining and inspection records matter.
In an RFQ, include the expected temper if it is specified. A356-T6 assumptions can change tooling, heat-treatment fixture planning, machining sequence, distortion risk, and inspection evidence. If the drawing includes leak testing, sealing faces, fatigue-sensitive areas, or critical bores, define those requirements before asking for price.
Useful routes:
- •A356 material page
- •Gravity casting process
- •Low-pressure casting process
- •A356 casting plus CNC machining RFQ package
ZL114: When A China-Standard Gravity Route May Fit
ZL114 can be relevant when the buyer is open to a China-standard gravity casting route and the drawing or purchasing specification allows equivalent review. It may be discussed for industrial housings, pump and valve bodies, gearbox covers, and parts where the buyer needs a balance of mechanical properties, castability, and local standard alignment.
The important RFQ point is equivalence. Ask the supplier to state the standard, chemical composition target, heat-treatment assumption if any, mechanical-property evidence, and inspection records. Do not treat a local alloy name as interchangeable without buyer approval.
Useful routes:
ADC12: When To Compare Against A Die-Casting Route
ADC12 is usually discussed as a high-pressure die-casting alloy, especially for thin-wall housings, covers, brackets, motor parts, electronics enclosures, appliance components, and parts where cycle time and repeatable geometry matter.
For an ADC12 RFQ, define wall thickness, cosmetic surfaces, coating or plating, insert or thread needs, machining locations, and porosity-sensitive features. If the part has pressure, leak, fatigue, or structural approval requirements, ask the supplier to explain the die-cast validation plan instead of assuming the alloy name is enough.
Useful routes:
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Application-Based Selection Notes
Pump, valve, and pressure-sensitive housings
Start with the leak-test medium, pressure, hold time, acceptance criterion, sealing faces, machining datums, and inspection records. A356 or ZL114 may be a practical discussion route when heat treatment, feeding control, and CNC datums shape the quote. ADC12 may still be considered for some non-critical housings if the drawing and validation plan support a die-cast route.
Related route: A356-T6 pressure-tight pump housing RFQ.
Heat sinks and thermal-management castings
Start with the heat source, wattage or thermal target, contact area, airflow, fin height, fin thickness, base flatness, machining datums, coating, and inspection scope. Gravity casting may fit thicker thermal-management geometries, while die casting may fit thin fins and high-volume housings.
Related route: cast aluminum heat sink RFQ.
Brackets, covers, and mounting hardware
Start with load direction, mounting pattern, wall thickness, machining, coating, and inspection. Alloy selection should follow the duty level and approval route rather than a generic material preference.
Related route: electrical mounting bracket RFQ.
RFQ Worksheet
Use this worksheet when asking a supplier to compare A356, ZL114, and ADC12:
> Part name:
> Drawing revision:
> Target alloy or allowed equivalents:
> Required temper or heat treatment:
> Annual volume and pilot quantity:
> Preferred process or open-process note:
> Wall thickness and thin-feature concerns:
> Machining datums and critical dimensions:
> Leak, pressure, fatigue, or sealing requirement:
> Surface finish, coating, or cosmetic surface:
> Inspection records required:
> Approval route: FAI / PPAP / internal buyer approval / supplier recommendation
> Destination, Incoterm, and packaging requirement:
FAQ
Should I select A356, ZL114, or ADC12 from material cost alone?
No. Material cost is only one line in the quote. Tooling, machining, heat treatment, inspection, coating, scrap risk, logistics, and approval workload can change the landed-cost comparison.
Can ADC12 replace A356 in a gravity-casting RFQ?
Not automatically. ADC12 is usually discussed as a die-casting route, while A356 is commonly discussed for gravity or low-pressure casting and heat-treatment review. A switch should trigger a process and drawing review.
Is ZL114 acceptable for export RFQs?
It can be considered when the buyer allows the standard or approves an equivalent. The supplier should state the standard, composition target, heat-treatment assumption if any, mechanical evidence, and inspection records.
What should I send before asking for an alloy recommendation?
Send PDF and STEP files, annual volume, target alloy or accepted equivalents, machining scope, leak or pressure requirement, heat-treatment need, surface finish, inspection records, approval path, destination, and tooling status.
What is the next step for Bohua review?
Send the drawing package through the request quote form. Include whether the supplier may recommend A356, ZL114, ADC12, A380/A383, or another drawing-approved equivalent.
Buyer questions before RFQ
How should buyers choose A356, ZL114, ADC12, or another alloy before RFQ?
Start from the part function, strength and elongation needs, pressure or leak risk, heat-treatment requirement, corrosion exposure, machining allowance, surface finish, and annual volume. If the drawing allows equivalents, ask suppliers to explain the tradeoff instead of assuming one alloy is universal.
What alloy information should be included in a gravity casting RFQ?
Include the required standard or accepted equivalent, temper, mechanical properties if specified, pressure or leak expectations, machining datums, surface treatment, inspection records, and whether process selection is open for supplier review.
When should an alloy-selection RFQ route into an A356-T6 pump housing review?
Use the A356-T6 pump housing RFQ route when the part is a pump body or fluid-path housing with leak or pressure risk, machined sealing faces, bearing seats, T6 heat-treatment expectations, or CMM and material-record requirements.
How should buyers ask suppliers to compare A356, ZL114, and ADC12 fairly?
Send the same drawing package, annual volume, wall-thickness range, machining scope, inspection records, heat-treatment requirement, leak-test expectation, destination, and approval standard to each supplier. Ask each supplier to state the alloy, process route, and exclusions in the quote.
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