Benchmark · 4 materials
Aluminum 4045 vs Aluminum 2218 vs Aluminum 2618 vs Aluminum 4006
All aluminum grades — bands show the family's 10th–90th percentile. The best value in each row is in bold; metric first, imperial in gray.
Properties
| Property | 4045 | 2218 | 2618 | 4006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strengthMPa | 40 MPa6 ksi | 250 MPa36 ksi | 370 MPa54 ksi | 90 MPa13 ksi |
| Tensile strengthMPa | 110 MPa16 ksi | 405 MPa59 ksi | 440 MPa64 ksi | 175 MPa25 ksi |
| Specific strengthMPa·cm³/g | 15 | 89 | 134 | 33 |
| Densityg/cm³ | 2.67 g/cm³0.096 lb/in³ | 2.81 g/cm³0.102 lb/in³ | 2.76 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³ | 2.71 g/cm³0.098 lb/in³ |
| Hardness (HB equiv.)HB | 25 HB | 115 HB | 115 HB | 50 HB |
| Max service temp°C | 250 °C482 °F | 250 °C482 °F | 300 °C572 °F | 200 °C392 °F |
| Min service temp°C | -200 °C-328 °F | -200 °C-328 °F | -200 °C-328 °F | -200 °C-328 °F |
| Electrical conductivity% IACS | 38 % IACS22 MS/m | 36 % IACS20.9 MS/m | 29 % IACS16.8 MS/m | 48 % IACS27.8 MS/m |
| Machinability/100 | Fair45 / 100 | Good60 / 100 | Good60 / 100 | Good60 / 100 |
| Weldability/100 | Excellent100 / 100 | Not recommended10 / 100 | Not recommended10 / 100 | Excellent95 / 100 |
| Formability/100 | Excellent85 / 100 | Poor30 / 100 | Poor30 / 100 | Very good80 / 100 |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium | $ Budget |
| Processes | Sheet | CNC, Sheet | CNC, Sheet | Sheet |
Where each grade sits
One track per property; coloured markers are the compared grades, the shaded band is the aluminum family 10th–90th percentile and the tick its median.
Yield strength40 MPa
50 MPafamily median 175 MPa468 MPa
Tensile strength110 MPa
110 MPafamily median 290 MPa525 MPa
Density2.67 g/cm³
2.66 g/cm³family median 2.71 g/cm³2.82 g/cm³
Hardness (HB equiv.)25 HB
28 HBfamily median 78 HB145 HB
Max service temp250 °C
100 °Cfamily median 150 °C200 °C
Electrical conductivity38 % IACS
29 % IACSfamily median 38 % IACS52 % IACS
Machinability45 / 100
45 / 100family median 60 / 10085 / 100
Relative cost24
16family median 2248
4045221826184006
Strength versus weight
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 4045 | 2218 | 2618 | 4006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CNC machining | — | Yes | Yes | — |
| Default condition | — | — | — | — |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 0.8 µm | — |
| Heat treatments | Age T6 (Aluminum), Age T651 (Aluminum), Full Anneal | Age T6 (Aluminum), Age T651 (Aluminum), Full Anneal | Age T6 (Aluminum), Age T651 (Aluminum), Full Anneal | Age T6 (Aluminum), Age T651 (Aluminum), Full Anneal |
| Anodizing Type II | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cerakote | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chem Film (Alodine) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chemical Etching | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DLC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dot Peen Marking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| E-Coating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electro-chemical Etching | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electroless Nickel (EN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electropolishing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Embossing / Debossing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Epoxy Coating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gold Plating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hard Anodizing Type III | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ink Stamping | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Laser Marking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mechanical Engraving | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Showing 18 of 25 finishes — the full list is on each grade's datasheet.
Typical handbook values for the default condition, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.