Benchmark · 4 materials
Aluminum 6101 vs Aluminum 1070 vs Aluminum 1080 vs Aluminum 1090
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 | 6101 | 1070 | 1080 | 1090 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strengthMPa | 195 MPa28 ksi | 30 MPa4 ksi | 35 MPa5 ksi | 25 MPa4 ksi |
| Tensile strengthMPa | 220 MPa32 ksi | 80 MPa12 ksi | 90 MPa13 ksi | 70 MPa10 ksi |
| Specific strengthMPa·cm³/g | 72 | 11 | 13 | 9 |
| Densityg/cm³ | 2.7 g/cm³0.098 lb/in³ | 2.7 g/cm³0.098 lb/in³ | 2.7 g/cm³0.098 lb/in³ | 2.7 g/cm³0.098 lb/in³ |
| Hardness (HB equiv.)HB | 71 HB | 20 HB | 22 HB | 16 HB |
| Max service temp°C | 150 °C302 °F | 150 °C302 °F | 150 °C302 °F | 150 °C302 °F |
| Min service temp°C | -200 °C-328 °F | -200 °C-328 °F | -200 °C-328 °F | -200 °C-328 °F |
| Electrical conductivity% IACS | 57 % IACS33.1 MS/m | 62 % IACS36 MS/m | 63 % IACS36.5 MS/m | 64 % IACS37.1 MS/m |
| Machinability/100 | Good65 / 100 | Fair35 / 100 | Fair35 / 100 | Poor32 / 100 |
| Weldability/100 | Excellent85 / 100 | Excellent100 / 100 | Excellent100 / 100 | Excellent100 / 100 |
| Formability/100 | Good65 / 100 | Excellent100 / 100 | Excellent100 / 100 | Excellent100 / 100 |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget | $ Budget | $ Budget |
| Processes | CNC, Sheet | CNC, Sheet | CNC, Sheet | CNC, 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 strength195 MPa
50 MPafamily median 175 MPa468 MPa
Tensile strength220 MPa
110 MPafamily median 290 MPa525 MPa
Density2.7 g/cm³
2.66 g/cm³family median 2.71 g/cm³2.82 g/cm³
Hardness (HB equiv.)71 HB
28 HBfamily median 78 HB145 HB
Max service temp150 °C
100 °Cfamily median 150 °C200 °C
Electrical conductivity57 % IACS
29 % IACSfamily median 38 % IACS52 % IACS
Machinability65 / 100
45 / 100family median 60 / 10085 / 100
Relative cost24
16family median 2248
6101107010801090
Strength versus weight
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 6101 | 1070 | 1080 | 1090 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sheet metal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Default condition | — | — | — | — |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 0.8 µm | 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.