Benchmark · 4 materials
Aluminum 6351 vs Aluminum 6005 vs Aluminum 6005A vs Aluminum 6011
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 | 6351 | 6005 | 6005A | 6011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strengthMPa | 310 MPa45 ksi | 240 MPa35 ksi | 240 MPa35 ksi | 110 MPa16 ksi |
| Tensile strengthMPa | 340 MPa49 ksi | 260 MPa38 ksi | 270 MPa39 ksi | 240 MPa35 ksi |
| Specific strengthMPa·cm³/g | 114 | 89 | 89 | 41 |
| Densityg/cm³ | 2.71 g/cm³0.098 lb/in³ | 2.71 g/cm³0.098 lb/in³ | 2.7 g/cm³0.098 lb/in³ | 2.7 g/cm³0.098 lb/in³ |
| Hardness (HB equiv.)HB | 100 HB | 95 HB | 90 HB | 65 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 | 45 % IACS26.1 MS/m | 48 % IACS27.8 MS/m | 48 % IACS27.8 MS/m | 45 % IACS26.1 MS/m |
| Machinability/100 | Good60 / 100 | Very good70 / 100 | Good60 / 100 | Good60 / 100 |
| Weldability/100 | Very good80 / 100 | Very good80 / 100 | Excellent85 / 100 | Very good80 / 100 |
| Formability/100 | Very good75 / 100 | Fair50 / 100 | Very good75 / 100 | Very good75 / 100 |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard | $ 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 strength310 MPa
50 MPafamily median 175 MPa468 MPa
Tensile strength340 MPa
110 MPafamily median 290 MPa525 MPa
Density2.71 g/cm³
2.66 g/cm³family median 2.71 g/cm³2.82 g/cm³
Hardness (HB equiv.)100 HB
28 HBfamily median 78 HB145 HB
Max service temp150 °C
100 °Cfamily median 150 °C200 °C
Electrical conductivity45 % IACS
29 % IACSfamily median 38 % IACS52 % IACS
Machinability60 / 100
45 / 100family median 60 / 10085 / 100
Relative cost20
16family median 2248
635160056005A6011
Strength versus weight
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 6351 | 6005 | 6005A | 6011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.