Benchmark · 4 materials
Aluminum 7040 vs Aluminum 2014 vs Aluminum 2024 vs Aluminum 2117
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 | 7040 | 2014 | 2024 | 2117 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strengthMPa | 480 MPa70 ksi | 415 MPa60 ksi | 325 MPa47 ksi | 165 MPa24 ksi |
| Tensile strengthMPa | 545 MPa79 ksi | 485 MPa70 ksi | 470 MPa68 ksi | 295 MPa43 ksi |
| Specific strengthMPa·cm³/g | 170 | 148 | 117 | 60 |
| Densityg/cm³ | 2.82 g/cm³0.102 lb/in³ | 2.8 g/cm³0.101 lb/in³ | 2.78 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³ | 2.75 g/cm³0.099 lb/in³ |
| Hardness (HB equiv.)HB | 155 HB | 135 HB | 120 HB | 70 HB |
| Max service temp°C | 120 °C248 °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 | 38 % IACS22 MS/m | 33 % IACS19.1 MS/m | 29 % IACS16.8 MS/m | 40 % IACS23.2 MS/m |
| Machinability/100 | Excellent85 / 100 | Very good70 / 100 | Excellent90 / 100 | Good65 / 100 |
| Weldability/100 | Poor25 / 100 | Not recommended10 / 100 | Not recommended10 / 100 | Poor25 / 100 |
| Formability/100 | Fair35 / 100 | Poor25 / 100 | Poor30 / 100 | Good55 / 100 |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium |
| 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 strength480 MPa
50 MPafamily median 175 MPa468 MPa
Tensile strength545 MPa
110 MPafamily median 290 MPa525 MPa
Density2.82 g/cm³
2.66 g/cm³family median 2.71 g/cm³2.82 g/cm³
Hardness (HB equiv.)155 HB
28 HBfamily median 78 HB145 HB
Max service temp120 °C
100 °Cfamily median 150 °C200 °C
Electrical conductivity38 % IACS
29 % IACSfamily median 38 % IACS52 % IACS
Machinability85 / 100
45 / 100family median 60 / 10085 / 100
Relative cost42
16family median 2248
7040201420242117
Strength versus weight
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 7040 | 2014 | 2024 | 2117 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sheet metal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Default condition | — | — | T3 | — |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | 0.8 mm | 0.8 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.