Benchmark · 4 materials
Aluminum A356.2 vs Aluminum ZL205A vs Aluminum 319 vs Aluminum 355
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 | A356.2 | ZL205A | 319 | 355 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strengthMPa | 205 MPa30 ksi | 440 MPa64 ksi | 170 MPa25 ksi | 175 MPa25 ksi |
| Tensile strengthMPa | 290 MPa42 ksi | 500 MPa73 ksi | 250 MPa36 ksi | 240 MPa35 ksi |
| Specific strengthMPa·cm³/g | 76 | 155 | 61 | 65 |
| Densityg/cm³ | 2.68 g/cm³0.097 lb/in³ | 2.83 g/cm³0.102 lb/in³ | 2.79 g/cm³0.101 lb/in³ | 2.71 g/cm³0.098 lb/in³ |
| Hardness (HB equiv.)HB | 80 HB | 130 HB | 80 HB | 80 HB |
| Max service temp°C | 150 °C302 °F | 175 °C347 °F | 200 °C392 °F | 200 °C392 °F |
| Min service temp°C | -200 °C-328 °F | -100 °C-148 °F | -200 °C-328 °F | -200 °C-328 °F |
| Electrical conductivity% IACS | 43 % IACS24.9 MS/m | 29 % IACS16.8 MS/m | 36 % IACS20.9 MS/m | 40 % IACS23.2 MS/m |
| Machinability/100 | Good65 / 100 | Very good70 / 100 | Good60 / 100 | Good65 / 100 |
| Weldability/100 | Good60 / 100 | Fair45 / 100 | Good55 / 100 | Good55 / 100 |
| Formability/100 | Not recommended10 / 100 | Not recommended10 / 100 | Poor15 / 100 | Poor15 / 100 |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High | $ Budget | $ Budget |
| Processes | CNC | CNC | CNC | CNC |
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 strength205 MPa
50 MPafamily median 175 MPa468 MPa
Tensile strength290 MPa
110 MPafamily median 290 MPa525 MPa
Density2.68 g/cm³
2.66 g/cm³family median 2.71 g/cm³2.82 g/cm³
Hardness (HB equiv.)80 HB
28 HBfamily median 78 HB145 HB
Max service temp150 °C
100 °Cfamily median 150 °C200 °C
Electrical conductivity43 % IACS
29 % IACSfamily median 38 % IACS52 % IACS
Machinability65 / 100
45 / 100family median 60 / 10085 / 100
Relative cost35
16family median 2248
A356.2ZL205A319355
Strength versus weight
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | A356.2 | ZL205A | 319 | 355 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Default condition | T6 | T5 | — | — |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Showing 18 of 24 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.