Benchmark · 4 materials
Aluminum AC4CH vs Aluminum 6005 vs Aluminum 6005A vs Aluminum 6011
Side-by-side benchmark of 4 aluminum grades.
PropertiesHow to read this table
- The best value in each row is in bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the default condition (temper / grade as listed).
- Relative cost is a market tier, not a price — it moves with region and volume.
- Confirm against the certified mill / resin datasheet before design release.
How to read this table
- The best value in each row is in bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the default condition (temper / grade as listed).
- Relative cost is a market tier, not a price — it moves with region and volume.
- Confirm against the certified mill / resin datasheet before design release.
| Property | AC4CH | 6005 | 6005A | 6011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strengthMPaksi | 210 MPa30 ksi | 245 MPa36 ksi | 235 MPa34 ksi | 330 MPa48 ksi |
| Tensile strengthMPaksi | 280 MPa41 ksi | 270 MPa39 ksi | 275 MPa40 ksi | 380 MPa55 ksi |
| Elongation at break% | 8 % | 11 % | 11 % | 12 % |
| Elastic modulus (Young's)GPaMsi | 72.4 GPa10.5 Msi | 69 GPa10 Msi | 69.5 GPa10.1 Msi | 69 GPa10 Msi |
| Specific strengthMPa·cm³/g | 78 | 91 | 87 | 121 |
| Densityg/cm³lb/in³ | 2.68 g/cm³0.097 lb/in³ | 2.7 g/cm³0.098 lb/in³ | 2.7 g/cm³0.098 lb/in³ | 2.72 g/cm³0.098 lb/in³ |
| Hardness (HB equiv.)HB | 85 HB | 85 HB | 95 HB | 110 HB |
| Max service temp°C°F | 150 °C302 °F | 150 °C302 °F | 150 °C302 °F | 150 °C302 °F |
| Min service temp°C°F | -196 °C-321 °F | -196 °C-321 °F | -196 °C-321 °F | -196 °C-321 °F |
| Thermal conductivityW/m·KBTU/hr·ft·°F | 151 W/m·K87.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F | 188 W/m·K108.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F | 190 W/m·K109.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F | 165 W/m·K95.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F |
| Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·Kµin/in·°F | 21.5 µm/m·K11.9 µin/in·°F | 23.4 µm/m·K13 µin/in·°F | 23 µm/m·K12.8 µin/in·°F | 23.4 µm/m·K13 µin/in·°F |
| Electrical conductivity% IACS | 39 % IACS22.6 MS/m | 49 % IACS28.4 MS/m | 49 % IACS28.4 MS/m | 42 % IACS24.4 MS/m |
| Machinability/100 | Good60 / 100 | Good55 / 100 | Good62 / 100 | Very good82 / 100 |
| Weldability/100 | Very good75 / 100 | Very good80 / 100 | Excellent85 / 100 | Fair45 / 100 |
| Formability/100 | Poor15 / 100 | Fair40 / 100 | Fair40 / 100 | Fair45 / 100 |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard | $ Budget | $ Budget |
| Processes | 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 strength210 MPa30 ksi
80 MPa12 ksifamily median 195 MPa28 ksi430 MPa62 ksi
Tensile strength280 MPa41 ksi
145 MPa21 ksifamily median 275 MPa40 ksi490 MPa71 ksi
Density2.68 g/cm³0.097 lb/in³
2.65 g/cm³0.096 lb/in³family median 2.71 g/cm³0.098 lb/in³2.82 g/cm³0.102 lb/in³
Hardness (HB equiv.)85 HB
41 HBfamily median 85 HB140 HB
Max service temp150 °C302 °F
100 °C212 °Ffamily median 150 °C302 °F200 °C392 °F
Elastic modulus (Young's)72.4 GPa
69 GPafamily median 71 GPa76 GPa
Elongation at break8 %
1.5 %family median 9 %20 %
Thermal conductivity151 W/m·K
109 W/m·Kfamily median 140 W/m·K200 W/m·K
Electrical conductivity39 % IACS
26 % IACSfamily median 35 % IACS50 % IACS
Machinability60 / 100
30 / 100family median 60 / 10078 / 100
Relative cost25
18family median 2570
AC4CH60056005A6011
Strength versus weight
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | AC4CH | 6005 | 6005A | 6011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Default condition | — | — | — | — |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | 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 |
| Anodizing Type II | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cerakote | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chem Film (Alodine) | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DLC | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| E-Coating | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electroless Nickel (EN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Epoxy Coating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gold Plating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hard Anodizing Type III | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PTFE Coating | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Powder Coating | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Silver Plating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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.