FabDigit

Aluminum AC9B vs AC2A vs AC2B vs AC3A

Benchmark · 4 materials

Side-by-side benchmark of 4 aluminum grades.

AC9B vs AC2A and 2 more: properties

AC9BAC2AAC2BAC3A

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

82 GPa11.9 Msi
74 GPa10.7 Msi
74 GPa10.7 Msi
71 GPa10.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

31 GPa4.5 Msi
27.5 GPa4 Msi
28 GPa4.1 Msi
26.5 GPa3.8 Msi

Bulk Modulus

76 GPa11 Msi
72 GPa10.4 Msi
71 GPa10.3 Msi
70 GPa10.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

220 MPa31.9 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi
180 MPa26.1 ksi
165 MPa23.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

200 MPa29 ksi
170 MPa24.7 ksi
110 MPa16 ksi
75 MPa10.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

0.5%
2%
2%
6%

Compressive Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
115 MPa16.7 ksi

Shear Strength

155 MPa22.5 ksi
165 MPa23.9 ksi
145 MPa21 ksi
115 MPa16.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

90 MPa13.1 ksi
75 MPa10.9 ksi
70 MPa10.2 ksi
55 MPa8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

15 MPa·√m13.7 ksi·√in
18 MPa·√m16.4 ksi·√in
17 MPa·√m15.5 ksi·√in
15 MPa·√m13.7 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

2 J1.1 ft·lbf
3 J2.2 ft·lbf
4 J3 ft·lbf
3 J2.2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

140 HB
85 HB
70 HB
50 HB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

2.68 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
2.79 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
2.77 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
2.66 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

507°C945 °F
516°C961 °F
516°C961 °F
574°C1,065 °F

Liquidus Temperature

670°C1,238 °F
604°C1,119 °F
604°C1,119 °F
582°C1,080 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

130 W/m·K75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
110 W/m·K63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
109 W/m·K63 BTU/hr·ft·°F
130 W/m·K75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

880 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
963 J/kg·K0.23 BTU/lb·°F
963 J/kg·K0.23 BTU/lb·°F
963 J/kg·K0.23 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17.8 µm/m·K9.9 µin/in·°F
21.5 µm/m·K11.9 µin/in·°F
21.5 µm/m·K11.9 µin/in·°F
20.5 µm/m·K11.4 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

425 J/g183 BTU/lb
389 J/g167 BTU/lb
389 J/g167 BTU/lb
389 J/g167 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

250°C482 °F
175°C347 °F
150°C302 °F
150°C302 °F

Min Service Temperature

-80°C-112 °F
-196°C-321 °F
-196°C-321 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

25 % IACS
27 % IACS
27 % IACS
33 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6.9×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.72 µΩ·in
6.4×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.52 µΩ·in
6.4×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.52 µΩ·in
5.2×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.05 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.8 V
-0.75 V
-0.81 V
-0.83 V

Corrosion Resistance

48 / 100
42 / 100
42 / 100
58 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

28 / 100
72 / 100
65 / 100
40 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

40%
70%
130%
30%

Weldability

22 / 100
35 / 100
35 / 100
80 / 100

Formability (cold)

3 / 100
10 / 100
5 / 100
10 / 100

Castability

70 / 100
75 / 100
85 / 100
95 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

20 / 100
25 / 100
20 / 100
35 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
40 / 100
40 / 100
45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

155 MJ/kg66,638 BTU/lb
200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb
200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb
200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

10.5 kg CO₂/kg
12 kg CO₂/kg
12 kg CO₂/kg
12 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

1,100 L/kg132 gal/lb
1,150 L/kg138 gal/lb
1,150 L/kg138 gal/lb
1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

55%
80%
85%
70%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

82 kN·m/kg
90 kN·m/kg
65 kN·m/kg
62 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

30.6 MN·m/kg
26.5 MN·m/kg
26.7 MN·m/kg
26.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

244 kJ/m³
195 kJ/m³
82 kJ/m³
40 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

55.1 mm²/s
40.9 mm²/s
40.9 mm²/s
50.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

20
17
12
15

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

20501002005002.22.42.62.83Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleAC2AAC2BAC3AAC9B

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAC9BAC2AAC2BAC3A
Default condition
Relative cost$$ Standard$$ Standard$$ Standard$$ Standard
Min. machined wall
Best machined surface

Both take the same 4 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Silver Plating.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AC9B and AC2A side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.