Benchmark · 4 materials
Aluminum AlSi9Cu3 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 | AlSi9Cu3 | 6005 | 6005A | 6011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strengthMPaksi | — | 240 MPa35 ksi | 240 MPa35 ksi | 110 MPa16 ksi |
| Tensile strengthMPaksi | — | 260 MPa38 ksi | 270 MPa39 ksi | 240 MPa35 ksi |
| Specific strengthMPa·cm³/g | — | 89 | 89 | 41 |
| Densityg/cm³lb/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 | — | 95 HB | 90 HB | 65 HB |
| Max service temp°C°F | — | 150 °C302 °F | 150 °C302 °F | 150 °C302 °F |
| Min service temp°C°F | — | -200 °C-328 °F | -200 °C-328 °F | -200 °C-328 °F |
| Electrical conductivity% IACS | — | 48 % IACS27.8 MS/m | 48 % IACS27.8 MS/m | 45 % IACS26.1 MS/m |
| Machinability/100 | — | Very good70 / 100 | Good60 / 100 | Good60 / 100 |
| Weldability/100 | — | Very good80 / 100 | Excellent85 / 100 | Very good80 / 100 |
| Formability/100 | — | Fair50 / 100 | Very good75 / 100 | Very good75 / 100 |
| Relative cost | — | $$ 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 strength—
50 MPa7 ksifamily median 175 MPa25 ksi468 MPa68 ksi
Tensile strength—
110 MPa16 ksifamily median 290 MPa42 ksi525 MPa76 ksi
Density—
2.66 g/cm³0.096 lb/in³family median 2.71 g/cm³0.098 lb/in³2.82 g/cm³0.102 lb/in³
Hardness (HB equiv.)—
28 HBfamily median 78 HB145 HB
Max service temp—
100 °C212 °Ffamily median 150 °C302 °F200 °C392 °F
Electrical conductivity—
29 % IACSfamily median 38 % IACS52 % IACS
Machinability—
45 / 100family median 60 / 10085 / 100
Relative cost—
16family median 2248
AlSi9Cu360056005A6011
Strength versus weight
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | AlSi9Cu3 | 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 |
| Chemical Etching | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DLC | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dot Peen Marking | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| E-Coating | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electro-chemical Etching | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electroless Nickel (EN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Embossing / Debossing | — | 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 |
| Ink Stamping | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Laser Marking | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mechanical Engraving | — | 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.