Aluminum 1060 vs 1080A
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 1060 and 1080A are both aluminum grades. 1060 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) against 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) for 1080A, about 40% more. On the shop floor, 1060 machines more easily (32 vs 20 out of 100) and 1060 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 1080A (premium, $$$).
1060Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
1060 vs 1080A: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all aluminum grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all aluminum grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Bulk Modulus
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 69 GPa10 Msi · Shear Modulus 26 GPa3.8 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 70 MPa10.2 ksi · Hardness, Brinell 19 HB · Hardness, Vickers 21 HV
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 646°C1,195 °F · Liquidus Temperature 657°C1,215 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 900 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 397 J/g171 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · Min Service Temperature -269°C-452 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 62 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 2.78×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.09 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.84 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Castability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 30%
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 26 kN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 10
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 1060 | 1080A |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | — |
| Anodizing Type II | Yes | — |
| Cerakote | Yes | — |
| Chem Film (Alodine) | Yes | — |
| DLC | Yes | — |
| E-Coating | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE | Yes | — |
| Hard Anodizing Type III | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Powder Coating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
1060 vs 1080A — frequently asked
Is 1060 stronger than 1080A?
Yes. 1060 has a typical yield strength of 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) against 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) for 1080A — about 40% more. Tensile strength is 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) vs 70 MPa (10.2 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 1060 or 1080A?
1060 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 1080A is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, 1060 or 1080A?
1060, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 32/100 against 20/100 for 1080A.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1060 and 1080A 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.