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Aluminum 1085 vs 1145

Aluminum · grade comparison

Aluminum 1085 and 1145 are both aluminum grades. 1145 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) for 1085, about 6.8 times as much; tensile strength follows at 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) vs 65 MPa (9.43 ksi). In exchange, 1085 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 4% for 1145, and 1145 is harder (42 HB vs 19 HB). 1085 runs hotter in service (150°C vs 100°C continuous). On the shop floor, 1145 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 1085 (premium, $$$).

1085Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

1145Choose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.

1085 vs 1145: properties

10851145

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

65 MPa9.4 ksi
165 MPa23.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

22 MPa3.2 ksi
150 MPa21.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
4%

Reduction in Area

85%
—

Shear Strength

48 MPa7 ksi
95 MPa13.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

20 MPa2.9 ksi
60 MPa8.7 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

19 HB
42 HB

Hardness, Vickers

21 HV
—

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 69 GPa10 Msi · Shear Modulus 26 GPa3.8 Msi · Bulk Modulus 75 GPa10.9 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Same in both: Density 2.7 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³ · 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

234 W/m·K135 BTU/hr·ft·°F
230 W/m·K133 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

150°C302 °F
100°C212 °F

Min Service Temperature

-250°C-418 °F
-270°C-454 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 900 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 23.6 µm/m·K13.1 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 397 J/g171 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

62.5 % IACS
60 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.76×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.09 µΩ·in
2.87×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.13 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.85 V
-0.84 V

Corrosion Resistance

78 / 100
72 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
30 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
45%

Formability (cold)

97 / 100
40 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

95 / 100
80 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 90 / 100 · Castability 35 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

215 MJ/kg92,433 BTU/lb
205 MJ/kg88,134 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

13 kg CO₂/kg
12.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

3%
15%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

24 kN·m/kg
61 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

4 kJ/m³
163 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

96.3 mm²/s
94.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

9
23

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 25.6 MN·m/kg

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 scale11451085

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability10851145
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$ Premium$ Budget
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——
Anodizing Type II—Yes
Cerakote—Yes
Chem Film (Alodine)—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.

1085 vs 1145 — frequently asked

Is 1145 stronger than 1085?

Yes. 1145 has a typical yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) for 1085 — about 6.8 times as much. Tensile strength is 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) vs 65 MPa (9.43 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1085 or 1145?

1145 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 1085 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, 1085 or 1145?

1145, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for 1085.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1085 and 1145 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.