Aluminum 1100 vs ER4011
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 1100 and ER4011 are both aluminum grades. 1100 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for ER4011, about 15% more. 1100 is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 6% for ER4011, and ER4011 is harder (55 HB vs 32 HB). ER4011 runs hotter in service (150°C vs 120°C continuous) and 1100 conducts heat better (222 W/m·K vs 152 W/m·K). On the shop floor, ER4011 machines more easily (50 vs 38 out of 100) and 1100 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than ER4011 (premium, $$$).
1100Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
ER4011Choose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.
1100 vs ER4011: 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.83 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | 1100 | ER4011 |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
1100 vs ER4011 — frequently asked
Is 1100 stronger than ER4011?
Yes. 1100 has a typical yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for ER4011 — about 15% more. Tensile strength is 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) vs 185 MPa (26.8 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 1100 or ER4011?
1100 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while ER4011 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, 1100 or ER4011?
ER4011, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 38/100 for 1100; for welding the order is 1100 first (excellent, 95/100) then ER4011 (excellent, 90/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1100 and ER4011 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.