Aluminum 2011 vs 6020
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 2011 and 6020 are both aluminum grades, both machining-friendly al. 2011 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 379 MPa (55 ksi) against 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) for 6020, about 15% more. 2011 is the more ductile: elongation 15% versus 11% for 6020, and 6020 is harder (100 HB vs 95 HB). 6020 is lighter (2.7 g/cm³ vs 2.83 g/cm³ for 2011) and 6020 runs hotter in service (150°C vs 120°C continuous). On the shop floor, 6020 welds better (poor vs not recommended) and 6020 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 2011 (premium, $$$).
2011Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
6020Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
2011 vs 6020: 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
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 26 GPa3.8 Msi · 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)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Castability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 20%
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 | 2011 | 6020 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 0.8 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 16 finishes: Anodizing Type II, Cerakote, Chem Film (Alodine), DLC, E-Coating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE, Hard Anodizing Type III, Nickel Plating and 4 more.
2011 vs 6020 — frequently asked
Is 2011 stronger than 6020?
Yes. 2011 has a typical tensile strength of 379 MPa (55 ksi) against 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) for 6020 — about 15% more.
Which is cheaper, 2011 or 6020?
6020 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 2011 is premium ($$$). 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, 2011 or 6020?
2011, by a small margin. Both rate excellent for machinability — 100/100 against 92/100 for 6020; for welding the order is 6020 first (poor, 25/100) then 2011 (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 2011 and 6020 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.