Aluminum 2011 vs Alca 5
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 2011 and Alca 5 are both aluminum grades. 2011 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 296 MPa (42.9 ksi) against 83 MPa (12 ksi) for Alca 5, about 3.6 times as much; tensile strength follows at 379 MPa (55 ksi) vs 152 MPa (22 ksi). 2011 is the more ductile: elongation 15% versus 2% for Alca 5, and 2011 is harder (95 HB vs 65 HB). Alca 5 is lighter (2.71 g/cm³ vs 2.83 g/cm³ for 2011) and Alca 5 runs hotter in service (150°C vs 120°C continuous). On the shop floor, 2011 machines more easily (100 vs 88 out of 100), Alca 5 welds better (fair vs not recommended), and Alca 5 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.
Alca 5Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
2011 vs Alca 5: 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.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 70 GPa10.2 Msi · Shear Modulus 26 GPa3.8 Msi · Bulk Modulus 69 GPa10 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 Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb · Embodied Water 1,100 L/kg132 gal/lb
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 | Alca 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| 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. 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 Alca 5 — frequently asked
Is 2011 stronger than Alca 5?
Yes. 2011 has a typical yield strength of 296 MPa (42.9 ksi) against 83 MPa (12 ksi) for Alca 5 — about 3.6 times as much. Tensile strength is 379 MPa (55 ksi) vs 152 MPa (22 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 2011 or Alca 5?
Alca 5 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 Alca 5?
2011, by a small margin. Both rate excellent for machinability — 100/100 against 88/100 for Alca 5; for welding the order is Alca 5 first (fair, 45/100) then 2011 (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 2011 and Alca 5 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.