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Aluminum 2014 vs 7040

Aluminum · grade comparison

Aluminum 2014 and 7040 are both aluminum grades, both aerospace al. 7040 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 414 MPa (60 ksi) for 2014, about 9% more. In exchange, 2014 is the more ductile: elongation 13% versus 10% for 7040, and 7040 is harder (145 HB vs 135 HB). 2014 runs hotter in service (150°C vs 120°C continuous).

2014Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

7040Choose it when strength drives the design.

2014 vs 7040: properties

20147040

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

72.4 GPa10.5 Msi
71 GPa10.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

28 GPa4.1 Msi
26.9 GPa3.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

71 GPa10.3 Msi
75 GPa10.9 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

483 MPa70.1 ksi
505 MPa73.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

414 MPa60 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

13%
10%

Compressive Strength

425 MPa61.6 ksi
465 MPa67.4 ksi

Shear Strength

290 MPa42.1 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

125 MPa18.1 ksi
160 MPa23.2 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

24 MPa·√m21.8 ksi·√in
38 MPa·√m34.6 ksi·√in

Hardness, Brinell

135 HB
145 HB

Hardness, Vickers

145 HV
—

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

2.8 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
2.82 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

507°C945 °F
480°C896 °F

Liquidus Temperature

638°C1,180 °F
635°C1,175 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

155 W/m·K89.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
154 W/m·K89 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

864 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
860 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

22.5 µm/m·K12.5 µin/in·°F
23.4 µm/m·K13 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

150°C302 °F
120°C248 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 390 J/g168 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

40 % IACS
40.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

4.3×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.69 µΩ·in
4.26×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.68 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.78 V
-0.84 V

Corrosion Resistance

30 / 100
45 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

78 / 100
70 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

200%
90%

Weldability

25 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

30 / 100
25 / 100

Castability

25 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

15 / 100
10 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb
205 MJ/kg88,134 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

1,100 L/kg132 gal/lb
1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

20%
10%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 12.5 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

173 kN·m/kg
179 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.9 MN·m/kg
25.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,184 kJ/m³
1,426 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

64.1 mm²/s
63.5 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

46
47

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 scale20147040

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability20147040
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall0.8 mm0.5 mm
Best machined surfaceRa 0.8 µmRa 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.

2014 vs 7040 — frequently asked

Is 7040 stronger than 2014?

Yes. 7040 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 414 MPa (60 ksi) for 2014 — about 9% more. Tensile strength is 505 MPa (73.2 ksi) vs 483 MPa (70.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 2014 or 7040?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, 2014 or 7040?

2014, by a small margin. Both rate very good for machinability — 78/100 against 70/100 for 7040; for welding the order is 2014 first (poor, 25/100) then 7040 (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 2014 and 7040 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.