Aluminum 3005 vs 3102
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 3005 and 3102 are both aluminum grades. 3005 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) against 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) for 3102, about 4.4 times as much; tensile strength follows at 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) vs 90 MPa (13.1 ksi). In exchange, 3102 is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 5% for 3005, and 3005 is harder (48 HB vs 23 HB). 3102 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 120°C continuous) and 3102 conducts heat better (215 W/m·K vs 163 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 3005 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and 3005 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 3102 (standard, $$).
3005Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
3102Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
3005 vs 3102: 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
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 69 GPa10 Msi · Shear Modulus 26 GPa3.8 Msi · Bulk Modulus 70 GPa10.2 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)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 397 J/g171 BTU/lb
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
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 30%
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb · Typical Recycled Content 35%
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 | 3005 | 3102 |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| 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.
3005 vs 3102 — frequently asked
Is 3005 stronger than 3102?
Yes. 3005 has a typical yield strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) against 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) for 3102 — about 4.4 times as much. Tensile strength is 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) vs 90 MPa (13.1 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 3005 or 3102?
3005 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 3102 is standard ($$). 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, 3005 or 3102?
3005. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (25/100) for 3102; for welding the order is 3102 first (excellent, 90/100) then 3005 (excellent, 85/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 3005 and 3102 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.