Aluminum 319 vs ZL401
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 319 and ZL401 are both aluminum grades. ZL401 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) against 124 MPa (18 ksi) for 319, about 41% more; tensile strength follows at 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) vs 186 MPa (27 ksi). ZL401 is harder — 85 HB against 70 HB for 319 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 319 is lighter (2.79 g/cm³ vs 2.95 g/cm³ for ZL401) and 319 is stiffer (74 GPa vs 70 GPa). On the shop floor, 319 machines more easily (very good vs good), 319 welds better (good vs poor), and 319 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than ZL401 (standard, $$).
319Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
ZL401Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
319 vs ZL401: 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)
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Brinell
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Elongation at Break 2% · Shear Strength 150 MPa21.8 ksi · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 4 J3 ft·lbf
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).
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)
Castability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 25 / 100 · Polishability 40 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
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 | 319 | ZL401 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| 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.
319 vs ZL401 — frequently asked
Is ZL401 stronger than 319?
Yes. ZL401 has a typical yield strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) against 124 MPa (18 ksi) for 319 — about 41% more. Tensile strength is 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) vs 186 MPa (27 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 319 or ZL401?
319 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while ZL401 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, 319 or ZL401?
319. Its machinability rates very good (72/100) against good (55/100) for ZL401; for welding the order is 319 first (good, 55/100) then ZL401 (poor, 30/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 319 and ZL401 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.