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Aluminum 355 vs C443.0

Aluminum · grade comparison

Aluminum 355 and C443.0 are both aluminum grades. 355 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C443.0, about 64% more; tensile strength follows at 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) vs 228 MPa (33.1 ksi). In exchange, C443.0 is the more ductile: elongation 9% versus 3% for 355, and 355 is harder (85 HB vs 65 HB). 355 runs hotter in service (175°C vs 150°C continuous). On the shop floor, 355 welds better (good vs fair) and 355 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than C443.0 (standard, $$).

355Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

C443.0Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

355 vs C443.0: properties

355C443.0

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

69 GPa10 Msi
70 GPa10.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
228 MPa33.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

180 MPa26.1 ksi
110 MPa16 ksi

Elongation at Break

3%
9%

Shear Strength

195 MPa28.3 ksi
145 MPa21 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

62 MPa9 ksi
55 MPa8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

20 MPa·√m18.2 ksi·√in
17 MPa·√m15.5 ksi·√in

Hardness, Brinell

85 HB
65 HB

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 71 GPa10.3 Msi · Shear Modulus 26.5 GPa3.8 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

2.71 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
2.69 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

546°C1,015 °F
577°C1,071 °F

Liquidus Temperature

621°C1,150 °F
632°C1,170 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

151 W/m·K87.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
142 W/m·K82 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

22.4 µm/m·K12.4 µin/in·°F
22 µm/m·K12.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

175°C347 °F
150°C302 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-195°C-319 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 963 J/kg·K0.23 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 389 J/g167 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

36 % IACS
37 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

4.8×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.89 µΩ·in
4.66×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.83 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.78 V
-0.83 V

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

62 / 100
55 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

60%
40%

Weldability

55 / 100
35 / 100

Formability (cold)

5 / 100
15 / 100

Castability

85 / 100
90 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

25 / 100
30 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Typical Recycled Content

80%
85%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 12 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 1,100 L/kg132 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

92 kN·m/kg
85 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.2 MN·m/kg
26.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

228 kJ/m³
85 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

57.9 mm²/s
54.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

24
21

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 scale355C443.0

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability355C443.0
CNC machiningYes—
Default condition——
Relative cost$ Budget$$ Standard
Min. machined wall0.5 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 0.8 µm—
Anodizing Type IIYes—
CerakoteYes—
Chem Film (Alodine)Yes—
DLCYes—
E-CoatingYes—
ElectropolishingYes—
Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFEYes—
Hard Anodizing Type IIIYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PTFE CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—
Powder CoatingYes—

They share 4 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Silver Plating.

355 vs C443.0 — frequently asked

Is 355 stronger than C443.0?

Yes. 355 has a typical yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C443.0 — about 64% more. Tensile strength is 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) vs 228 MPa (33.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 355 or C443.0?

355 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while C443.0 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, 355 or C443.0?

355, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 62/100 against 55/100 for C443.0; for welding the order is 355 first (good, 55/100) then C443.0 (fair, 35/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 355 and C443.0 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.