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Aluminum 355 vs ZL107

Aluminum · grade comparison

Aluminum 355 and ZL107 are both aluminum grades. Both yield at about 180 MPa — strength does not separate them. 355 is the more ductile: elongation 3% versus 2% for ZL107, and ZL107 is harder (95 HB vs 85 HB). ZL107 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 175°C continuous) and 355 conducts heat better (151 W/m·K vs 110 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 355 welds better (good vs fair) and 355 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than ZL107 (standard, $$).

355Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

ZL107Choose it when the part sees heat.

355 vs ZL107: properties

355ZL107

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

71 GPa10.3 Msi
74 GPa10.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

26.5 GPa3.8 Msi
27.5 GPa4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

69 GPa10 Msi
72 GPa10.4 Msi

Elongation at Break

3%
2%

Shear Strength

195 MPa28.3 ksi
185 MPa26.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

62 MPa9 ksi
75 MPa10.9 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

20 MPa·√m18.2 ksi·√in
18 MPa·√m16.4 ksi·√in

Hardness, Brinell

85 HB
95 HB

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
3 J2.2 ft·lbf

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 250 MPa36.3 ksi · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 180 MPa26.1 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

546°C1,015 °F
516°C961 °F

Liquidus Temperature

621°C1,150 °F
604°C1,119 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

151 W/m·K87.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
110 W/m·K63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

22.4 µm/m·K12.4 µin/in·°F
21.5 µm/m·K11.9 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

175°C347 °F
200°C392 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 963 J/kg·K0.23 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 389 J/g167 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

36 % IACS
27 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

4.8×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.89 µΩ·in
6.4×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.52 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.78 V
-0.81 V

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
40 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

62 / 100
65 / 100

Weldability

55 / 100
35 / 100

Formability (cold)

5 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

25 / 100
20 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 60% · Castability 85 / 100 · Polishability 45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb
150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

12 kg CO₂/kg
9.5 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

80%
60%

Same in both: Embodied Water 1,100 L/kg132 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

92 kN·m/kg
90 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.2 MN·m/kg
26.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

228 kJ/m³
219 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

57.9 mm²/s
41.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

24
17

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 scale355ZL107

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability355ZL107
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 ZL107 — frequently asked

What is the difference between 355 and ZL107?

Aluminum 355 and ZL107 are both aluminum grades. Both yield at about 180 MPa — strength does not separate them. 355 is the more ductile: elongation 3% versus 2% for ZL107, and ZL107 is harder (95 HB vs 85 HB).

Which is cheaper, 355 or ZL107?

355 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while ZL107 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 welds better, 355 or ZL107?

355. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against fair (35/100) for ZL107.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 355 and ZL107 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.