Aluminum 356 vs 358.0
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 356 and 358.0 are both aluminum grades. 358.0 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) against 186 MPa (27 ksi) for 356, about 48% more; tensile strength follows at 345 MPa (50 ksi) vs 262 MPa (38 ksi). 358.0 is harder — 100 HB against 80 HB for 356 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. On the shop floor, 356 machines more easily (very good vs good) and 356 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 358.0 (premium, $$$).
356Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.
358.0Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
356 vs 358.0: 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
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Shear Modulus 27 GPa3.9 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Elongation at Break 5% · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 90 MPa13.1 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 557°C1,035 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 151 W/m·K87.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 963 J/kg·K0.23 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 21.5 µm/m·K11.9 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 150°C302 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 39 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 4.4×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.73 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.83 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 10 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 30 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 12.5 kg CO₂/kg
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 | 356 | 358.0 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$$ Premium |
| 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.
356 vs 358.0 — frequently asked
Is 358.0 stronger than 356?
Yes. 358.0 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) against 186 MPa (27 ksi) for 356 — about 48% more. Tensile strength is 345 MPa (50 ksi) vs 262 MPa (38 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 356 or 358.0?
356 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 358.0 is premium ($$$). 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, 356 or 358.0?
356. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against good (60/100) for 358.0; for welding the order is 356 first (very good, 78/100) then 358.0 (very good, 70/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 356 and 358.0 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.