Aluminum 356 vs A356.2
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 356 and A356.2 are both aluminum grades. Both yield at about 186 MPa — strength does not separate them. On the shop floor, 356 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than A356.2 (premium, $$$).
356Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.
356 vs A356.2: 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.
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 72.4 GPa10.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 27 GPa3.9 Msi · Bulk Modulus 71 GPa10.3 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 262 MPa38 ksi · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 186 MPa27 ksi · Elongation at Break 5% · Compressive Strength 190 MPa27.6 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 90 MPa13.1 ksi · Hardness, Brinell 80 HB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 557°C1,035 °F · Liquidus Temperature 613°C1,135 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
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 · Latent Heat of Fusion 389 J/g167 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 150°C302 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
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
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 10 / 100 · Castability 95 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 98 kN·m/kg · Modulus of Resilience 239 kJ/m³ · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 25
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 | A356.2 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | T6 |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 0.8 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining. Both take the same 16 finishes: Anodizing Type II, Cerakote, Chem Film (Alodine), DLC, E-Coating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE, Hard Anodizing Type III, Nickel Plating and 4 more.
356 vs A356.2 — frequently asked
What is the difference between 356 and A356.2?
Aluminum 356 and A356.2 are both aluminum grades. Both yield at about 186 MPa — strength does not separate them. On the shop floor, 356 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than A356.2 (premium, $$$).
Which is cheaper, 356 or A356.2?
356 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while A356.2 is premium ($$$). 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 A356.2?
356. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against good (62/100) for A356.2.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 356 and A356.2 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.