Aluminum 4006 vs 4043
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 4006 and 4043 are both aluminum grades, both heat resistant al. 4043 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) against 145 MPa (21 ksi) for 4006, about 24% more. 4043 is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 5% for 4006, and 4043 is harder (50 HB vs 42 HB). 4043 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 120°C continuous) and 4006 conducts heat better (185 W/m·K vs 163 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 4043 welds better (excellent vs very good) and 4006 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 4043 (standard, $$).
4006Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.
4043Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
4006 vs 4043: 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.
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 69 GPa10 Msi · Shear Modulus 26 GPa3.8 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 55 MPa8 ksi
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
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 900 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°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).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 30%
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%
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 | 4006 | 4043 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 0.8 µm |
| DLC | — | Yes |
Both are offered for Sheet metal. They share 15 finishes: Anodizing Type II, Cerakote, Chem Film (Alodine), E-Coating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE, Hard Anodizing Type III, Nickel Plating, PTFE Coating and 3 more.
4006 vs 4043 — frequently asked
Is 4043 stronger than 4006?
Yes. 4043 has a typical tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) against 145 MPa (21 ksi) for 4006 — about 24% more.
Which is cheaper, 4006 or 4043?
4006 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 4043 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, 4006 or 4043?
4006. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (30/100) for 4043; for welding the order is 4043 first (excellent, 95/100) then 4006 (very good, 78/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 4006 and 4043 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.