Aluminum 4006 vs 4643
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 4006 and 4643 are both aluminum grades, both heat resistant al. 4006 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) against 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) for 4643, about 79% more. In exchange, 4643 is the more ductile: elongation 15% versus 5% for 4006, and 4643 is harder (45 HB vs 42 HB). 4643 runs hotter in service (150°C vs 120°C continuous) and 4006 conducts heat better (185 W/m·K vs 160 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 4643 welds better (excellent vs very good) and 4006 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 4643 (standard, $$).
4006Choose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.
4643Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
4006 vs 4643: 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
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 69 GPa10 Msi · Shear Modulus 26 GPa3.8 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33
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
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: 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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Polishability 45 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: 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
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 4006 | 4643 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 4643 — frequently asked
Is 4006 stronger than 4643?
Yes. 4006 has a typical yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) against 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) for 4643 — about 79% more. Tensile strength is 145 MPa (21 ksi) vs 165 MPa (23.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 4006 or 4643?
4006 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 4643 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, 4006 or 4643?
4643. Its weldability rates excellent (96/100) against very good (78/100) for 4006.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 4006 and 4643 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.