Aluminum 4043 vs 4104
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 4043 and 4104 are both aluminum grades. 4043 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) against 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) for 4104, about 71% more; tensile strength follows at 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) vs 165 MPa (23.9 ksi). In exchange, 4104 is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 12% for 4043, and 4043 is harder (50 HB vs 45 HB). 4043 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 150°C continuous). On the shop floor, 4043 welds better (excellent vs fair) and 4043 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 4104 (premium, $$$).
4043Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
4104Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
4043 vs 4104: 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
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Shear Strength 105 MPa15.2 ksi · 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
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
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 30%
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb
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 | 4043 | 4104 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ 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.
4043 vs 4104 — frequently asked
Is 4043 stronger than 4104?
Yes. 4043 has a typical yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) against 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) for 4104 — about 71% more. Tensile strength is 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) vs 165 MPa (23.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 4043 or 4104?
4043 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 4104 is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which welds better, 4043 or 4104?
4043. Its weldability rates excellent (95/100) against fair (35/100) for 4104.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 4043 and 4104 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.