Aluminum 6005A vs 6018
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 6005A and 6018 are both aluminum grades. 6018 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) against 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) for 6005A, about 23% more; tensile strength follows at 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) vs 275 MPa (39.9 ksi). 6005A conducts heat better (190 W/m·K vs 170 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 6018 machines more easily (excellent vs good), 6005A welds better (excellent vs fair), and 6005A sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 6018 (premium, $$$).
6005AChoose it when it will be welded, or when cost is the deciding factor.
6018Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
6005A vs 6018: 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)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Reduction in Area
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Shear Modulus 26 GPa3.8 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 29 MPa·√m26.4 ksi·√in · Hardness, Brinell 95 HB · Hardness, Vickers 100 HV
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
Same in both: 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).
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
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 40 / 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 | 6005A | 6018 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | 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.
6005A vs 6018 — frequently asked
Is 6018 stronger than 6005A?
Yes. 6018 has a typical yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) against 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) for 6005A — about 23% more. Tensile strength is 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) vs 275 MPa (39.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 6005A or 6018?
6005A is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 6018 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, 6005A or 6018?
6018. Its machinability rates excellent (92/100) against good (62/100) for 6005A; for welding the order is 6005A first (excellent, 85/100) then 6018 (fair, 35/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 6005A and 6018 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.