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Aluminum 6005A vs 6182

Aluminum · grade comparison

Aluminum 6005A and 6182 are both aluminum grades. 6182 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, 6005A welds better (excellent vs very good) and 6005A sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 6182 (standard, $$).

6005AChoose it when it will be welded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

6182Choose it when strength drives the design.

6005A vs 6182: properties

6005A6182

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

275 MPa39.9 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

235 MPa34.1 ksi
290 MPa42.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

11%
10%

Compressive Strength

235 MPa34.1 ksi
—

Shear Strength

180 MPa26.1 ksi
205 MPa29.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

90 MPa13.1 ksi
95 MPa13.8 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

95 HB
98 HB

Hardness, Vickers

100 HV
105 HV

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
60 HRB

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 69.5 GPa10.1 Msi · Shear Modulus 26 GPa3.8 Msi · Bulk Modulus 69 GPa10 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 29 MPa·√m26.4 ksi·√in · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 18 J13.3 ft·lbf

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

607°C1,125 °F
585°C1,085 °F

Liquidus Temperature

654°C1,209 °F
650°C1,202 °F

Same in both: Density 2.7 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

190 W/m·K110 BTU/hr·ft·°F
170 W/m·K98.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

897 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
900 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

23 µm/m·K12.8 µin/in·°F
23.4 µm/m·K13 µin/in·°F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 393 J/g169 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 150°C302 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

49 % IACS
42 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3.5×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.38 µΩ·in
4.1×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.61 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.78 V
-0.74 V

Corrosion Resistance

68 / 100
65 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

62 / 100
58 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

190%
150%

Weldability

85 / 100
72 / 100

Formability (cold)

40 / 100
45 / 100

Castability

25 / 100
35 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Water

1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb
1,150 L/kg138 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
35%

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)

102 kN·m/kg
122 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

397 kJ/m³
605 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

78.5 mm²/s
70 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

33
34

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 25.7 MN·m/kg

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.

20501002005002.22.42.62.83Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale6005A6182

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability6005A6182
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default condition——
Relative cost$ Budget$$ Standard
Min. machined wall0.5 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 0.8 µm—
Anodizing Type IIYes—
CerakoteYes—
Chem Film (Alodine)Yes—
DLCYes—
E-CoatingYes—
ElectropolishingYes—
Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFEYes—
Hard Anodizing Type IIIYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PTFE CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—
Powder CoatingYes—

They share 4 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Silver Plating.

6005A vs 6182 — frequently asked

Is 6182 stronger than 6005A?

Yes. 6182 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 6182?

6005A is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 6182 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, 6005A or 6182?

6005A. Its weldability rates excellent (85/100) against very good (72/100) for 6182.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 6005A and 6182 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.