Aluminum 6005A vs 6205
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 6005A and 6205 are both aluminum grades. 6205 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 310 MPa (45 ksi) vs 275 MPa (39.9 ksi). 6005A conducts electricity better (49 % IACS vs 44 % IACS). On the shop floor, 6005A machines more easily (good vs fair), 6005A welds better (excellent vs very good), and 6005A sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 6205 (standard, $$).
6005AChoose it when the part is machined in volume, or when it will be welded.
6205Choose it when strength drives the design.
6005A vs 6205: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Same in both: Shear Modulus 26 GPa3.8 Msi · Bulk Modulus 69 GPa10 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Elongation at Break 11% · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 29 MPa·√m26.4 ksi·√in · Hardness, Brinell 95 HB · Hardness, Vickers 100 HV
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 2.7 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 607°C1,125 °F
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)
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 68 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 40 / 100 · Castability 25 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 12.5 kg CO₂/kg · 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
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 33
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 | 6205 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| 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 6205 — frequently asked
Is 6205 stronger than 6005A?
Yes. 6205 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 310 MPa (45 ksi) vs 275 MPa (39.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 6005A or 6205?
6005A is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 6205 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, 6005A or 6205?
6005A. Its machinability rates good (62/100) against fair (52/100) for 6205; for welding the order is 6005A first (excellent, 85/100) then 6205 (very good, 72/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 6005A and 6205 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.