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Aluminum 6005A vs 6463

Aluminum · grade comparison

Aluminum 6005A and 6463 are both aluminum grades, both multipurpose al. 6005A is the stronger of the two: yield strength 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) against 214 MPa (31 ksi) for 6463, about 10% more; tensile strength follows at 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) vs 240 MPa (34.8 ksi). 6005A is harder — 95 HB against 74 HB for 6463 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. On the shop floor, 6005A machines more easily (good vs fair).

6005AChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

6005A vs 6463: properties

6005A6463

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

69.5 GPa10.1 Msi
68.9 GPa10 Msi

Shear Modulus

26 GPa3.8 Msi
25.8 GPa3.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

69 GPa10 Msi
68 GPa9.9 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

275 MPa39.9 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

235 MPa34.1 ksi
214 MPa31 ksi

Elongation at Break

11%
12%

Compressive Strength

235 MPa34.1 ksi
—

Shear Strength

180 MPa26.1 ksi
152 MPa22 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

90 MPa13.1 ksi
69 MPa10 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

29 MPa·√m26.4 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

18 J13.3 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

95 HB
74 HB

Hardness, Vickers

100 HV
—

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

2.7 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
2.69 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

607°C1,125 °F
615°C1,139 °F

Liquidus Temperature

654°C1,209 °F
655°C1,211 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

190 W/m·K110 BTU/hr·ft·°F
200 W/m·K116 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
50 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3.5×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.38 µΩ·in
3.45×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.36 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.78 V
-0.83 V

Corrosion Resistance

68 / 100
66 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

62 / 100
52 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

190%
—

Formability (cold)

40 / 100
45 / 100

Castability

25 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

45 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
92 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 85 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Typical Recycled Content

30%
20%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 12.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

102 kN·m/kg
89 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.7 MN·m/kg
25.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

397 kJ/m³
332 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

78.5 mm²/s
82.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

33
30

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 scale6005A6463

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability6005A6463
Default condition——
Relative cost$ Budget$ Budget
Min. machined wall0.5 mm0.5 mm
Best machined surfaceRa 0.8 µmRa 0.8 µm

Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 16 finishes: Anodizing Type II, Cerakote, Chem Film (Alodine), DLC, E-Coating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE, Hard Anodizing Type III, Nickel Plating and 4 more.

6005A vs 6463 — frequently asked

Is 6005A stronger than 6463?

Yes. 6005A has a typical yield strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) against 214 MPa (31 ksi) for 6463 — about 10% more. Tensile strength is 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) vs 240 MPa (34.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 6005A or 6463?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($, budget); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, 6005A or 6463?

6005A. Its machinability rates good (62/100) against fair (52/100) for 6463.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 6005A and 6463 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.