Aluminum 7003 vs 7108A
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 7003 and 7108A are both aluminum grades. Both yield at about 315 MPa — strength does not separate them. 7003 conducts electricity better (39 % IACS vs 35 % IACS). On the shop floor, 7108A welds better (excellent vs very good) and 7003 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 7108A (premium, $$$).
7003Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.
7108AChoose it when it will be welded.
7003 vs 7108A: 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.
Elongation at Break
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 70 GPa10.2 Msi · Shear Modulus 26.5 GPa3.8 Msi · Bulk Modulus 71 GPa10.3 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 360 MPa52.2 ksi · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 315 MPa45.7 ksi · Compressive Strength 320 MPa46.4 ksi · Shear Strength 210 MPa30.5 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 130 MPa18.9 ksi · Hardness, Brinell 105 HB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Density 2.78 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 645°C1,193 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 150 W/m·K86.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 390 J/g168 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 120°C248 °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).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.86 V · Corrosion Resistance 55 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Castability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 129 kN·m/kg · Specific Stiffness (E / density) 25.2 MN·m/kg · Modulus of Resilience 709 kJ/m³ · 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 | 7003 | 7108A |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
7003 vs 7108A — frequently asked
What is the difference between 7003 and 7108A?
Aluminum 7003 and 7108A are both aluminum grades. Both yield at about 315 MPa — strength does not separate them. 7003 conducts electricity better (39 % IACS vs 35 % IACS).
Which is cheaper, 7003 or 7108A?
7003 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 7108A is premium ($$$). 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, 7003 or 7108A?
7003, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 65/100 against 58/100 for 7108A; for welding the order is 7108A first (excellent, 85/100) then 7003 (very good, 75/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 7003 and 7108A 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.