Aluminum 8030 vs 8079
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 8030 and 8079 are both aluminum grades. Both yield at about 35 MPa — strength does not separate them. On the shop floor, 8030 welds better (excellent vs very good) and 8079 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 8030 (standard, $$).
8030Choose it when it will be welded.
8079Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.
8030 vs 8079: 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.
Bulk Modulus
Reduction in Area
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 69 GPa10 Msi · Shear Modulus 26 GPa3.8 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 85 MPa12.3 ksi · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 35 MPa5.1 ksi · Elongation at Break 25% · Shear Strength 55 MPa8 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 35 MPa5.1 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 645°C1,193 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 900 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 23.6 µm/m·K13.1 µin/in·°F · 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).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.83 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 30% · Castability 60 / 100 · Polishability 50 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
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 · Typical Recycled Content 25%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 31 kN·m/kg · Modulus of Resilience 9 kJ/m³ · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 12
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 | 8030 | 8079 |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Anodizing Type II | — | Yes |
| Cerakote | — | Yes |
| Chem Film (Alodine) | — | 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.
8030 vs 8079 — frequently asked
What is the difference between 8030 and 8079?
Aluminum 8030 and 8079 are both aluminum grades. Both yield at about 35 MPa — strength does not separate them. On the shop floor, 8030 welds better (excellent vs very good) and 8079 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 8030 (standard, $$).
Which is cheaper, 8030 or 8079?
8079 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 8030 is standard ($$). 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, 8030 or 8079?
8079, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for 8030; for welding the order is 8030 first (excellent, 85/100) then 8079 (very good, 75/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 8030 and 8079 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.