Aluminum 8079 vs Sintered 6061
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 8079 and Sintered 6061 are both aluminum grades. Sintered 6061 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 193 MPa (28 ksi) against 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) for 8079, about 5.5 times as much; tensile strength follows at 200 MPa (29 ksi) vs 85 MPa (12.3 ksi). In exchange, 8079 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 1% for Sintered 6061, and Sintered 6061 is harder (70 HB vs 22 HB). Sintered 6061 is lighter (2.55 g/cm³ vs 2.72 g/cm³ for 8079) and 8079 is stiffer (69 GPa vs 60 GPa). On the shop floor, Sintered 6061 machines more easily (very good vs poor), 8079 welds better (very good vs poor), and 8079 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than Sintered 6061 (high, $$$$).
8079Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
Sintered 6061Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
8079 vs Sintered 6061: 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
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 395 J/g170 BTU/lb · 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)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | 8079 | Sintered 6061 |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Anodizing Type II | Yes | — |
| Cerakote | Yes | — |
| Chem Film (Alodine) | Yes | — |
| E-Coating | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE | Yes | — |
| Hard Anodizing Type III | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Powder Coating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
8079 vs Sintered 6061 — frequently asked
Is Sintered 6061 stronger than 8079?
Yes. Sintered 6061 has a typical yield strength of 193 MPa (28 ksi) against 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) for 8079 — about 5.5 times as much. Tensile strength is 200 MPa (29 ksi) vs 85 MPa (12.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 8079 or Sintered 6061?
8079 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while Sintered 6061 is high ($$$$). 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, 8079 or Sintered 6061?
Sintered 6061. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against poor (30/100) for 8079; for welding the order is 8079 first (very good, 75/100) then Sintered 6061 (poor, 30/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 8079 and Sintered 6061 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.