Aluminum 8281 vs Metapor
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 8281 and Metapor are both aluminum grades, both porous / specialty al. 8281 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) against 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) for Metapor, about 4.5 times as much. 8281 is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 1% for Metapor. Metapor is lighter (2.1 g/cm³ vs 2.71 g/cm³ for 8281) and 8281 is stiffer (69 GPa vs 12 GPa). On the shop floor, Metapor machines more easily (excellent vs poor), 8281 welds better (very good vs not recommended), and 8281 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Metapor (high, $$$$).
8281Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
MetaporChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.
8281 vs Metapor: 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
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
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 900 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°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
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
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 | 8281 | Metapor |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 0.8 µm |
| DLC | — | Yes |
They share 15 finishes: Anodizing Type II, Cerakote, Chem Film (Alodine), E-Coating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE, Hard Anodizing Type III, Nickel Plating, PTFE Coating and 3 more.
8281 vs Metapor — frequently asked
Is 8281 stronger than Metapor?
Yes. 8281 has a typical tensile strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) against 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) for Metapor — about 4.5 times as much.
Which is cheaper, 8281 or Metapor?
8281 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Metapor 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, 8281 or Metapor?
Metapor. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against poor (30/100) for 8281; for welding the order is 8281 first (very good, 70/100) then Metapor (not recommended, 0/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 8281 and Metapor 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.