Aluminum AC1A vs AC3A
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum AC1A and AC3A are both aluminum grades. AC1A is the stronger of the two: yield strength 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) against 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) for AC3A, about 3.3 times as much; tensile strength follows at 335 MPa (48.6 ksi) vs 165 MPa (23.9 ksi). In exchange, AC3A is the more ductile: elongation 6% versus 4% for AC1A, and AC1A is harder (95 HB vs 50 HB). AC3A is lighter (2.66 g/cm³ vs 2.8 g/cm³ for AC1A) and AC1A runs hotter in service (175°C vs 150°C continuous). On the shop floor, AC1A machines more easily (very good vs fair), AC3A welds better (very good vs poor), and AC3A sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than AC1A (premium, $$$).
AC1AChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
AC3AChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
AC1A vs AC3A: 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.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Brinell
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 71 GPa10.3 Msi · Shear Modulus 26.5 GPa3.8 Msi · Bulk Modulus 70 GPa10.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33
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)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: 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
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Formability (cold)
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)
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 | AC1A | AC3A |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 4 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
AC1A vs AC3A — frequently asked
Is AC1A stronger than AC3A?
Yes. AC1A has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) against 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) for AC3A — about 3.3 times as much. Tensile strength is 335 MPa (48.6 ksi) vs 165 MPa (23.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, AC1A or AC3A?
AC3A is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while AC1A is premium ($$$). 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, AC1A or AC3A?
AC1A. Its machinability rates very good (72/100) against fair (40/100) for AC3A; for welding the order is AC3A first (very good, 80/100) then AC1A (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AC1A and AC3A 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.