Aluminum AC1B vs AC3A
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum AC1B and AC3A are both aluminum grades. AC1B 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 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) vs 165 MPa (23.9 ksi). AC1B is harder — 100 HB against 50 HB for AC3A — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. AC3A is lighter (2.66 g/cm³ vs 2.8 g/cm³ for AC1B) and AC1B runs hotter in service (200°C vs 150°C continuous). On the shop floor, AC1B machines more easily (very good vs fair), AC3A welds better (very good vs poor), and AC3A sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than AC1B (premium, $$$).
AC1BChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
AC3AChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when it will be welded.
AC1B 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.
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 71 GPa10.3 Msi · Shear Modulus 26.5 GPa3.8 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Elongation at Break 6%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 130 W/m·K75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 33 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 5.2×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.05 µΩ·in
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 Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb
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 | AC1B | 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.
AC1B vs AC3A — frequently asked
Is AC1B stronger than AC3A?
Yes. AC1B 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 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) vs 165 MPa (23.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, AC1B or AC3A?
AC3A is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while AC1B is premium ($$$). 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, AC1B or AC3A?
AC1B. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against fair (40/100) for AC3A; for welding the order is AC3A first (very good, 80/100) then AC1B (poor, 30/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AC1B 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.