Aluminum AC3A vs AC5A
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum AC3A and AC5A are both aluminum grades. AC5A is the stronger of the two: yield strength 255 MPa (37 ksi) against 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) for AC3A, about 3.4 times as much; tensile strength follows at 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) vs 165 MPa (23.9 ksi). In exchange, AC3A is the more ductile: elongation 6% versus 1% for AC5A, and AC5A is harder (105 HB vs 50 HB). AC3A is lighter (2.66 g/cm³ vs 2.81 g/cm³ for AC5A) and AC5A runs hotter in service (220°C vs 150°C continuous). On the shop floor, AC5A machines more easily (very good vs fair), AC3A welds better (very good vs poor), and AC3A sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than AC5A (premium, $$$).
AC3AChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
AC5AChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
AC3A vs AC5A: 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.
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Brinell
Compressive Strength
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 71 GPa10.3 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 3 J2.2 ft·lbf
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)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 963 J/kg·K0.23 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 389 J/g167 BTU/lb
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
Same in both: Polishability 45 / 100
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 | AC3A | AC5A |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 4 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
AC3A vs AC5A — frequently asked
Is AC5A stronger than AC3A?
Yes. AC5A has a typical yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) against 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) for AC3A — about 3.4 times as much. Tensile strength is 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) vs 165 MPa (23.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, AC3A or AC5A?
AC3A is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while AC5A is premium ($$$). 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, AC3A or AC5A?
AC5A. 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 AC5A (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AC3A and AC5A 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.