Aluminum Al-Ce-T5 vs Al-Ce-T6
Aluminum · Al-Ce temper comparison
Al-Ce-T5 and Al-Ce-T6 are two conditions of the same aluminum grade, Al-Ce: T5 (cooled from hot working and artificially aged) versus T6 (solution heat treated and artificially aged). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Al-Ce-T5 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) against 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) for Al-Ce-T6, about 67% more; tensile strength follows at 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) vs 280 MPa (40.6 ksi). Al-Ce-T5 is the more ductile: elongation 6% versus 3% for Al-Ce-T6, and Al-Ce-T5 is harder (122 HB vs 90 HB). Al-Ce-T5 runs hotter in service (350°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, Al-Ce-T6 machines more easily (very good vs good).
Al-Ce-T5Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Al-Ce-T6Choose it when the part is machined in volume.
Al-Ce-T5 vs Al-Ce-T6: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 27.5 GPa4 Msi · Bulk Modulus 73 GPa10.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 17 MPa·√m15.5 ksi·√in
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 2.8 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 640°C1,184 °F · Liquidus Temperature 655°C1,211 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 890 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 22 µm/m·K12.2 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 380 J/g163 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.75 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Castability 88 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 35 / 100 · Polishability 55 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 235 MJ/kg101,032 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 14 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 5%
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.
Al-Ce-T5 vs Al-Ce-T6 — frequently asked
Is Al-Ce-T5 stronger than Al-Ce-T6?
Yes. Al-Ce-T5 has a typical yield strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) against 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) for Al-Ce-T6 — about 67% more. Tensile strength is 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) vs 280 MPa (40.6 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, T5 or T6?
AB is the default Al-Ce condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither T5 nor T6). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which is easier to machine, Al-Ce-T5 or Al-Ce-T6?
Al-Ce-T6. Its machinability rates very good (72/100) against good (56/100) for Al-Ce-T5.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Al-Ce-T5 and Al-Ce-T6 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.