Aluminum Alca 5 vs Cast 5083
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum Alca 5 and Cast 5083 are both aluminum grades, both cast tooling plate al. Cast 5083 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) against 83 MPa (12 ksi) for Alca 5, about 45% more; tensile strength follows at 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) vs 152 MPa (22 ksi). Cast 5083 is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 2% for Alca 5, and Cast 5083 is harder (70 HB vs 65 HB). Alca 5 runs hotter in service (150°C vs 65°C continuous) and Alca 5 conducts heat better (140 W/m·K vs 117 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Alca 5 machines more easily (excellent vs good), Cast 5083 welds better (excellent vs fair), and Alca 5 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Cast 5083 (premium, $$$).
Alca 5Choose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.
Cast 5083Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Alca 5 vs Cast 5083: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 69 GPa10 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
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 900 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 397 J/g171 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).
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
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 1,100 L/kg132 gal/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 | Alca 5 | Cast 5083 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | 1 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining. Both take the same 16 finishes: Anodizing Type II, Cerakote, Chem Film (Alodine), DLC, E-Coating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE, Hard Anodizing Type III, Nickel Plating and 4 more.
Alca 5 vs Cast 5083 — frequently asked
Is Cast 5083 stronger than Alca 5?
Yes. Cast 5083 has a typical yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) against 83 MPa (12 ksi) for Alca 5 — about 45% more. Tensile strength is 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) vs 152 MPa (22 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Alca 5 or Cast 5083?
Alca 5 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Cast 5083 is premium ($$$). 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, Alca 5 or Cast 5083?
Alca 5. Its machinability rates excellent (88/100) against good (58/100) for Cast 5083; for welding the order is Cast 5083 first (excellent, 88/100) then Alca 5 (fair, 45/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alca 5 and Cast 5083 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.