Aluminum AlSi10Mg vs EN AC-45500
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum AlSi10Mg and EN AC-45500 are both aluminum grades. EN AC-45500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) against 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) for AlSi10Mg, about 6% more. In exchange, AlSi10Mg is the more ductile: elongation 7% versus 4% for EN AC-45500, and AlSi10Mg is harder (119 HB vs 100 HB). EN AC-45500 is stiffer (75 GPa vs 70 GPa) and EN AC-45500 conducts heat better (150 W/m·K vs 120 W/m·K). On the shop floor, EN AC-45500 machines more easily (good vs fair) and EN AC-45500 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than AlSi10Mg (premium, $$$).
AlSi10MgChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
EN AC-45500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
AlSi10Mg vs EN AC-45500: 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
Bulk 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: Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 22 MPa·√m20 ksi·√in
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
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 150°C302 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.83 V · Corrosion Resistance 55 / 100
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 1,200 L/kg144 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 | AlSi10Mg | EN AC-45500 |
|---|---|---|
| 3D printing | Yes | — |
| Default condition | As Printed | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Anodized (Aluminum AM) | Yes | — |
| Plated (Metal AM) | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
AlSi10Mg vs EN AC-45500 — frequently asked
Is EN AC-45500 stronger than AlSi10Mg?
Yes. EN AC-45500 has a typical yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) against 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) for AlSi10Mg — about 6% more. Tensile strength is 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) vs 460 MPa (66.7 ksi).
Which is cheaper, AlSi10Mg or EN AC-45500?
EN AC-45500 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while AlSi10Mg is premium ($$$). 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, AlSi10Mg or EN AC-45500?
EN AC-45500. Its machinability rates good (68/100) against fair (50/100) for AlSi10Mg; for welding the order is AlSi10Mg first (good, 60/100) then EN AC-45500 (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AlSi10Mg and EN AC-45500 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.