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Aluminum AlSi7Mg vs EN AC-43500

Aluminum · grade comparison

Aluminum AlSi7Mg and EN AC-43500 are both aluminum grades. AlSi7Mg is the stronger of the two: yield strength 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) against 135 MPa (19.6 ksi) for EN AC-43500, about 78% more; tensile strength follows at 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) vs 270 MPa (39.2 ksi). AlSi7Mg is harder — 105 HB against 85 HB for EN AC-43500 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. EN AC-43500 is stiffer (75 GPa vs 71 GPa) and EN AC-43500 runs hotter in service (150°C vs 120°C continuous). On the shop floor, EN AC-43500 forms better (fair vs poor) and EN AC-43500 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than AlSi7Mg (premium, $$$).

AlSi7MgChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

EN AC-43500Choose it when the part sees heat, or when cost is the deciding factor.

AlSi7Mg vs EN AC-43500: properties

AlSi7MgEN AC-43500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

71 GPa10.3 Msi
75 GPa10.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

26.5 GPa3.8 Msi
27 GPa3.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

69 GPa10 Msi
72 GPa10.4 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

350 MPa50.8 ksi
270 MPa39.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
135 MPa19.6 ksi

Compressive Strength

250 MPa36.3 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Shear Strength

215 MPa31.2 ksi
175 MPa25.4 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

100 MPa14.5 ksi
85 MPa12.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

20 MPa·√m18.2 ksi·√in
22 MPa·√m20 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

6 J4.4 ft·lbf
5 J3.7 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

105 HB
85 HB

Hardness, Vickers

115 HV
—

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Elongation at Break 8%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

2.67 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
2.65 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³

Liquidus Temperature

613°C1,135 °F
596°C1,105 °F

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 557°C1,035 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

130 W/m·K75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
140 W/m·K80.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

963 J/kg·K0.23 BTU/lb·°F
900 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

21.5 µm/m·K11.9 µin/in·°F
21 µm/m·K11.7 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

389 J/g167 BTU/lb
425 J/g183 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

120°C248 °F
150°C302 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

28 % IACS
25 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6.2×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.44 µΩ·in
6.9×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.72 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.83 V
-0.79 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

58 / 100
62 / 100

Weldability

70 / 100
72 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
35 / 100

Castability

90 / 100
95 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
45 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 70% · Brazeability / Solderability 30 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

215 MJ/kg92,433 BTU/lb
155 MJ/kg66,638 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

13 kg CO₂/kg
10.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb
1,100 L/kg132 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

10%
25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

131 kN·m/kg
102 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.6 MN·m/kg
28.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

406 kJ/m³
122 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

50.6 mm²/s
58.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

30
24

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.

20501002005002.22.42.62.83Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleEN AC-43500AlSi7Mg

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAlSi7MgEN AC-43500
3D printingYes—
Default conditionAs 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.

AlSi7Mg vs EN AC-43500 — frequently asked

Is AlSi7Mg stronger than EN AC-43500?

Yes. AlSi7Mg has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) against 135 MPa (19.6 ksi) for EN AC-43500 — about 78% more. Tensile strength is 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) vs 270 MPa (39.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, AlSi7Mg or EN AC-43500?

EN AC-43500 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while AlSi7Mg is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

When should I choose AlSi7Mg over EN AC-43500?

Pick AlSi7Mg when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters. Pick EN AC-43500 when the part sees heat, or when cost is the deciding factor.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AlSi7Mg and EN AC-43500 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.