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Aluminum AlSi7Mg vs EN AC-48000

Aluminum · grade comparison

Aluminum AlSi7Mg and EN AC-48000 are both aluminum grades. EN AC-48000 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 255 MPa (37 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for AlSi7Mg, about 6% more. In exchange, AlSi7Mg is the more ductile: elongation 8% versus 1% for EN AC-48000, and EN AC-48000 is harder (115 HB vs 105 HB). EN AC-48000 is stiffer (82 GPa vs 71 GPa) and EN AC-48000 runs hotter in service (250°C vs 120°C continuous). On the shop floor, AlSi7Mg machines more easily (good vs fair), AlSi7Mg welds better (very good vs poor), and EN AC-48000 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than AlSi7Mg (premium, $$$).

AlSi7MgChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

EN AC-48000Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

AlSi7Mg vs EN AC-48000: properties

AlSi7MgEN AC-48000

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

71 GPa10.3 Msi
82 GPa11.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

26.5 GPa3.8 Msi
31 GPa4.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

69 GPa10 Msi
78 GPa11.3 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

350 MPa50.8 ksi
295 MPa42.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
255 MPa37 ksi

Elongation at Break

8%
1%

Compressive Strength

250 MPa36.3 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Shear Strength

215 MPa31.2 ksi
195 MPa28.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

100 MPa14.5 ksi
95 MPa13.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

20 MPa·√m18.2 ksi·√in
14 MPa·√m12.7 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

6 J4.4 ft·lbf
2 J1.5 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

105 HB
115 HB

Hardness, Vickers

115 HV
120 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

557°C1,035 °F
510°C950 °F

Liquidus Temperature

613°C1,135 °F
570°C1,058 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

130 W/m·K75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
135 W/m·K78 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

21.5 µm/m·K11.9 µin/in·°F
19.5 µm/m·K10.8 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

389 J/g167 BTU/lb
490 J/g211 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

120°C248 °F
250°C482 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-60°C-76 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

28 % IACS
33 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6.2×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.44 µΩ·in
5.2×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.05 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.83 V
-0.8 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
42 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

58 / 100
48 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

70%
65%

Weldability

70 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
5 / 100

Castability

90 / 100
85 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

30 / 100
20 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
40 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

215 MJ/kg92,433 BTU/lb
205 MJ/kg88,134 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

13 kg CO₂/kg
12.5 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

10%
65%

Same in both: Embodied Water 1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

131 kN·m/kg
109 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.6 MN·m/kg
30.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

406 kJ/m³
396 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

50.6 mm²/s
56.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

30
25

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-48000AlSi7Mg

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAlSi7MgEN AC-48000
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-48000 — frequently asked

Is EN AC-48000 stronger than AlSi7Mg?

Yes. EN AC-48000 has a typical yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for AlSi7Mg — about 6% more. Tensile strength is 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) vs 350 MPa (50.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, AlSi7Mg or EN AC-48000?

EN AC-48000 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.

Which is easier to machine, AlSi7Mg or EN AC-48000?

AlSi7Mg. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (48/100) for EN AC-48000; for welding the order is AlSi7Mg first (very good, 70/100) then EN AC-48000 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AlSi7Mg and EN AC-48000 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.