Aluminum CP-Al vs Scalmalloy
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum CP-Al and Scalmalloy are both aluminum grades. Scalmalloy is the stronger of the two: yield strength 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for CP-Al, about 5.2 times as much; tensile strength follows at 400 MPa (58 ksi) vs 105 MPa (15.2 ksi). In exchange, CP-Al is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 14% for Scalmalloy, and Scalmalloy is harder (100 HB vs 28 HB). CP-Al runs hotter in service (150°C vs 120°C continuous) and CP-Al conducts heat better (200 W/m·K vs 110 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Scalmalloy machines more easily (good vs poor), CP-Al welds better (excellent vs good), and CP-Al sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Scalmalloy (specialty, $$$$$).
CP-AlChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
ScalmalloyChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
CP-Al vs Scalmalloy: 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
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Same in both: 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)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 900 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°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)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 5%
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 | CP-Al | Scalmalloy |
|---|---|---|
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | As Printed |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Anodized (Aluminum AM) | — | Yes |
| Plated (Metal AM) | — | Yes |
They share 4 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
CP-Al vs Scalmalloy — frequently asked
Is Scalmalloy stronger than CP-Al?
Yes. Scalmalloy has a typical yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for CP-Al — about 5.2 times as much. Tensile strength is 400 MPa (58 ksi) vs 105 MPa (15.2 ksi).
Which is cheaper, CP-Al or Scalmalloy?
CP-Al is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Scalmalloy is specialty ($$$$$). 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, CP-Al or Scalmalloy?
Scalmalloy. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against poor (32/100) for CP-Al; for welding the order is CP-Al first (excellent, 92/100) then Scalmalloy (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CP-Al and Scalmalloy 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.