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Aluminum MoldMAX Aluminum vs QC-10

Aluminum · grade comparison

Aluminum MoldMAX Aluminum and QC-10 are both aluminum grades, both mold quality al. Both yield at about 495 MPa — strength does not separate them. QC-10 is the more ductile: elongation 9% versus 8% for MoldMAX Aluminum, and QC-10 is harder (165 HB vs 150 HB). QC-10 runs hotter in service (150°C vs 120°C continuous) and QC-10 conducts heat better (155 W/m·K vs 130 W/m·K).

QC-10Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

MoldMAX Aluminum vs QC-10: properties

MoldMAX AluminumQC-10

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

71.7 GPa10.4 Msi
71.5 GPa10.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

75 GPa10.9 Msi
71 GPa10.3 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

565 MPa81.9 ksi
538 MPa78 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

495 MPa71.8 ksi
483 MPa70.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

8%
9%

Reduction in Area

15%
—

Compressive Strength

505 MPa73.2 ksi
490 MPa71.1 ksi

Shear Strength

330 MPa47.9 ksi
305 MPa44.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

160 MPa23.2 ksi
220 MPa31.9 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

27 MPa·√m24.6 ksi·√in
34 MPa·√m30.9 ksi·√in

Hardness, Brinell

150 HB
165 HB

Hardness, Vickers

160 HV
—

Same in both: Shear Modulus 26.9 GPa3.9 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Hardness, Rockwell B 87 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

2.81 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
2.85 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

477°C891 °F
490°C914 °F

Liquidus Temperature

635°C1,175 °F
630°C1,166 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

130 W/m·K75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
155 W/m·K89.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

960 J/kg·K0.23 BTU/lb·°F
860 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

23.6 µm/m·K13.1 µin/in·°F
23.5 µm/m·K13.1 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

120°C248 °F
150°C302 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 390 J/g168 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

33 % IACS
40 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

5.2×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.05 µΩ·in
4.3×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.69 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.83 V
-0.84 V

Corrosion Resistance

40 / 100
45 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

80 / 100
85 / 100

Weldability

18 / 100
20 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

12 / 100
10 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 300% · Formability (cold) 20 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb
205 MJ/kg88,134 BTU/lb

Typical Recycled Content

25%
20%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 12.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

201 kN·m/kg
189 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.5 MN·m/kg
25.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,709 kJ/m³
1,631 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

48.2 mm²/s
63.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

43
50

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 scaleMoldMAX AluminumQC-10

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityMoldMAX AluminumQC-10
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall0.5 mm0.5 mm
Best machined surfaceRa 0.8 µmRa 0.8 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.

MoldMAX Aluminum vs QC-10 — frequently asked

What is the difference between MoldMAX Aluminum and QC-10?

Aluminum MoldMAX Aluminum and QC-10 are both aluminum grades, both mold quality al. Both yield at about 495 MPa — strength does not separate them. QC-10 is the more ductile: elongation 9% versus 8% for MoldMAX Aluminum, and QC-10 is harder (165 HB vs 150 HB).

Which is cheaper, MoldMAX Aluminum or QC-10?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, MoldMAX Aluminum or QC-10?

QC-10. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against very good (80/100) for MoldMAX Aluminum.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in MoldMAX Aluminum and QC-10 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.