Aluminum ZL102 vs ZL402
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum ZL102 and ZL402 are both aluminum grades. ZL402 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) for ZL102, about 88% more; tensile strength follows at 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) vs 170 MPa (24.7 ksi). ZL402 is harder — 72 HB against 55 HB for ZL102 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. ZL102 is lighter (2.65 g/cm³ vs 2.81 g/cm³ for ZL402) and ZL402 conducts electricity better (35 % IACS vs 31 % IACS). On the shop floor, ZL402 machines more easily (very good vs fair), ZL102 welds better (very good vs good), and ZL102 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than ZL402 (standard, $$).
ZL102Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when it will be welded.
ZL402Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
ZL102 vs ZL402: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Same in both: Shear Modulus 26.5 GPa3.8 Msi · Bulk Modulus 70 GPa10.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Elongation at Break 5%
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).
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
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 10 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
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 | ZL102 | ZL402 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Default condition | F | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | — |
| Anodizing Type II | Yes | — |
| Cerakote | Yes | — |
| Chem Film (Alodine) | Yes | — |
| DLC | Yes | — |
| E-Coating | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE | Yes | — |
| Hard Anodizing Type III | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Powder Coating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
ZL102 vs ZL402 — frequently asked
Is ZL402 stronger than ZL102?
Yes. ZL402 has a typical yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) for ZL102 — about 88% more. Tensile strength is 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) vs 170 MPa (24.7 ksi).
Which is cheaper, ZL102 or ZL402?
ZL102 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while ZL402 is standard ($$). 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, ZL102 or ZL402?
ZL402. Its machinability rates very good (72/100) against fair (45/100) for ZL102; for welding the order is ZL102 first (very good, 75/100) then ZL402 (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ZL102 and ZL402 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.