Stainless Steel AL-6XN vs Alloy 20
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel AL-6XN and Alloy 20 are both stainless steel grades, both corrosion resistant ss. AL-6XN is the stronger of the two: yield strength 365 MPa (52.9 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Alloy 20, about 18% more; tensile strength follows at 745 MPa (108 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). AL-6XN is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 40% for Alloy 20, and AL-6XN is harder (180 HB vs 160 HB). Alloy 20 runs hotter in service (500°C vs 425°C continuous) and AL-6XN conducts electricity better (1.9 % IACS vs 1.6 % IACS). On the shop floor, Alloy 20 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and AL-6XN sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Alloy 20 (specialty, $$$$$).
AL-6XNChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Alloy 20Choose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.
AL-6XN vs Alloy 20: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel 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 stainless steel 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
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3
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
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.08 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Castability
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
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 3
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | AL-6XN | Alloy 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Solution Annealed | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 32 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, CrN, DLC, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing and 20 more.
AL-6XN vs Alloy 20 — frequently asked
Is AL-6XN stronger than Alloy 20?
Yes. AL-6XN has a typical yield strength of 365 MPa (52.9 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Alloy 20 — about 18% more. Tensile strength is 745 MPa (108 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, AL-6XN or Alloy 20?
AL-6XN is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Alloy 20 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, AL-6XN or Alloy 20?
Alloy 20. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (25/100) for AL-6XN; for welding the order is Alloy 20 first (very good, 80/100) then AL-6XN (very good, 75/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AL-6XN and Alloy 20 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.