Reference & Charts
Aluminum Alloys
Typical mechanical properties of common wrought aluminum alloys — strength, density, hardness, machinability, and weldability — with a spec sheet and typical uses for each grade. Compare 6061, 6063, 7075, 2024, 5052, 5083, and 3003 at a glance.
7 entries · Last verified: 2026-07-09
Aluminum alloys are grouped in series by their principal alloying element. The 2xxx (copper) and 7xxx (zinc) series reach the highest strengths for aerospace; the 6xxx (magnesium-silicon) series balances strength, weldability, and machinability for general structural work; the 5xxx (magnesium) and 3xxx (manganese) series are non heat-treatable sheet alloys prized for formability and corrosion resistance.
| Aluminum Alloy | Series | Temper | Density(g/cm³) | Tensile(MPa) | Yield(MPa) | Elong.(%) | Hardness(HB) | Modulus(GPa) | Machinability | Weldability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6061-T6 | 6xxx | T6 | 2.7 g/cm³ | 310 MPa | 276 MPa | 12 % | 95 HB | 68.9 GPa | Good | Excellent |
| 6063-T6 | 6xxx | T6 | 2.7 g/cm³ | 241 MPa | 214 MPa | 12 % | 73 HB | 68.9 GPa | Fair | Excellent |
| 7075-T6 | 7xxx | T6 | 2.81 g/cm³ | 572 MPa | 503 MPa | 11 % | 150 HB | 71.7 GPa | Good | Poor |
| 2024-T3 | 2xxx | T3 | 2.78 g/cm³ | 483 MPa | 345 MPa | 18 % | 120 HB | 73.1 GPa | Good | Poor |
| 5052-H32 | 5xxx | H32 | 2.68 g/cm³ | 228 MPa | 193 MPa | 12 % | 60 HB | 70.3 GPa | Fair | Good |
| 5083-H116 | 5xxx | H116 | 2.66 g/cm³ | 317 MPa | 228 MPa | 16 % | 80 HB | 70.3 GPa | Fair | Excellent |
| 3003-H14 | 3xxx | H14 | 2.73 g/cm³ | 150 MPa | 145 MPa | 8 % | 40 HB | 68.9 GPa | Fair | Good |
Select a aluminum alloy for its full spec sheet.
Frequently asked
- 6061 vs 7075 — which should I use?
- 6061-T6 is the general-purpose choice: weldable, corrosion-resistant, easy to machine, and affordable. 7075-T6 is far stronger (about double the yield) but isn't practically weldable and has lower corrosion resistance — use it where strength-to-weight is critical and joints are mechanical.
- Which aluminum alloys weld well?
- The 5xxx (e.g. 5052, 5083) and 6xxx (e.g. 6061, 6063) series weld well. The high-strength 2xxx (2024) and 7xxx (7075) series are generally not recommended for welding and are mechanically fastened.
- Are these exact values?
- They're typical published values for the listed common temper. Real properties depend on temper, product form, and supplier — always verify against material certifications for design-critical work.
Sources
- The Aluminum Association — Aluminum Standards and Data (typical mechanical properties)
- ASM International — properties of wrought aluminum alloys