Aluminum Mechanical Properties Chart: Strength, Hardness & Temper
Every aluminum engineering decision starts with mechanical properties: yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, and hardness. These four numbers determine whether a sheet will bend without cracking, a bar will carry the load, an extrusion will hold its shape, or a panel will survive impact. For B2B buyers and engineers, knowing how to read an aluminum mechanical properties chart — and how temper designations change those numbers — is the difference between a part that works and a field failure.
This guide explains the key mechanical properties, how temper designations (O, H, T4, T6) control them, and provides complete mechanical properties tables for the most common alloys: 1100, 3003, 3004, 5052, 5083, 6061, 6063, 6082, 7075, and 2024.
As an aluminum alloy manufacturer and supplier, HXM Aluminum supplies aluminum sheets, coils, bars, tubes, and profiles in all these alloys and tempers, with mill test certificates verifying the properties below.
Key Mechanical Properties Explained
Yield strength is the stress at which the metal begins to deform permanently — for aluminum usually measured at 0.2% offset (Rp0.2). It is the design limit for most load-bearing parts. Tensile strength (ultimate tensile strength, Rm) is the maximum stress the metal can withstand before fracture. Elongation measures ductility — the percentage the specimen stretches before breaking — and directly indicates formability and bendability. Hardness (Brinell HB, Vickers HV, or Rockwell) is a quick surface test that correlates with strength and is the easiest way to verify heat treatment or temper in the field.
For structural design, engineers use proof stress and elongation; for forming and stamping, elongation and bend radius; for wear and handling, hardness. A chart that gives all four lets you compare alloys on one page — which is exactly what follows.
How Temper Designations Control Strength
Aluminum temper designations tell you how the metal was worked and heat-treated — and therefore its strength level. The O (annealed) temper is softest and most formable. H tempers are strain-hardened (cold-worked): H14 is half-hard, H18 fully hard, H32/H34 strain-hardened then stabilized. T tempers are heat-treated: T4 is solution heat-treated and naturally aged, T6 solution heat-treated and artificially aged to peak strength. For a full explanation, see our aluminum temper designation guide.
Aluminum Temper Designation Quick Reference
| Temper | Process | Relative Strength | Formability | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O (annealed) | Softened by heating | Lowest | Excellent | Deep drawing, spinning |
| H14 / H24 | Strain-hardened ½ hard | Medium | Good | General sheet, panels |
| H18 / H19 | Fully strain-hardened | High | Limited | Coil, springs, stiff panels |
| T4 | Solution + natural aging | Medium-high | Good | Formed then aged parts |
| T6 | Solution + artificial aging | Highest | Limited | Structural extrusions, bars |
1xxx and 3xxx Series: Pure and Manganese Alloys
The 1xxx series (99%+ pure aluminum: 1050, 1060, 1100) has the lowest strength but the best conductivity, corrosion resistance, and formability — the default for foil, food containers, electrical products, and deep-drawn parts. The 3xxx series (manganese alloys: 3003, 3004, 3104) adds 15–40% more strength than 1100 while keeping excellent formability — the workhorses of roofing, cookware, beverage cans, and general fabrication.
Mechanical Properties: 1xxx and 3xxx Series (Sheet, Typical Values)
| Alloy & Temper | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Hardness (HB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100-O | 75–110 | 25–35 | 30–45 | 23 |
| 1100-H14 | 110–145 | 95–115 | 5–15 | 32 |
| 1050-H14 | 105–140 | 85–110 | 5–15 | 31 |
| 3003-O | 110–150 | 40–55 | 25–35 | 28 |
| 3003-H14 | 145–185 | 125–145 | 5–16 | 40 |
| 3004-H32 | 215–245 | 170–200 | 4–10 | 52 |
5xxx Series: The Marine and Structural Workhorses
The 5xxx series (magnesium alloys) delivers the best combination of moderate-to-high strength and excellent corrosion resistance, especially in marine environments. 5052 is the most common general-purpose marine alloy (used for fuel tanks, pressure vessels, marine sheet). 5083 is the high-strength marine grade for ship hulls and pressure vessels, with high weld strength. See our 5052 vs 5083 comparison guide for the full marine-grade analysis.
Mechanical Properties: 5xxx Series (Sheet/Plate, Typical Values)
| Alloy & Temper | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Hardness (HB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5052-O | 170–215 | 65–90 | 20–30 | 47 |
| 5052-H32 | 210–260 | 160–200 | 7–15 | 60 |
| 5052-H34 | 235–275 | 180–210 | 6–12 | 68 |
| 5083-O | 275–350 | 125–200 | 16–25 | 75 |
| 5083-H116 | 290–370 | 195–240 | 10–17 | 82 |
| 5086-H32 | 260–310 | 185–220 | 7–12 | 73 |
6xxx Series: Heat-Treatable Alloys for Structure and Extrusion
The 6xxx series (magnesium + silicon) is heat-treatable — its strength is developed by solution heat treatment and aging to T4 or T6. This makes 6xxx alloys the backbone of structural extrusions, bars, tubes, and architectural profiles. 6061-T6 is the general-purpose structural alloy; 6063 is the architectural extrusion alloy (less strong but better finish); 6082 is the high-strength European structural alloy. Our 6082 vs 6061 comparison and 6061-T6 deep dive cover these in detail.
Mechanical Properties: 6xxx Series (Bar/Tube/Extrusion, Typical Values)
| Alloy & Temper | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Hardness (HB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6061-O | 125–170 | 55–80 | 20–28 | 30 |
| 6061-T4 | 210–240 | 110–130 | 16–22 | 65 |
| 6061-T6 | 260–310 | 240–270 | 8–12 | 95 |
| 6063-T5 | 160–200 | 110–140 | 8–12 | 60 |
| 6063-T6 | 205–245 | 170–200 | 8–12 | 73 |
| 6082-T6 | 290–340 | 250–280 | 6–10 | 95 |
7xxx and 2xxx Series: The Aerospace High-Strength Alloys
The 7xxx series (zinc) and 2xxx series (copper) are the strongest aluminum alloys available. 7075-T6 achieves tensile strength over 500 MPa — stronger than many steels by weight — making it the aerospace and high-performance standard. 2024-T3/T4 (Al-Cu) is the classic aircraft structural alloy with excellent fatigue resistance, though its copper content limits corrosion resistance and weldability. 7005 is a weldable aerospace alloy with good strength and corrosion resistance. See our 2024 aerospace guide and 7005 vs 7075 comparison for details.
Mechanical Properties: 7xxx and 2xxx Series (Plate/Bar, Typical Values)
| Alloy & Temper | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Hardness (HB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-T3 | 435–475 | 290–340 | 10–18 | 120 |
| 2024-T4 | 425–475 | 275–325 | 10–20 | 120 |
| 7005-T6 | 350–400 | 290–330 | 8–12 | 100 |
| 7075-O | 230–275 | 105–145 | 10–16 | 60 |
| 7075-T6 | 510–570 | 435–505 | 6–11 | 150 |
| 7075-T73 | 470–525 | 390–440 | 8–13 | 140 |
How to Use These Charts: Selection by Application
To select an alloy, first define the load case. If the part is purely decorative or lightly loaded, a 1xxx or 3xxx alloy in O or H14 temper is cheapest and most formable. If it must resist corrosion in a marine or outdoor environment, jump to 5xxx (5052, 5083). If it is structural and load-bearing — frames, brackets, beams — choose a heat-treatable 6xxx (6061-T6, 6082-T6) for strength and weldability. If it must be the strongest possible per kilogram — aerospace, racing, high-performance equipment — use 7xxx (7075-T6) or 2xxx (2024).
The temper choice is equally important: for deep drawing, specify O; for stamped parts that must hold shape, H14/H24; for maximum structural strength, T6. Remember that elongation drops as strength rises — you cannot have maximum strength and maximum formability in the same temper.
Quick Alloy Selection Guide by Application
| Application | Recommended Alloys | Key Property Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Food containers & foil | 1100, 8011, 3003 | Formability, food safety |
| Roofing & gutters | 3003, 3004 | Corrosion, formability |
| Marine hulls & tanks | 5052, 5083, 5086 | Saltwater corrosion, weld strength |
| Structural frames & brackets | 6061-T6, 6082-T6 | Strength, weldability |
| Architectural profiles | 6063-T5/T6 | Finish, extrudability |
| Aerospace & high-performance | 2024, 7075, 7005 | Highest strength/weight |
Verifying Properties: Mill Test Certificates & Testing
Every structural aluminum order should ship with a mill test certificate (MTC) that states the actual tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation measured on the batch — not just the nominal values. Testing is performed per ASTM B557 / EN 10002 for tensile properties and ASTM E10 / E18 / EN ISO 6506/6508 for hardness. If your application is critical, request hardness testing in the field (a quick Rockwell or Webster check confirms the temper), and for formed parts verify bend tests per ASTM E290. Our aluminum machining guide covers how properties affect machining, and the bending and forming guide explains how elongation sets bend limits.
Sourcing Verified Mechanical Properties from HXM
HXM Aluminum supplies aluminum in all the alloys and tempers in this chart, with mill test certificates showing actual measured mechanical properties:
- Sheets and coils: 1050, 1060, 1100, 3003, 3004, 5052, 5083, 5086, 6061, 7075
- Bars and rods: 6061, 6082, 2024, 7075, 5052
- Tubes and pipes: 6061, 6063, 5052, 3003
- Profiles (extrusions): 6061, 6063, 6082, 7005
- Documentation: MTC with tensile/yield/elongation, chemical composition, hardness verification on request
Tell us your application and required properties — our engineers will match the alloy, temper, and product form, and confirm the material meets your design stress before you order.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the strongest aluminum alloy?
7075-T6 is the strongest common aluminum alloy, with tensile strength of 510–570 MPa and yield strength of 435–505 MPa — stronger by weight than most steels. 2024-T3/T4 (435–475 MPa tensile) is the classic aircraft structural alloy with excellent fatigue resistance. For weldable high strength, 6082-T6 (290–340 MPa) and 7005-T6 (350–400 MPa) are the best choices.
2. What is the difference between yield strength and tensile strength?
Yield strength is the stress at which the metal begins to deform permanently (0.2% offset for aluminum) — the design limit for load-bearing parts. Tensile strength is the maximum stress the metal can withstand before fracture. The gap between them indicates work hardening capacity: aluminum alloys typically have tensile strengths 15–35% above their yield strength, which gives a safety margin before failure.
3. Why does 6061-T6 have different properties than 6061-O?
Because temper is a heat treatment, not a different metal. 6061-O is annealed (softest, most formable: ~125–170 MPa tensile). 6061-T6 is solution heat-treated and artificially aged to develop the Mg2Si precipitates that block dislocation movement — more than doubling the strength to 260–310 MPa tensile, at the cost of reduced elongation. The alloy chemistry is identical; the temper determines the properties.
4. Which aluminum alloy is best for marine use?
5083 is the premium marine hull alloy — high strength (290–370 MPa in H116) with excellent saltwater corrosion resistance and weldability. 5052 is the most common general marine alloy for tanks, bulkheads, and sheet (210–260 MPa in H32), offering a good balance of strength, corrosion resistance, and cost. 5086 fills the gap between them. See our 5052 vs 5083 guide for a full comparison.
5. What does elongation tell me about formability?
Elongation measures how far the metal stretches before breaking — higher elongation means better formability and bendability. Soft tempers (O) give 25–45% elongation and can be deep drawn or bent on tight radii. Hard tempers (H18, T6) drop to 5–12% elongation and crack on tight bends. If your part requires bending or forming, choose a temper whose elongation matches the required bend radius.
6. Is hardness a reliable indicator of aluminum strength?
Yes, for most alloys hardness correlates well with tensile strength — roughly, tensile strength (MPa) ≈ 3.45 × Brinell hardness (HB) for many wrought alloys. Hardness testing is fast, non-destructive (indentation), and ideal for verifying that the delivered material matches the specified temper. However, for structural design always use certified tensile values from the MTC, not hardness alone.
7. Can I weld all aluminum alloys?
No. Non-heat-treatable alloys (1xxx, 3xxx, 5xxx) weld well and keep much of their strength. Heat-treatable alloys (6xxx) weld well but lose strength in the heat-affected zone (typically back to T4-like levels) unless re-heat-treated. 2xxx (copper) alloys are difficult to weld and crack easily; 7075 is generally considered unweldable by conventional methods. For welded structures choose 5xxx (highest weld strength) or 6xxx with design allowance for HAZ softening.
8. Can HXM supply material with guaranteed mechanical properties?
Yes. HXM Aluminum ships with mill test certificates stating actual measured tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation per ASTM/EN standards, plus chemical composition. Hardness verification and independent third-party testing can be arranged for critical applications. Contact us with your required properties and we will confirm the correct alloy and temper for your design.
Select Aluminum with the Right Properties
Choosing the wrong alloy or temper is the most common cause of aluminum part failure. With the charts above and HXM’s engineering support, you can specify the exact strength, ductility, and hardness your design requires — backed by certified mill test documentation on every shipment.
