If you’re designing anything that has to carry a load—from aluminium frames and machinery parts to aerospace components—getting the yield strength of aluminum wrong can ruin your project.
You might already know that aluminum is light, corrosion‑resistant, and easy to work with.
But how strong is it really?
How does the yield strength of pure aluminum compare to high‑strength aluminum alloys comme 6061-T6 or 7075-T6?
And how do temper, traitement thermique, et temperature actually change the numbers that go into your design calculations?
In this guide, you’ll get a clear, engineer‑level breakdown of:
- Quoi yield strength in aluminum really means (and why it matters more than ultimate tensile strength in real designs)
- Le typical yield strength values for common aluminum alloys in MPa and ksi
- How alloying, work hardening, et traitement thermique can push aluminum from soft and ductile to high-strength structural material
- When aluminum can beat steel on strength‑to‑weight ratio—and when it can’t
If you want fast, reliable numbers and practical insight you can plug straight into your next design—and you need trusted aluminum material to back it up—you’re in the right place.
What Is Yield Strength in Aluminium?
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- From the elastic (linear) region, we draw a line parallel to it but starting at 0.2% strain
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- This value is the reported cURL Too many subrequests. in data sheets
You’ll see this noted as Rp0.2 or simply yield strength (0.2% offset).
Units: MPa and ksi
In the US, I work daily with both metric and imperial units, so I always keep this conversion in mind:
| Unit | Meaning | Typical Use in Aluminium Specs | Conversion |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPa | Megapascal (N/mm²) | Global / ISO standards | 1 MPa ≈ 0.145 ksi |
| ksi | kips per square inch (1000 psi) | US structural and aerospace design | 1 ksi ≈ 6.895 MPa |
When you see aluminium yield strength MPa, it’s usually in the 50–500 MPa range depending on the alloy and temper.
Stress–Strain Curve: Simple Picture in Words
On a typical aluminum stress–strain curve:
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- cURL Too many subrequests. are poured into molds and are better for des formes complexes, housings, and high-volume parts. Modern high‑performance aluminum casting alloys can still reach very solid yield strength levels while offering good fluidity and corrosion resistance.
En résumé : pure aluminum is weak, aluminum alloys are the workhorses. The choice between wrought and cast comes down to the balance you need between strength, shape complexity, and production volume.
Yield Strength Values for Common Aluminium Alloys
Yield strength for aluminium alloys can swing a lot depending on grade and temper. Here are typical cURL Too many subrequests. values so you can match the right alloy to your job.
Common Aluminium Yield Strengths (Typical Values)
| Alloy & Temper | Type | Résistance à l'élasticité (MPa) | Yield Strength (ksi) | Utilisations Typiques |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1060-O | Wrought | ~30 MPa | ~4.4 ksi | Heat sinks, decorative, low-stress parts |
| 3003-H14 | Wrought | ~145 MPa | ~21 ksi | HVAC, panels, general sheet metal |
| 5052-H32 | Wrought | ~193 MPa | ~28 ksi | Marine parts, fuel tanks, sheet metal work |
| 6061-O | Wrought | ~55 MPa | ~8 ksi | Formed parts, pre-heat-treat components |
| 6061-T6 | Wrought | ~240 MPa | ~35 ksi | Frames, brackets, machined parts, general structural |
| 6063-T5/T6 | Extrusion | ~160–215 MPa | ~23–31 ksi | Architectural extrusions, window/door frames |
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- Magnésium (Mg) cURL Too many subrequests.
- Silicium (Si) cURL Too many subrequests.
- Cuivre (Cu) cURL Too many subrequests.
- Zinc (Zn) cURL Too many subrequests.
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- T4 cURL Too many subrequests.
- T6 cURL Too many subrequests., cURL Too many subrequests. is far higher than 6061-O).
For precision parts or rims, we rely on T6 and similar tempers to hit tight mechanical targets, like in our jantes en alliage d'aluminium usinées.
3. Work Hardening (Cold Working)
Cold forming operations like:
- Rolling
- Bending
- Drawing
increase dislocation density in the metal and raise cURL Too many subrequests.. This is how H-tempers are created. Just know: higher strength usually means lower ductility.
4. Temperature Effects
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- At elevated temperatures (above ~200 °F / 93 °C), many alloys lose a noticeable chunk of their strength.
- For U.S. applications like under-hood automotive or near exhaust, I always check high-temperature data, not just room-temperature yield.
5. Manufacturing Process
How the part is made matters as much as the alloy:
- Extrusion – produces directional grain flow, good yield strength along the length; common for structural shapes.
- Forging – excellent strength and toughness; ideal where high aluminium yield strength and impact resistance are key.
- Fonderie – more porosity and lower yield strength vs wrought, but great for complex shapes and cost control. Process control and alloy choice (e.g., high-quality casting processes similar to advanced alloy casting workflows) make a big difference.
When I design or source aluminum parts, I always balance all five: alloy, temper, cold work, service temperature, and process. That’s how you dial in yield strength without getting burned on weldability, formability, or cost.
Aluminium Yield Strength Compared to Steel
When we talk yield strength of aluminium vs steel, we’re really asking: “How strong is it, and how much does it weigh for that strength?”
Yield strength: aluminum vs. steel (MPa & ksi)
-
Typical structural steels:
- Limite d'élasticité : 250–350 MPa (about 36–50 ksi) for common grades
- High-strength steels can easily push 450–700 MPa+ (65–100+ ksi)
-
Common aluminum alloys:
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cURL Too many subrequests. choose steel lorsque :
- Vous avez besoin very high yield strength in a compact section
- You’re dealing with very high temperatures
- Vous souhaitez lower raw material cost and weight isn’t a big issue
If you’re working on mixed-material systems or comparing to other metals like stainless or alloy steels, it’s useful to look at curated guides on steel and alloy performance such as this breakdown of stainless and alloy steel products, then line that up against the yield strength and density of your aluminum options.
Practical Applications of Yield Strength in Aluminium
Aerospace: High-Strength Aluminium Alloys
In aerospace, yield strength of aluminium is critical. I usually see:
- 7075-T6 and other high-strength aluminum alloys where rapport résistance-poids is the main driver
- Parts like wing spars, landing gear components, and structural fittings rely on high yield strength to avoid permanent bending under load
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Automotive: 6061 Yield Strength in Frames and Components
In cars and trucks, I lean on:
- 6061-T6 pour frames, suspension parts, EV battery trays, brackets
- 5052 and similar alloys for panels where formability + decent strength matière
- Yield strength of aluminum here is all about crash performance, stiffness, and weight savings vs. steel
Construction and Marine: Corrosion-Resistant Aluminium
For building and marine work, I focus less on max strength and more on yield strength + corrosion resistance:
- 5083, 5086, 6061 in marine structures, boat hulls, docks
- 6063 in architectural extrusions (windows, curtain walls, rails)
You want enough yield strength to handle wind, wave, and live loads without permanent deflection, plus long-term durability in salt or outdoor environments.
How I Choose Aluminium by Yield Strength
When I pick an aluminum alloy, I balance:
- Résistance à la traction: Will it stay elastic under worst-case load?
- Ductilité: Can it deform a bit without cracking?
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