Aluminum yield strength varies widely by alloy, temper, product form, and processing condition. For common engineering grades, 6061-T6 is about 276 MPa (40 ksi), 5052-H32 about 193 MPa (28 ksi), and 7075-T6 about 503 MPa (73 ksi).
Cast aluminum alloys used in die casting generally have lower yield strength than high-strength wrought alloys, but they offer advantages in complex shapes, production efficiency, and part cost.
For aluminum, “yield strength” usually refers to the 0.2% proof stress: the stress level at which measurable permanent deformation begins. The values below are useful for comparison and early design, but critical applications should always be checked against the applicable material standard or supplier certificate.
Aluminum Yield Strength Chart
Wrought Aluminum Alloys
| Alloy & Temper | Typical Yield Strength (MPa) | ksi | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1100-O | 7–11 | 1–1.6 | Commercially pure, soft aluminum |
| 3003-H14 | ~110 | 16 | General sheet and forming |
| 5052-H32 | ~193 | 28 | Sheet, marine and formed parts |
| 6061-T6 | ~276 | 40 | Structural and machined parts |
| 6063-T6 | ~214 | 31 | Extrusions and architectural parts |
| 6082-T6 | ~260 | 38 | Structural applications |
| 2024-T3 | ~324 | 47 | High-strength sheet |
| 7075-T6 | ~503 | 73 | High-strength structural parts |
These are typical room-temperature values. Minimum specified properties can differ by thickness, product form, standard, and supplier.
Cast Aluminum Alloys
| Cast Alloy / Condition | Typical Yield Strength (MPa) | ksi | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A380, as cast | ~160–170 | 23–25 | General-purpose high-pressure die casting |
| ADC12, as cast | ~150–170 | 22–25 | Common HPDC alloy in Asia |
| A360, as cast | ~165–170 | 24–25 | Better corrosion resistance |
| A413, as cast | ~130–145 | 19–21 | Good fluidity and pressure-tight applications |
| A356-T6 | ~200+ | ~29+ | Common in gravity/permanent-mold casting |
Do not compare a wrought T6 alloy directly with an as-cast die casting alloy based on yield strength alone. The manufacturing processes serve different design and production needs.
For HPDC applications, see our guide to aluminum die casting alloys.
Yield Strength vs Tensile Strength
Yield strength and tensile strength describe different points in a material’s response to load.
Yield strength is the stress at which the material begins to deform permanently. If a bracket, housing, or structural feature is loaded beyond this point, it may not return to its original shape after the load is removed.
Tensile strength is the maximum engineering stress the material can withstand during a tensile test before failure progresses.
Aluminum alloys often do not show a sharp yield point. For that reason, datasheets commonly report 0.2% proof stress, also called 0.2% offset yield strength. It gives engineers a consistent way to compare aluminum alloys.
Yield strength is important when permanent deformation must be avoided. Tensile strength is more relevant to ultimate failure.
Neither value alone tells you whether a part is stiff enough. Deflection also depends on the part geometry and elastic modulus.
What Affects Aluminum Yield Strength?
The same aluminum family can have very different yield strength depending on how the material is supplied and processed.
Alloy composition. Pure aluminum is relatively soft, while alloying elements can greatly increase strength. This is why 7075-T6 has much higher yield strength than commercially pure aluminum.
Temper. Temper designations matter. A heat-treated 6061-T6 material is much stronger than annealed 6061-O. For sheet alloys, H tempers indicate different levels of strain hardening.
Product form and thickness. Sheet, plate, extrusion, forging, and casting may have different specified properties even when the alloy name is similar. Thickness can also affect minimum values listed in material standards.
Temperature. Aluminum generally loses strength as operating temperature increases. If a component works continuously at elevated temperature, use temperature-specific material data rather than relying only on a room-temperature chart.
Casting condition. In cast parts, porosity, section thickness, cooling conditions, and heat treatment can influence achieved mechanical properties. A catalog value should not automatically be treated as the guaranteed strength of every production casting.
For a die casting project, alloy selection should consider more than strength. Castability, corrosion resistance, machining, wall thickness, surface finishing, and service conditions also matter.
See our guide on choosing an aluminum alloy for die casting.
MPa, psi and ksi Conversions
Aluminum yield strength is commonly reported in MPa, psi, or ksi.
- 1 MPa = 145.038 psi
- 1 ksi = 6.895 MPa
- MPa to ksi: divide by 6.895
- ksi to MPa: multiply by 6.895
Examples:
- 6061-T6: 276 MPa ≈ 40 ksi
- 5052-H32: 193 MPa ≈ 28 ksi
- 7075-T6: 503 MPa ≈ 73 ksi
- A380: about 160–170 MPa ≈ 23–25 ksi
For design or purchasing, do not use a converted handbook value as a substitute for a required minimum property.
If yield strength is critical, specify the alloy, temper or casting condition, applicable standard, and required mechanical property on the drawing or purchase specification.
Need Custom Aluminum Die Cast Parts?
Yield strength is only one factor when selecting material for a cast component. Wall thickness, geometry, casting method, machining areas, corrosion exposure, surface finishing, and production volume can also affect the final alloy choice.
Yongzhu Casting manufactures custom aluminum die cast parts based on customer drawings and project requirements.
We support drawing review, mold making, high-pressure die casting, CNC machining, finishing, and inspection.
Send us your 2D drawing, 3D model, required alloy, mechanical requirements, and expected quantity for a manufacturing review and quotation.
FAQ
Does higher yield strength always mean a better aluminum alloy?
No. A higher yield strength may be useful for structural loading, but alloy selection must also consider castability, ductility, corrosion resistance, machinability, temperature, finishing requirements, and cost.
Can 6061 or 7075 aluminum be high-pressure die cast?
6061 and 7075 are primarily wrought alloys and are not standard choices for conventional high-pressure die casting. A380, ADC12, A360, A413, and other casting alloys are more commonly considered for HPDC parts.
Is yield strength the same as hardness?
No. Yield strength measures resistance to permanent deformation under load, while hardness measures resistance to localized indentation or scratching. They may correlate for some alloys, but they are not interchangeable values.
Why can two suppliers list different yield strength for the same aluminum alloy?
The values may come from different standards, tempers, product forms, thickness ranges, test conditions, or “typical” versus guaranteed minimum data. Always compare the full material specification, not only the alloy number.
