Grade comparisons

Which material should I use?

Two materials side by side: the property table, a decision matrix across machining, welding, forming, strength, corrosion, finishing, cost and availability, and a plain “choose this when” for each side. Each comparison links to both material records and to U.S. suppliers and shops.

26 comparisons.

Attach a drawing (PDF or STEP) or describe the part; a U.S. shop that fits quotes it.

  • 6061 vs 7075 Aluminum

    6061 vs 7075 aluminum compared: strength, weight, weldability, corrosion, and cost. 7075-T6 is nearly twice as strong as 6061-T6 but far less weldable.

  • 304 vs 316 Stainless

    304 vs 316 stainless steel compared: composition (molybdenum), corrosion resistance, strength, cost, and when to use each. 316 adds 2–3% Mo for chloride/marine resistance.

  • 1018 vs 4140 Steel

    1018 vs 4140 steel compared: composition, strength, heat treatability, machinability, and weldability. 1018 is mild and easy to work; 4140 is a heat-treatable Cr-Mo alloy.

  • A36 vs 1018 Steel

    A36 vs 1018 steel compared: A36 is a structural plate and shape spec, 1018 a cold-drawn bar grade. Strength, machinability, weldability and when each is the right buy.

  • 4140 vs 4340 Steel

    4140 vs 4340 alloy steel compared: nickel content, hardenability in thick sections, toughness, strength after heat treatment, machinability and cost.

  • 304 vs 17-4 PH Stainless

    304 vs 17-4 PH stainless compared: 17-4 age-hardens to 3-5x the yield strength of 304, but 304 has better corrosion resistance, weldability and formability.

  • 6061 vs 5052 Aluminum

    6061 vs 5052 aluminum compared: 6061-T6 for machined and structural parts, 5052-H32 for formed sheet with better bending, marine corrosion resistance and weld strength.

  • 6061-T6 vs 6061-T651

    6061-T6 vs T651 aluminum: same alloy, same strength. T651 adds a controlled stretch after quenching that relieves residual stress so plate stays flat when machined.

  • Delrin vs Nylon

    Delrin (acetal) vs nylon 6/6 compared: dimensional stability, moisture absorption, machinability, wear, impact strength and when each plastic is the better pick.

  • Delrin vs UHMW

    Delrin (acetal) vs UHMW polyethylene compared: Delrin for stiff precision parts, UHMW for abrasion, impact and low-cost wear surfaces that need no tight tolerance.

  • PEEK vs Ultem

    PEEK vs Ultem compared: PEEK for higher temperature, chemical resistance and wear; Ultem (PEI) for dielectric strength, dimensional stability and roughly half the cost.

  • Brass vs Bronze

    Brass vs bronze compared at the family level: brass is copper-zinc, bronze is copper-tin (or aluminum, silicon). Machinability, wear, corrosion and which to buy.

  • Aluminum vs Stainless Steel

    Aluminum vs stainless steel compared at the family level: weight, strength and stiffness, corrosion, machining, welding and cost, with 6061 and 304 as the representative grades.

  • 303 vs 304 Stainless

    303 vs 304 stainless compared: 303 adds sulfur for free machining at the cost of corrosion resistance and weldability. Same strength; when each grade is the right buy.

  • 4130 vs 4140 Steel

    4130 vs 4140 chromoly steel compared: 4130 is the weldable, lower-carbon tubing and sheet grade; 4140 the higher-carbon, higher-strength bar grade for machined parts.

  • 6061 vs 6063 Aluminum

    6061 vs 6063 aluminum compared: 6061-T6 is the stronger structural alloy; 6063 extrudes thinner, finishes smoother and anodizes better. Which to buy for extrusions.

  • 2024 vs 7075 Aluminum

    2024 vs 7075 aluminum compared: 7075-T6 has the higher static strength, 2024-T3 resists fatigue crack growth better. Neither is fusion welded.

  • 17-4 PH vs 15-5 PH Stainless

    17-4 PH vs 15-5 PH stainless compared: same heat treatments and minimum strengths, but 15-5 is ferrite-free and tougher across the grain. 17-4 costs less.

  • 1045 vs 4140 Steel

    1045 vs 4140 steel compared: carbon vs chromoly, hardenability, strength after heat treatment, weldability, machining and cost for shafts and gears.

  • D2 vs A2 Tool Steel

    D2 vs A2 tool steel compared: D2 resists abrasive wear better, A2 is tougher and easier to machine and grind. Both air harden to about 58-62 HRC.

  • Inconel 718 vs 625

    Inconel 718 vs 625 compared: 718 age hardens to about twice the yield strength of 625; 625 wins on corrosion resistance, weldability and formability.

  • Titanium vs Aluminum

    Titanium vs aluminum compared at the family level with Ti-6Al-4V and 6061-T6: strength-to-weight, stiffness, corrosion, heat, machining and cost.

  • 316 vs 2205 Duplex Stainless

    316 vs 2205 duplex stainless compared: 2205 has about twice the yield strength and far better chloride resistance; 316 is easier to form, weld and machine.

  • 410 vs 416 Stainless

    410 vs 416 stainless compared: the same hardenable 12% chromium steel, but 416 adds sulfur to machine faster at a cost in welding, forming and corrosion.

  • Polycarbonate vs Acrylic

    Polycarbonate vs acrylic compared: polycarbonate is far tougher and handles more heat; acrylic is clearer, more scratch and UV resistant, and cheaper.

  • HDPE vs UHMW

    HDPE vs UHMW polyethylene compared: UHMW resists abrasion and impact far better; HDPE is cheaper, stiffer, and can be molded and welded.