Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Sources3 documents: Kaiser Aluminum, U.S. Department of Defense
Aluminum 2024-T351
2024-T4/T351, Kaiser Aluminum sheet, coil & plate typical datasheet; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J
Aluminum 6061-T6
6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J
1
Alloy 2024 Sheet, Coil & Plate Technical DataKaiser Aluminumarchived copyAluminum 2024-T351 · Yield strength: typical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimenAluminum 2024-T351 · Ultimate tensile strength: typicalAluminum 2024-T351 · Elongation at break: typical, in 4DAluminum 2024-T351 · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalAluminum 2024-T351 · Density: nominalAluminum 2024-T351 · Thermal conductivity: typical, 20 °CAluminum 2024-T351 · Thermal expansion: typical, mean 20-100 °CAluminum 2024-T351 · Specific heat: typical, at 100 °CAluminum 2024-T351 · Melting point: melting range
2
Alloy 6061 Sheet, Coil & Plate Technical DataKaiser Aluminumarchived copyAluminum 6061-T6 · Yield strength: typical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimenAluminum 6061-T6 · Ultimate tensile strength: typicalAluminum 6061-T6 · Elongation at break: typical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimenAluminum 6061-T6 · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalAluminum 6061-T6 · Density: nominalAluminum 6061-T6 · Thermal conductivity: typical, 20 °CAluminum 6061-T6 · Thermal expansion: typical, mean 20-100 °CAluminum 6061-T6 · Specific heat: typical, at 100 °CAluminum 6061-T6 · Melting point: solidus-liquidus
3
MIL-HDBK-5J, Metallic Materials and Elements for Aerospace Vehicle Structures (2003)U.S. Department of DefenseAluminum 2024-T351 · Poisson's ratio: typical (handbook physical constant), all tempersAluminum 6061-T6 · Poisson's ratio: typical (handbook physical constant)
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Aluminum 2024-T351 stronger than Aluminum 6061-T6?
Aluminum 2024-T351 is stronger: its yield strength is 324 MPa against 276 MPa for Aluminum 6061-T6 (17%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Aluminum 6061-T6?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 2,770 kg/m³ for Aluminum 2024-T351.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Aluminum 6061-T6?
Aluminum 2024-T351 is stiffer: Young's modulus 73.1 GPa against 68.3 GPa for Aluminum 6061-T6, so the same part in Aluminum 2024-T351 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Aluminum 6061-T6?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 2024-T351 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Aluminum 2024-T351
Aluminum 6061-T6
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
4% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
about equal
about equal
Stiff panel or plate
about equal
about equal
Strong rod or tie
lighter
14% heavier
Strong beam
lighter
8% heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
6% heavier
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Which is more ductile, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Aluminum 6061-T6?
Aluminum 2024-T351 stretches further before it breaks: 19% elongation at break against 17% for Aluminum 6061-T6.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Aluminum 6061-T6?
Aluminum 6061-T6 conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 120 W/m·K for Aluminum 2024-T351.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 2024-T351 expands less: 22.9 µm/m·K against 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6061-T6.