Materials / Compare

Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Aluminum 6063-T6

Compare Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Aluminum 6063-T6 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

Aluminum 6061-T6Wrought
Aluminum 6063-T6Wrought
MechanicalAluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 6063-T6
Yield strength276MPa128% stronger215MPa2
Ultimate tensile strength310MPa129% stronger240MPa2
Elongation at break17%142% more ductile12%2
Young's modulus (stiffness)68.3GPa169GPa2
Density2,700kg/m³12,700kg/m³2
Strength to weight102kN·m/kg28% higher79.6kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight25.3MN·m/kg25.6MN·m/kg1% higher
Poisson's ratio0.333not sourced
Shear modulus25.7GPanot sourced
Bulk modulus67GPanot sourced
Speed of sound5,030m/s5,055m/s
1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardSLA Resin Tough 2000SLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelConcretePCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 6063-T6
Stiffness against densityHigher and further left: stiffer for its weight
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonRubberWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardSLA Resin Tough 2000SLA Resin Elastic 50ASLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Aluminum A380Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 6063-T6
Strength against densityHigher and further left: stronger for its weight
ThermalAluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 6063-T6
Thermal conductivity167W/m·K1201W/m·K220% more heat through a fin
Thermal expansion23.6µm/m·K123.4µm/m·K2
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing118µm growth117µm growth
Specific heat896J/kg·K1901J/kg·K4
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)69mm²/s82.6mm²/s20% faster
Thermal shock resistance19,159W/mnot sourced
Melting pointsolidus-liquidus582–652°C1melting range615–655°C2
1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic NylonRubberWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelConcreteBrickPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 6063-T6
Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weight
0.111010010100Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)Thermal expansion (µm/m·K)Plastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic NylonWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelConcreteBrickPlywoodPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 6063-T6
Thermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Sources4 documents: Kaiser Aluminum, U.S. Department of Defense, Hydro
Aluminum 6061-T6
6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J
Aluminum 6063-T6
6063-T6 extruded tube, Kaiser Aluminum Tube & Pipe Alloy 6063 Technical Data (Rev. 05/06), typical properties; specific heat from Hydro EN AW-6063 extruded-products datasheet (Rev.4, 03/2023).
  1. 1
    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
  2. 2
    Alloy 6063 Tube & Pipe Technical Data, Rev. 05/06Kaiser Aluminumarchived copyAluminum 6063-T6 · Yield strength: typical, T6, 0.0625 in specimenAluminum 6063-T6 · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, T6Aluminum 6063-T6 · Elongation at break: typical, T6, in 4DAluminum 6063-T6 · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalAluminum 6063-T6 · Density: nominal, 20 °CAluminum 6063-T6 · Thermal conductivity: typical, T6, 20 °CAluminum 6063-T6 · Thermal expansion: typical, mean 20-100 °CAluminum 6063-T6 · Melting point: melting range
  3. 3
    MIL-HDBK-5J, Metallic Materials and Elements for Aerospace Vehicle Structures (2003)U.S. Department of DefenseAluminum 6061-T6 · Poisson's ratio: typical (handbook physical constant)
  4. 4
    Technical Datasheet, Extruded Products: Alloy EN AW-6063 (Rev. 4, 2023)Hydroarchived copyAluminum 6063-T6 · Specific heat: typical, 20 °C (Hydro EN AW-6063)

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 6061-T6 stronger than Aluminum 6063-T6?

Aluminum 6061-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against 215 MPa for Aluminum 6063-T6 (28%).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Aluminum 6063-T6?

Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6063-T6.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Aluminum 6063-T6?

Aluminum 6063-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 69 GPa against 68.3 GPa for Aluminum 6061-T6, so the same part in Aluminum 6063-T6 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Aluminum 6063-T6?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Aluminum 6063-T6 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension).

Part that must beAluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 6063-T6
Stiff rod or tie (tension)1% heavierlighter
Stiff beam (bending)about equalabout equal
Stiff panel or plateabout equalabout equal
Strong rod or tielighter28% heavier
Strong beamlighter18% heavier
Strong panel or platelighter13% 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 6061-T6 or Aluminum 6063-T6?

Aluminum 6061-T6 stretches further before it breaks: 17% elongation at break against 12% for Aluminum 6063-T6.

Thermal

Which conducts heat better, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Aluminum 6063-T6?

Aluminum 6063-T6 conducts heat better: 201 W/m·K against 167 W/m·K for Aluminum 6061-T6.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum 6063-T6 expands less: 23.4 µm/m·K against 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6061-T6.

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