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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Sources5 documents: Kaiser Aluminum, EOS GmbH, Renishaw, U.S. Department of Defense
Aluminum 6061-T6
6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J
DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum
EOS Aluminium AlSi10Mg (powder 9011-0024), EOS M 290 | 30 µm process (AlSi10Mg_FlexM291 2.01), as manufactured, horizontal; machined (turned) specimens, ISO 6892-1 B10
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
EOS Aluminium AlSi10Mg Material Data SheetEOS GmbHarchived copyDMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum · Yield strength: typical, as manufactured, horizontalDMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, as manufactured, horizontalDMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum · Elongation at break: typical at break, as manufactured, horizontalDMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum · Thermal conductivity: typical, as manufactured, horizontal (ISO 22007-2)DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum · Thermal expansion: mean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228
3
RenAM 500 Series Aluminium AlSi10Mg Material Data SheetRenishawDMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum · Young's modulus (stiffness): same material and process, different machine maker: Renishaw RenAM 500, 30 µm, as built, horizontal (XY)
4
EOS Aluminium AlSi10Mg Material Data Sheet, FlexLine, M 290 (2018)EOS GmbHarchived copyDMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum · Density: typical part density (ISO 3369), EOS M 290, AlSi10Mg_030_FlexM291 (30 µm)
5
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)DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum · Poisson's ratio: base material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (Al-9Si-0.6Mg, closest MIL-HDBK-5J alloy to AlSi10Mg / EN AC-43000)DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum · Specific heat: base material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (MIL-HDBK-5J), at 100 °C
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.
DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Aluminum 6061-T6 stronger than DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against 270 MPa for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum (2%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 6061-T6 or DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum?
DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is lighter: 2,670 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6061-T6.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6061-T6 or DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum?
DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is stiffer: Young's modulus 72 GPa against 68.3 GPa for Aluminum 6061-T6, so the same part in DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6061-T6 or DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter for a strong rod or tie; DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate.
Part that must be
Aluminum 6061-T6
DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
7% heavier
lighter
Stiff beam (bending)
4% heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
3% heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
lighter
1% heavier
Strong beam
about equal
about equal
Strong panel or plate
about equal
about equal
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 DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum?
Aluminum 6061-T6 stretches further before it breaks: 17% elongation at break against 10.2% for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum 6061-T6 or DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum?
Aluminum 6061-T6 conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 110 W/m·K for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum.
Which expands less with temperature?
DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum expands less: 20 µm/m·K against 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6061-T6.