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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Sources2 documents: Kaiser Aluminum, U.S. Department of Defense
Aluminum
6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties (sheet, coil & plate datasheet); Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J
Aluminum 6061-T6
6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J
1
Alloy 6061 Sheet, Coil & Plate Technical DataKaiser Aluminumarchived copyAluminum · Yield strength: typical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimenAluminum 6061-T6 · Yield strength: typical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimenAluminum · Ultimate tensile strength: typicalAluminum 6061-T6 · Ultimate tensile strength: typicalAluminum · Elongation at break: typical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimenAluminum 6061-T6 · Elongation at break: typical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimenAluminum · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalAluminum 6061-T6 · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalAluminum · Density: nominalAluminum 6061-T6 · Density: nominalAluminum · Thermal conductivity: typical, 20 °CAluminum 6061-T6 · Thermal conductivity: typical, 20 °CAluminum · Thermal expansion: typical, mean 20-100 °CAluminum 6061-T6 · Thermal expansion: typical, mean 20-100 °CAluminum · Specific heat: typical, at 100 °CAluminum 6061-T6 · Specific heat: typical, at 100 °CAluminum · Melting point: solidus-liquidusAluminum 6061-T6 · Melting point: solidus-liquidus
2
MIL-HDBK-5J, Metallic Materials and Elements for Aerospace Vehicle Structures (2003)U.S. Department of DefenseAluminum · Poisson's ratio: typical (handbook physical constant)Aluminum 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 stronger than Aluminum 6061-T6?
Aluminum is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against 276 MPa for Aluminum 6061-T6 (0%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum or Aluminum 6061-T6?
Aluminum is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6061-T6.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum or Aluminum 6061-T6?
Aluminum is stiffer: Young's modulus 68.3 GPa against 68.3 GPa for Aluminum 6061-T6, so the same part in Aluminum deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum or Aluminum 6061-T6?
For the same stiffness or strength they weigh about the same.
Part that must be
Aluminum
Aluminum 6061-T6
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
about equal
about equal
Stiff beam (bending)
about equal
about equal
Stiff panel or plate
about equal
about equal
Strong rod or tie
about equal
about equal
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).
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum or Aluminum 6061-T6?
Aluminum conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 167 W/m·K for Aluminum 6061-T6.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum expands less: 23.6 µm/m·K against 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6061-T6.