Materials / Compare
Aluminum 2024-T351 vs. Aluminum 6061-T6
Compare Aluminum 2024-T351 vs. Aluminum 6061-T6 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 324MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen17% stronger | 276MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 469MPasourcetypical1.51x stronger | 310MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 19%sourcetypical, in 4D | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 73.1GPasourcetypical | 68.3GPasourcetypical |
| Density | 2,770kg/m³sourcenominal | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal |
| Strength to weight | 117kN·m/kg14% higher | 102kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 26.4MN·m/kg4% higher | 25.3MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant), all tempers | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) |
| Shear modulus | 27.5GPa7% stiffer in shear | 25.7GPa |
| Bulk modulus | 71.7GPa | 67GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,137m/s | 5,030m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 120W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C39% more heat through a fin |
| Thermal expansion | 22.9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 115µm growth3% less | 118µm growth |
| Specific heat | 875J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 49.5mm²/s | 69mm²/s39% faster |
| Thermal shock resistance | 15,561W/m | 19,159W/m23% more resistant |
| Melting point | 502–638°Csourcemelting range | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus |
| Values for | 2024-T4/T351, Kaiser Aluminum sheet, coil & plate typical datasheet; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J |
Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
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 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.