Materials / Compare
Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Aluminum 7050-T7451
Compare Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Aluminum 7050-T7451 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 | 276MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen | 469MPasourcetypical, longitudinal, 0.2% offset |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 310MPasourcetypical | 524MPasourcetypical, longitudinal |
| Elongation at break | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen | 11%sourcetypical, longitudinal |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 68.3GPasourcetypical | 70.3GPasourcetypical |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal | 2,830kg/m³sourcenominal |
| Strength to weight | 102kN·m/kg | 166kN·m/kg1.62x higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg2% higher | 24.8MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) |
| Shear modulus | 25.7GPa | 26.4GPa3% stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 67GPa | 68.9GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,030m/s | 4,984m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 157W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 23.5µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 118µm growth | 118µm growth |
| Specific heat | 896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 860J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 69mm²/s7% faster | 64.5mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 19,159W/m | 29,862W/m1.56x more resistant |
| Melting point | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | 524–635°Csourcemelting range |
| Values for | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | 7050-T7451 plate, Kaiser Aluminum sheet, coil & plate typical datasheet (longitudinal); 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 6061-T6 stronger than Aluminum 7050-T7451?
Aluminum 7050-T7451 is stronger: its yield strength is 469 MPa against 276 MPa for Aluminum 6061-T6 (1.7x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Aluminum 7050-T7451?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 2,830 kg/m³ for Aluminum 7050-T7451.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Aluminum 7050-T7451?
Aluminum 7050-T7451 is stiffer: Young's modulus 70.3 GPa against 68.3 GPa for Aluminum 6061-T6, so the same part in Aluminum 7050-T7451 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Aluminum 7050-T7451?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Aluminum 7050-T7451 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum 6061-T6 | Aluminum 7050-T7451 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 2% heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 3% heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 4% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | 1.62x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 36% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 24% heavier | lighter |
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 6061-T6 or Aluminum 7050-T7451?
Aluminum 6061-T6 conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 157 W/m·K for Aluminum 7050-T7451.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 7050-T7451 expands less: 23.5 µm/m·K against 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6061-T6.