Materials / Compare
Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum
Compare Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum 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 | 270MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 310MPasourcetypical | 450MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal |
| Elongation at break | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen | 10.2%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 68.3GPasourcetypical | 72GPasourcesame material and process, different machine maker: Renishaw RenAM 500, 30 µm, as built, horizontal (XY) |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal | 2,670kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), EOS M 290, AlSi10Mg_030_FlexM291 (30 µm) |
| Strength to weight | 102kN·m/kg1% higher | 101kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg | 27MN·m/kg7% higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.33sourcebase material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (Al-9Si-0.6Mg, closest MIL-HDBK-5J alloy to AlSi10Mg / EN AC-43000) |
| Shear modulus | 25.7GPa | 27.1GPa5% stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 67GPa | 70.6GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,030m/s | 5,193m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 110W/m·Ksourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal (ISO 22007-2) |
| Thermal expansion | 23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 20µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228 |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 118µm growth | 100µm growth18% less |
| Specific heat | 896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 963J/kg·Ksourcebase material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (MIL-HDBK-5J), at 100 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 69mm²/s1.61x faster | 42.8mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 19,159W/m39% more resistant | 13,819W/m |
| Melting point | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | not sourced |
| Values for | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | 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 |
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.
DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
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 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.