Materials / Compare
Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Copper C110
Compare Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Copper C110 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 | 69MPasourcetypical, 0.5% extension under load |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 310MPasourcetypical40% stronger | 221MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen | 55%sourcetypical, 1 in. rod |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 68.3GPasourcetypical | 117GPasourcetypical1.72x stiffer |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal3.3x lighter | 8,913kg/m³sourcenominal |
| Strength to weight | 102kN·m/kg13.2x higher | 7.74kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg1.92x higher | 13.1MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.34sourcereference value at room temperature (Wieland-K32 = Cu-ETP = C11000, rolled products) |
| Shear modulus | 25.7GPa | 43.7GPa1.7x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 67GPa | 122GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,030m/s | 3,626m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 391W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C2.34x more heat through a fin |
| Thermal expansion | 23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 16.9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C40% less |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 118µm growth | 84.5µm growth40% less |
| Specific heat | 896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 385J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 69mm²/s | 114mm²/s1.65x faster |
| Thermal shock resistance | 19,159W/m2.13x more resistant | 8,992W/m |
| Melting point | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | 1,065–1,083°Csourcesolidus-liquidus |
| Values for | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | C11000 ETP copper, annealed to 0.050 mm grain size (OS050), 1 in. rod, copper.org typical values |
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 Copper C110?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against 69 MPa for Copper C110 (4x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Copper C110?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 8,913 kg/m³ for Copper C110.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Copper C110?
Copper C110 is stiffer: Young's modulus 117 GPa against 68.3 GPa for Aluminum 6061-T6, so the same part in Copper C110 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Copper C110?
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, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum 6061-T6 | Copper C110 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 1.92x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.52x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 2.76x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 13.2x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 8.32x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 6.6x 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 6061-T6 or Copper C110?
Copper C110 conducts heat better: 391 W/m·K against 167 W/m·K for Aluminum 6061-T6.
Which expands less with temperature?
Copper C110 expands less: 16.9 µm/m·K against 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6061-T6.