Materials / Compare
Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. FDM HIPS
Compare Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. FDM HIPS 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 | not given (tensile used) |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 310MPasourcetypical16.8x stronger | 18.4MPasourcetypical |
| Flexural strength | not sourced | 31.8MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen | 1.4%sourcetypical |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 68.3GPasourcetypical43x stiffer | 1.59GPasourcetypical |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal | 1,023kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 102kN·m/kg5.68x higher | 18kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg16.3x higher | 1.55MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | not sourced |
| Shear modulus | 25.7GPa | not sourced |
| Bulk modulus | 67GPa | not sourced |
| Speed of sound | 5,030m/s | 1,246m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical |
| Thermal expansion | 23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 80µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 118µm growth3.39x less | 400µm growth |
| Specific heat | 896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | not sourced |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 69mm²/s | not sourced |
| Thermal shock resistance | 19,159W/m | not sourced |
| Melting point | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | not sourced |
| Glass transition | not sourced | 99°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 86°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa |
| Values for | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | BASF Forward AM (BASF 3D Printing Solutions) Ultrafuse HiPS, TDS v2.2 (13.11.2019), printed specimens, XY 'Flat'. Specimen print settings are not stated; recommended processing on the sheet: nozzle 240-260 °C, bed 100-120 °C, 40-80 mm/s. Product is discontinued (Forward AM product page) but the TDS is still served by Forward AM. |
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.
FDM HIPS is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Aluminum 6061-T6 stronger than FDM HIPS?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against tensile strength 18.4 MPa for FDM HIPS (15x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 6061-T6 or FDM HIPS?
FDM HIPS is lighter: 1,023 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6061-T6.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6061-T6 or FDM HIPS?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 68.3 GPa against 1.59 GPa for FDM HIPS, so the same part in Aluminum 6061-T6 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6061-T6 or FDM HIPS?
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 | FDM HIPS |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 16.3x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.48x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 33% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 5.68x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 2.3x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 47% 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 FDM HIPS?
Aluminum 6061-T6 conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM HIPS.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 6061-T6 expands less: 23.6 µm/m·K against 80 µm/m·K for FDM HIPS.