Materials / Compare
Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Iron
Compare Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Iron 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 | 186MPasourcetypical (0.2% YS), hot rolled + SRA/recrystallization anneal |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 310MPasourcetypical | 290MPasourcetypical, SRA/recrystallization anneal |
| Elongation at break | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen | 38%sourcetypical, gauge 4D0 |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 68.3GPasourcetypical | 207GPasourcetypical, after SRA/recrystallization anneal |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal | 7,860kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 102kN·m/kg4.32x higher | 23.7kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg | 26.3MN·m/kg4% higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.282sourceNIST critically evaluated best value (polycrystalline iron) |
| Shear modulus | 25.7GPa | 80.7GPa3.14x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 67GPa | 158GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,030m/s | 5,132m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 73.2W/m·Ksourcetypical at 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 13.7µm/m·Ksourcemean, 20-399 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 118µm growth | 68.5µm growth1.72x less |
| Specific heat | 896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 450J/kg·Ksourcetypical |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 69mm²/s3.34x faster | 20.7mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 19,159W/m5.56x more resistant | 3,447W/m |
| Melting point | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | 1,532°Csourcetypical |
| Values for | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | Cleveland-Cliffs / AK Steel ARMCO Pure Iron Product Data Bulletin (07/2022): Table 1 typical physical properties, Table 2 typical mechanical properties after SRA/recrystallization anneal. |
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 Iron?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against 186 MPa for Iron (48%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Iron?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 7,860 kg/m³ for Iron.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Iron?
Iron is stiffer: Young's modulus 207 GPa against 68.3 GPa for Aluminum 6061-T6, so the same part in Iron deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Iron?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Iron is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension).
| Part that must be | Aluminum 6061-T6 | Iron |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 4% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 1.67x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 2.01x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 4.32x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 3.79x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 3.55x 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 Iron?
Aluminum 6061-T6 conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 73.2 W/m·K for Iron.
Which expands less with temperature?
Iron expands less: 13.7 µm/m·K against 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6061-T6.