Materials / Compare
Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Plastic PLA
Compare Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Plastic PLA 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 | 52.5MPasourcetypical |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 310MPasourcetypical | 52.5MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) |
| Flexural strength | not sourced | 96.8MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen | 7.8%sourcetypical |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 68.3GPasourcetypical21x stiffer | 3.25GPasourcetypical |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal | 1,240kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 102kN·m/kg2.41x higher | 42.3kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg9.65x higher | 2.62MN·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 | 1,619m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 0.13W/m·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | not sourced |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 118µm growth | not sourced |
| Specific heat | 896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 1,200J/kg·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 69mm²/s790x faster | 0.0874mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 19,159W/m | not sourced |
| Melting point | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | 152°Csourcetypical |
| Glass transition | not sourced | 59.1°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 58.8°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) |
| Values for | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | Ultimaker PLA, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat) orientation; Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS dated April 20, 2022. |
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.
Plastic PLA is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Aluminum 6061-T6 stronger than Plastic PLA?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against 52.5 MPa for Plastic PLA (5.26x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Plastic PLA?
Plastic PLA is lighter: 1,240 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6061-T6.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Plastic PLA?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 68.3 GPa against 3.25 GPa for Plastic PLA, 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 Plastic PLA?
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 | Plastic PLA |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 9.65x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.11x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 27% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 2.41x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 39% heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 5% 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 Plastic PLA?
Aluminum 6061-T6 conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.