Materials / Compare
Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Plastic PMMA
Compare Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Plastic PMMA 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 | 310MPasourcetypical | 80MPasourcetypical, 23 °C |
| Compressive strength | not sourced | 110MPasourcecompressive yield stress, typical |
| Flexural strength | not sourced | 115MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen | 5.5%sourcetypical |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 68.3GPasourcetypical | 3.3GPasourcetypical, short-term |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal | 1,190kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 102kN·m/kg1.52x higher | 67.2kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg9.12x higher | 2.77MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.37sourcetypical |
| Shear modulus | 25.7GPa21.3x stiffer in shear | 1.2GPa |
| Bulk modulus | 67GPa | 4.23GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,030m/s | 1,665m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 0.19W/m·Ksourcetypical |
| Thermal expansion | 23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 70µm/m·Ksource0-50 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 118µm growth2.97x less | 350µm growth |
| Specific heat | 896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 1,470J/kg·Ksourcetypical |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 69mm²/s636x faster | 0.109mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 19,159W/m462x more resistant | 41.5W/m |
| Melting point | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | not sourced |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 80°Csourcemax. permanent service temperature |
| Values for | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | Röhm PLEXIGLAS GS 0F00 cast acrylic sheet, typical values at 23 °C / 50 % RH (Röhm Technical Information Ref. No. 211-1) |
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 Plastic PMMA?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against tensile strength 80 MPa for Plastic PMMA (3.45x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Plastic PMMA?
Plastic PMMA is lighter: 1,190 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6061-T6.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Plastic PMMA?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 68.3 GPa against 3.3 GPa for Plastic PMMA, 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 PMMA?
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; Plastic PMMA is lighter for a strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum 6061-T6 | Plastic PMMA |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 9.12x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.01x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 21% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 1.52x heavier |
| Strong beam | about equal | about equal |
| Strong panel or plate | 22% heavier | lighter |
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 PMMA?
Aluminum 6061-T6 conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 0.19 W/m·K for Plastic PMMA.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 6061-T6 expands less: 23.6 µm/m·K against 70 µm/m·K for Plastic PMMA.