Materials / Compare
Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Plastic Polypropylene
Compare Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Plastic Polypropylene 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 | 33MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527 |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 310MPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Elongation at break | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 68.3GPasourcetypical | 1.45GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527 |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal | 900kg/m³sourcetypical, 23 °C ISO 1183-1 |
| Strength to weight | 102kN·m/kg2.79x higher | 36.7kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg15.7x higher | 1.61MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.42sourcebase material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene) |
| Shear modulus | 25.7GPa50.3x stiffer in shear | 0.511GPa |
| Bulk modulus | 67GPa | 3.02GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,030m/s | 1,269m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 0.17–0.22W/m·Ksourcebase material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene) |
| Thermal expansion | 23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 80–100µm/m·Ksourcebase material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 118µm growth3.81x less | 450µm 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/m670x more resistant | 28.6W/m |
| Melting point | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | not sourced |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 90°CsourceHDT 0.45 MPa (ISO 75B), unannealed |
| Values for | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | LyondellBasell Moplen HP501H polypropylene homopolymer (general purpose), typical ISO 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 Plastic Polypropylene?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against 33 MPa for Plastic Polypropylene (8.36x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Plastic Polypropylene?
Plastic Polypropylene is lighter: 900 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6061-T6.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Plastic Polypropylene?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 68.3 GPa against 1.45 GPa for Plastic Polypropylene, 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 Polypropylene?
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; Plastic Polypropylene is lighter for a strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum 6061-T6 | Plastic Polypropylene |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 15.7x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.29x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 20% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 2.79x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 37% heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | 4% 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 Polypropylene?
Aluminum 6061-T6 conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 0.195 W/m·K for Plastic Polypropylene.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 6061-T6 expands less: 23.6 µm/m·K against 90 µm/m·K for Plastic Polypropylene.