Materials / Compare
Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Plastic PTFE
Compare Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Plastic PTFE 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 | 9MPasourcetypical yield strength at 23 °C (Teflon PTFE, Table 8) |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 310MPasourcetypical | 39.3MPasourcetypical, skived tape 0.13 mm |
| Elongation at break | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen | 350%sourcetypical, skived tape 0.13 mm |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 68.3GPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal | 2,160kg/m³sourcetypical (standard specific gravity, ASTM D4894) |
| Strength to weight | 102kN·m/kg24.5x higher | 4.17kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg | not sourced |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.46sourcetypical, 23 °C (Teflon PTFE resins, Chemours handbook) |
| Shear modulus | 25.7GPa | not sourced |
| Bulk modulus | 67GPa | not sourced |
| Speed of sound | 5,030m/s | not sourced |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 0.25W/m·Ksourcetypical, granular resin, 4.6 mm specimen |
| Thermal expansion | 23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 100µm/m·Ksourcetypical, granular resin, 23-60 °C (ASTM E228) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 118µm growth4.24x less | 500µm growth |
| Specific heat | 896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 1,400J/kg·Ksourcetypical, granular resin, 20 °C (ASTM D4591) |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 69mm²/s835x faster | 0.0827mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 19,159W/m | not sourced |
| Melting point | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | 327°Csourcesecond melting peak (sintered polymer), +/-10 |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 260°Csourceservice temperature (Chemours general Teflon PTFE statement) |
| Values for | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | Chemours Teflon PTFE 7C X granular molding resin, typical values (tensile/elongation measured on 0.13 mm skived tape) |
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 PTFE?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against 9 MPa for Plastic PTFE (30.7x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Plastic PTFE?
Plastic PTFE is lighter: 2,160 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6061-T6.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Plastic PTFE?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum 6061-T6 | Plastic PTFE |
|---|---|---|
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 24.5x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 7.84x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 4.43x 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 PTFE?
Aluminum 6061-T6 conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 0.25 W/m·K for Plastic PTFE.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 6061-T6 expands less: 23.6 µm/m·K against 100 µm/m·K for Plastic PTFE.