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Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Rubber

Compare Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Rubber strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Aluminum 6061-T6Wrought
RubberBulk polymer (molded or machined)
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Mechanical
Yield strength276MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimennot given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength310MPasourcetypical13.5x stronger23MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen830%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)68.3GPasourcetypicalnot sourced
Density2,700kg/m³sourcenominal960kg/m³sourcetypical (specific gravity)
Strength to weight102kN·m/kg4.27x higher24kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight25.3MN·m/kgnot sourced
Poisson's ratio0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)0.5sourcegovernment (NBS J. Res. 68A, 1964): computed by NBS for peroxide-cured gum NR vulcanizate, 25 °C, infinitesimal deformation0.49 in the solver: the linear element locks as the ratio nears 0.5 (nearly incompressible).
Shear modulus25.7GPanot sourced
Bulk modulus67GPanot sourced
Speed of sound5,030m/snot sourced
Thermal
Thermal conductivity167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C0.151W/m·Ksourcegovernment selected value (US Army Natick Laboratories TR 66-49-PR, 1966), soft vulcanized natural rubber, 25 °C
Thermal expansion23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °Cnot sourced
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing118µm growthnot sourced
Specific heat896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C1,881J/kg·Ksourcegovernment (NBS J. Res. 68A, Table 7; values observed for unvulcanized NR by Bekkedahl and Matheson), 25 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)69mm²/s826x faster0.0836mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance19,159W/mnot sourced
Melting point582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidusnot sourced
Max service temperaturenot sourced70°Csourcecontinuous use operating range
Values for6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5JWeir Minerals Linatex Premium rubber (95 % natural rubber), typical physical properties, spec sheet WMD0118/202305

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 Rubber?

Aluminum 6061-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against tensile strength 23 MPa for Rubber (12x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Rubber?

Rubber is lighter: 960 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6061-T6.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Rubber?

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 beAluminum 6061-T6Rubber
Strong rod or tielighter4.27x heavier
Strong beamlighter1.86x heavier
Strong panel or platelighter23% 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 Rubber?

Aluminum 6061-T6 conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 0.151 W/m·K for Rubber.

Among 59 materials

1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless 304Stainless 316Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless 303Stainless 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelAluminum 6061-T6
Stiffness against density
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless 304Stainless 316Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless 303Stainless 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLA Resin Elastic 50ASLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickAluminum 6061-T6Rubber
Strength against density

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