Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Titanium Ti-6Al-4V

Compare Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Titanium Ti-6Al-4V strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	276MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen	885MPasourcetypical, plate (>0.187 in), annealed, 0.2% offset
Ultimate tensile strength	310MPasourcetypical	940MPasourcetypical, plate, annealed
Elongation at break	17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen	16%sourcetypical, in 2 in., plate annealed
Young's modulus (stiffness)	68.3GPasourcetypical	107–122GPasourcetypical range, 20 °C
Density	2,700kg/m³sourcenominal1.64x lighter	4,430kg/m³sourcenominal
Strength to weight	102kN·m/kg	200kN·m/kg1.95x higher
Stiffness to weight	25.3MN·m/kg	25.8MN·m/kg2% higher
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)	0.342sourcemean of TIMET measurements
Shear modulus	25.7GPa	42.7GPa1.66x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	67GPa	121GPa
Speed of sound	5,030m/s	5,084m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C	6.6W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C, mill annealed
Thermal expansion	23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 0-100 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	118µm growth	45µm growth2.62x less
Specific heat	896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C	580J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	69mm²/s26.9x faster	2.57mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	19,159W/m5.14x more resistant	3,730W/m
Melting point	582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus	1,630–1,650°Csourcemelting range
Max service temperature	not sourced	400°Csourceupper recommended use temperature
Values for	6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J	TIMETAL 6-4 (Ti-6Al-4V Grade 5) annealed plate typical (TIMET properties manual) + TIMET datasheet TMC-0150 physical properties

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 Titanium Ti-6Al-4V?

Titanium Ti-6Al-4V is stronger: its yield strength is 885 MPa against 276 MPa for Aluminum 6061-T6 (3.21x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Titanium Ti-6Al-4V?

Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 4,430 kg/m³ for Titanium Ti-6Al-4V.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Titanium Ti-6Al-4V?

Titanium Ti-6Al-4V is stiffer: Young's modulus 115 GPa against 68.3 GPa for Aluminum 6061-T6, so the same part in Titanium Ti-6Al-4V deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Titanium Ti-6Al-4V?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Titanium Ti-6Al-4V is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 6061-T6	Titanium Ti-6Al-4V
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	2% heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	27% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	38% heavier
Strong rod or tie	1.95x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	33% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	9% 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 Titanium Ti-6Al-4V?

Aluminum 6061-T6 conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 6.6 W/m·K for Titanium Ti-6Al-4V.

Which expands less with temperature?

Titanium Ti-6Al-4V expands less: 9 µm/m·K against 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6061-T6.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density