Aluminum 2024-T351 vs. Aluminum 6063-T6

Compare Aluminum 2024-T351 vs. Aluminum 6063-T6 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Aluminum 2024-T351Wrought

Mechanical
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Yield strength	324MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen	215MPasourcetypical, T6, 0.0625 in specimen
Ultimate tensile strength	469MPasourcetypical	240MPasourcetypical, T6
Elongation at break	19%sourcetypical, in 4D	12%sourcetypical, T6, in 4D
Young's modulus (stiffness)	73.1GPasourcetypical	69GPasourcetypical
Density	2,770kg/m³sourcenominal	2,700kg/m³sourcenominal, 20 °C
Strength to weight	117kN·m/kg47% higher	79.6kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	26.4MN·m/kg3% higher	25.6MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant), all tempers	not sourced
Shear modulus	27.5GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	71.7GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	5,137m/s	5,055m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	120W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C	201W/m·Ksourcetypical, T6, 20 °C
Thermal expansion	22.9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	23.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	115µm growth2% less	117µm growth
Specific heat	875J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C	901J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C (Hydro EN AW-6063)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	49.5mm²/s	82.6mm²/s1.67x faster
Thermal shock resistance	15,561W/m	not sourced
Melting point	502–638°Csourcemelting range	615–655°Csourcemelting range
Values for	2024-T4/T351, Kaiser Aluminum sheet, coil & plate typical datasheet; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J	6063-T6 extruded tube, Kaiser Aluminum Tube & Pipe Alloy 6063 Technical Data (Rev. 05/06), typical properties; specific heat from Hydro EN AW-6063 extruded-products datasheet (Rev.4, 03/2023).

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 2024-T351 stronger than Aluminum 6063-T6?

Aluminum 2024-T351 is stronger: its yield strength is 324 MPa against 215 MPa for Aluminum 6063-T6 (1.51x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Aluminum 6063-T6?

Aluminum 6063-T6 is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 2,770 kg/m³ for Aluminum 2024-T351.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Aluminum 6063-T6?

Aluminum 2024-T351 is stiffer: Young's modulus 73.1 GPa against 69 GPa for Aluminum 6063-T6, so the same part in Aluminum 2024-T351 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Aluminum 6063-T6?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 2024-T351 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 2024-T351	Aluminum 6063-T6
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	3% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	about equal	about equal
Stiff panel or plate	about equal	about equal
Strong rod or tie	lighter	47% heavier
Strong beam	lighter	28% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	20% 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 2024-T351 or Aluminum 6063-T6?

Aluminum 6063-T6 conducts heat better: 201 W/m·K against 120 W/m·K for Aluminum 2024-T351.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum 2024-T351 expands less: 22.9 µm/m·K against 23.4 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6063-T6.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density