Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Aluminum ADC12

Compare Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Aluminum ADC12 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	149MPasourceone test result, 0.2% proof stress, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)
Ultimate tensile strength	310MPasourcetypical	345MPasourceone test result, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)
Elongation at break	17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen	2.3%sourceone test result, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)
Young's modulus (stiffness)	68.3GPasourcetypical	79.8GPasourcestandard value (S.S.Aluminum)
Density	2,700kg/m³sourcenominal	2,680kg/m³sourcemeasured (Daiki)
Strength to weight	102kN·m/kg1.84x higher	55.6kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25.3MN·m/kg	29.8MN·m/kg18% higher
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)	not sourced
Shear modulus	25.7GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	67GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	5,030m/s	5,457m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C	125W/m·Ksourcemeasured on specimens cut from a 50 x 100 x 5 mm flat die casting (Daiki)
Thermal expansion	23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	21µm/m·Ksourcemeasured, temperature range not stated (Daiki)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	118µm growth	105µm growth12% less
Specific heat	896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C	911J/kg·Ksourcemeasured (Daiki)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	69mm²/s35% faster	51.2mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	19,159W/m	not sourced
Melting point	582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus	515–582°Csourcesolidus-liquidus (Daiki)
Values for	6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J	JIS ADC12 (Al-Si-Cu, about A383 / EN AC-46100) high-pressure die-casting alloy, as cast; physical properties from Daiki Aluminium Industry (ADC12 ingot producer) measured values; modulus from S.S.Aluminum (ADC12 ingot producer) standard 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 Aluminum ADC12?

Aluminum 6061-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against 149 MPa for Aluminum ADC12 (1.85x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Aluminum ADC12?

Aluminum ADC12 is lighter: 2,680 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6061-T6.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Aluminum ADC12?

Aluminum ADC12 is stiffer: Young's modulus 79.8 GPa against 68.3 GPa for Aluminum 6061-T6, so the same part in Aluminum ADC12 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Aluminum ADC12?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Aluminum ADC12 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 6061-T6	Aluminum ADC12
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	18% heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	9% heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	6% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	lighter	1.84x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	50% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	35% 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 Aluminum ADC12?

Aluminum 6061-T6 conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 125 W/m·K for Aluminum ADC12.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum ADC12 expands less: 21 µm/m·K against 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6061-T6.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density