Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Plastic LCP GF30

Compare Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Plastic LCP GF30 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic LCP GF30Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	276MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	310MPasourcetypical	115MPasourcetensile strength (ISO 527)
Flexural strength	not sourced	184MPasourcetypical (ISO 178)
Elongation at break	17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen	1.5%sourcetensile elongation (ISO 527)
Young's modulus (stiffness)	68.3GPasourcetypical	11.5GPasourcetensile modulus (ISO 527)
Density	2,700kg/m³sourcenominal	1,610kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	102kN·m/kg43% higher	71.4kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25.3MN·m/kg3.54x higher	7.14MN·m/kg
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	2,673m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C	0.5W/m·Ksourcehot disk (ISO 22007-2), temperature not stated
Thermal expansion	23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	20µm/m·Ksourceflow direction (MD), mean 50-150 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	118µm growth	100µm growth18% less
Specific heat	896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C	839J/kg·KsourceASTM E1269, temperature not stated
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	69mm²/s186x faster	0.37mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	19,159W/m	not sourced
Melting point	582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus	not sourced
Max service temperature	not sourced	288°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa (ISO 75)
Values for	6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J	Sumitomo Chemical SUMIKASUPER LCP E6006L (30% glass fibre; high strength, low shrinkage); SUMIKASUPER LCP Technical Note, Version 04 / Nov. 2023, typical 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 Plastic LCP GF30?

Aluminum 6061-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against tensile strength 115 MPa for Plastic LCP GF30 (2.4x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Plastic LCP GF30?

Plastic LCP GF30 is lighter: 1,610 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6061-T6.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Plastic LCP GF30?

Aluminum 6061-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 68.3 GPa against 11.5 GPa for Plastic LCP GF30, so the same part in Aluminum 6061-T6 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Plastic LCP GF30?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam; Plastic LCP GF30 is lighter for a strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 6061-T6	Plastic LCP GF30
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	3.54x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	45% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	8% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	43% heavier
Strong beam	lighter	7% heavier
Strong panel or plate	8% 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 Plastic LCP GF30?

Aluminum 6061-T6 conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 0.5 W/m·K for Plastic LCP GF30.

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic LCP GF30 expands less: 20 µm/m·K against 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6061-T6.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density