Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Aluminum 7050-T7451

Compare Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Aluminum 7050-T7451 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	215MPasourcetypical, T6, 0.0625 in specimen	469MPasourcetypical, longitudinal, 0.2% offset
Ultimate tensile strength	240MPasourcetypical, T6	524MPasourcetypical, longitudinal
Elongation at break	12%sourcetypical, T6, in 4D	11%sourcetypical, longitudinal
Young's modulus (stiffness)	69GPasourcetypical	70.3GPasourcetypical
Density	2,700kg/m³sourcenominal, 20 °C	2,830kg/m³sourcenominal
Strength to weight	79.6kN·m/kg	166kN·m/kg2.08x higher
Stiffness to weight	25.6MN·m/kg3% higher	24.8MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)
Shear modulus	not sourced	26.4GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	68.9GPa
Speed of sound	5,055m/s	4,984m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	201W/m·Ksourcetypical, T6, 20 °C	157W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C
Thermal expansion	23.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	23.5µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	117µm growth	118µm growth
Specific heat	901J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C (Hydro EN AW-6063)	860J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	82.6mm²/s28% faster	64.5mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	29,862W/m
Melting point	615–655°Csourcemelting range	524–635°Csourcemelting range
Values for	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).	7050-T7451 plate, Kaiser Aluminum sheet, coil & plate typical datasheet (longitudinal); Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J

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 6063-T6 stronger than Aluminum 7050-T7451?

Aluminum 7050-T7451 is stronger: its yield strength is 469 MPa against 215 MPa for Aluminum 6063-T6 (2.18x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Aluminum 7050-T7451?

Aluminum 6063-T6 is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 2,830 kg/m³ for Aluminum 7050-T7451.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Aluminum 7050-T7451?

Aluminum 7050-T7451 is stiffer: Young's modulus 70.3 GPa against 69 GPa for Aluminum 6063-T6, so the same part in Aluminum 7050-T7451 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Aluminum 7050-T7451?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 6063-T6 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Aluminum 7050-T7451 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 6063-T6	Aluminum 7050-T7451
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	3% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	4% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	4% heavier
Strong rod or tie	2.08x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	1.6x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	41% 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 6063-T6 or Aluminum 7050-T7451?

Aluminum 6063-T6 conducts heat better: 201 W/m·K against 157 W/m·K for Aluminum 7050-T7451.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum 6063-T6 expands less: 23.4 µm/m·K against 23.5 µm/m·K for Aluminum 7050-T7451.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density