Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Aluminum A380

Compare Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Aluminum A380 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

Change either side

Mechanical
Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser	Open in LessCAD	Open in LessCAD
Yield strength	215MPasourcetypical, T6, 0.0625 in specimen	160MPasourcetypical, 25 °C
Ultimate tensile strength	240MPasourcetypical, T6	320MPasourcetypical, 25 °C
Elongation at break	12%sourcetypical, T6, in 4D	3.5%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	69GPasourcetypical	71GPasourcetypical, 25 °C
Density	2,700kg/m³sourcenominal, 20 °C	2,713kg/m³sourcetypical at 68 °F
Strength to weight	79.6kN·m/kg35% higher	59kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25.6MN·m/kg	26.2MN·m/kg2% higher
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	not sourced
Shear modulus	not sourced	not sourced
Bulk modulus	not sourced	not sourced
Speed of sound	5,055m/s	5,116m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	201W/m·Ksourcetypical, T6, 20 °C	96.2W/m·Ksourcetypical at 68 °F
Thermal expansion	23.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	21.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 68-572 °F (20-300 °C)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	117µm growth	109µm growth7% less
Specific heat	901J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C (Hydro EN AW-6063)	963J/kg·Ksourcetypical at 68 °F
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	82.6mm²/s2.24x faster	36.8mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	not sourced
Melting point	615–655°Csourcemelting range	not sourced
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).	A380 aluminium high-pressure die-casting alloy, typical properties; Rheocast Company (aluminium die caster, Germantown WI) A380 alloy data page.

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 A380?

Aluminum 6063-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 215 MPa against 160 MPa for Aluminum A380 (34%).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Aluminum A380?

Aluminum 6063-T6 is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 2,713 kg/m³ for Aluminum A380.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Aluminum A380?

Aluminum A380 is stiffer: Young's modulus 71 GPa against 69 GPa for Aluminum 6063-T6, so the same part in Aluminum A380 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Aluminum A380?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 6063-T6 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Aluminum A380 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension).

Part that must be	Aluminum 6063-T6	Aluminum A380
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	2% heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	about equal	about equal
Stiff panel or plate	about equal	about equal
Strong rod or tie	lighter	35% heavier
Strong beam	lighter	22% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	16% 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 6063-T6 or Aluminum A380?

Aluminum 6063-T6 conducts heat better: 201 W/m·K against 96.2 W/m·K for Aluminum A380.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum A380 expands less: 21.8 µm/m·K against 23.4 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6063-T6.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density