Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Aluminum ADC12

Compare Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Aluminum ADC12 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	149MPasourceone test result, 0.2% proof stress, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)
Ultimate tensile strength	240MPasourcetypical, T6	345MPasourceone test result, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)
Elongation at break	12%sourcetypical, T6, in 4D	2.3%sourceone test result, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)
Young's modulus (stiffness)	69GPasourcetypical	79.8GPasourcestandard value (S.S.Aluminum)
Density	2,700kg/m³sourcenominal, 20 °C	2,680kg/m³sourcemeasured (Daiki)
Strength to weight	79.6kN·m/kg43% higher	55.6kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25.6MN·m/kg	29.8MN·m/kg17% 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	5,457m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	201W/m·Ksourcetypical, T6, 20 °C	125W/m·Ksourcemeasured on specimens cut from a 50 x 100 x 5 mm flat die casting (Daiki)
Thermal expansion	23.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	21µm/m·Ksourcemeasured, temperature range not stated (Daiki)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	117µm growth	105µm growth11% less
Specific heat	901J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C (Hydro EN AW-6063)	911J/kg·Ksourcemeasured (Daiki)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	82.6mm²/s1.61x faster	51.2mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	not sourced
Melting point	615–655°Csourcemelting range	515–582°Csourcesolidus-liquidus (Daiki)
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).	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 6063-T6 stronger than Aluminum ADC12?

Aluminum 6063-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 215 MPa against 149 MPa for Aluminum ADC12 (44%).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Aluminum ADC12?

Aluminum ADC12 is lighter: 2,680 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6063-T6.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Aluminum ADC12?

Aluminum ADC12 is stiffer: Young's modulus 79.8 GPa against 69 GPa for Aluminum 6063-T6, so the same part in Aluminum ADC12 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Aluminum ADC12?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 6063-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 6063-T6	Aluminum ADC12
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	17% heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	8% heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	6% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	lighter	43% heavier
Strong beam	lighter	27% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	19% 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 ADC12?

Aluminum 6063-T6 conducts heat better: 201 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 23.4 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6063-T6.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density