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).
C36000 free-cutting brass, H02 half-hard rod 1 in. section (20% cold work), copper.org 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 6063-T6 stronger than Brass C360?
Brass C360 is stronger: its yield strength is 310 MPa against 215 MPa for Aluminum 6063-T6 (44%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Brass C360?
Aluminum 6063-T6 is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 8,498 kg/m³ for Brass C360.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Brass C360?
Brass C360 is stiffer: Young's modulus 96.5 GPa against 69 GPa for Aluminum 6063-T6, so the same part in Brass C360 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Brass C360?
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, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Aluminum 6063-T6
Brass C360
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
2.25x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.66x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
2.81x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
2.18x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
2.47x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
2.62x 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 Brass C360?
Aluminum 6063-T6 conducts heat better: 201 W/m·K against 116 W/m·K for Brass C360.
Which expands less with temperature?
Brass C360 expands less: 20.5 µm/m·K against 23.4 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6063-T6.