Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Sources4 documents: Kaiser Aluminum, Copper Development Association, Wieland, Hydro
Aluminum 6063-T6
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).
Copper C12200
C12200 phosphorus-deoxidized copper (DHP, the air-conditioning and refrigeration tube copper), tube annealed to 0.050 mm grain size (OS050), 0.065 in. wall, copper.org typical values
C12200 Alloy (copper.org)Copper Development Associationarchived copyCopper C12200 · Yield strength: typical, 0.5% extension under load, 0.065 in. tubeCopper C12200 · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, 0.065 in. tubeCopper C12200 · Elongation at break: typical, 0.065 in. tubeCopper C12200 · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalCopper C12200 · Density: nominalCopper C12200 · Thermal conductivity: typical, 20 °CCopper C12200 · Thermal expansion: typical, mean 20-100 °CCopper C12200 · Specific heat: typical, 20 °CCopper C12200 · Melting point: liquidus
3
Wieland-K19 (Cu-DHP, C12200) Data SheetWielandarchived copyCopper C12200 · Poisson's ratio: reference value at room temperature (Wieland-K19 = Cu-DHP = C12200, rolled products)
4
Technical Datasheet, Extruded Products: Alloy EN AW-6063 (Rev. 4, 2023)Hydroarchived copyAluminum 6063-T6 · Specific heat: typical, 20 °C (Hydro EN AW-6063)
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Aluminum 6063-T6 stronger than Copper C12200?
Aluminum 6063-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 215 MPa against 69 MPa for Copper C12200 (3.12x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Copper C12200?
Aluminum 6063-T6 is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 8,941 kg/m³ for Copper C12200.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Copper C12200?
Copper C12200 is stiffer: Young's modulus 117 GPa against 69 GPa for Aluminum 6063-T6, so the same part in Copper C12200 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Copper C12200?
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
Copper C12200
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
1.95x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.54x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
2.78x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
10.3x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
7.06x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
5.85x 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 is more ductile, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Copper C12200?
Copper C12200 stretches further before it breaks: 45% elongation at break against 12% for Aluminum 6063-T6.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Copper C12200?
Copper C12200 conducts heat better: 339 W/m·K against 201 W/m·K for Aluminum 6063-T6.
Which expands less with temperature?
Copper C12200 expands less: 16.9 µm/m·K against 23.4 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6063-T6.