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).
Bambu Lab ASA, TDS V3.0, printed specimens X-Y; nozzle 260 °C, bed 80 °C, 200 mm/s, 100% infill; annealed and dried 80 °C for 12 h before testing.
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.
FDM ASA is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Aluminum 6063-T6 stronger than FDM ASA?
Aluminum 6063-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 215 MPa against tensile strength 37 MPa for FDM ASA (5.81x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 6063-T6 or FDM ASA?
FDM ASA is lighter: 1,050 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6063-T6.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6063-T6 or FDM ASA?
Aluminum 6063-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 69 GPa against 2.45 GPa for FDM ASA, so the same part in Aluminum 6063-T6 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6063-T6 or FDM ASA?
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; FDM ASA is lighter for a strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Aluminum 6063-T6
FDM ASA
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
11x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.06x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
18% heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
2.26x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
26% heavier
Strong panel or plate
7% 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 FDM ASA?
Aluminum 6063-T6 conducts heat better: 201 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM ASA.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 6063-T6 expands less: 23.4 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for FDM ASA.