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 PAHT-CF, TDS V3.0, printed specimens X-Y, dry state; nozzle 290 °C, bed 100 °C, 100 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 PAHT-CF is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Aluminum 6063-T6 stronger than FDM PAHT-CF?
Aluminum 6063-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 215 MPa against tensile strength 92 MPa for FDM PAHT-CF (2.34x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 6063-T6 or FDM PAHT-CF?
FDM PAHT-CF is lighter: 1,060 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6063-T6.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6063-T6 or FDM PAHT-CF?
Aluminum 6063-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 69 GPa against 3.86 GPa for FDM PAHT-CF, 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 PAHT-CF?
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; FDM PAHT-CF is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Aluminum 6063-T6
FDM PAHT-CF
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
7.02x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
1.66x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
3% heavier
Strong rod or tie
9% heavier
lighter
Strong beam
45% heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
1.67x 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).