Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Iron

Compare Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Iron strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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IronWrought

Mechanical
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Yield strength	215MPasourcetypical, T6, 0.0625 in specimen	186MPasourcetypical (0.2% YS), hot rolled + SRA/recrystallization anneal
Ultimate tensile strength	240MPasourcetypical, T6	290MPasourcetypical, SRA/recrystallization anneal
Elongation at break	12%sourcetypical, T6, in 4D	38%sourcetypical, gauge 4D0
Young's modulus (stiffness)	69GPasourcetypical	207GPasourcetypical, after SRA/recrystallization anneal
Density	2,700kg/m³sourcenominal, 20 °C	7,860kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	79.6kN·m/kg3.36x higher	23.7kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25.6MN·m/kg	26.3MN·m/kg3% higher
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.282sourceNIST critically evaluated best value (polycrystalline iron)
Shear modulus	not sourced	80.7GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	158GPa
Speed of sound	5,055m/s	5,132m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	201W/m·Ksourcetypical, T6, 20 °C	73.2W/m·Ksourcetypical at 20 °C
Thermal expansion	23.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	13.7µm/m·Ksourcemean, 20-399 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	117µm growth	68.5µm growth1.71x less
Specific heat	901J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C (Hydro EN AW-6063)	450J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	82.6mm²/s3.99x faster	20.7mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	3,447W/m
Melting point	615–655°Csourcemelting range	1,532°Csourcetypical
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).	Cleveland-Cliffs / AK Steel ARMCO Pure Iron Product Data Bulletin (07/2022): Table 1 typical physical properties, Table 2 typical mechanical properties after SRA/recrystallization anneal.

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 Iron?

Aluminum 6063-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 215 MPa against 186 MPa for Iron (16%).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Iron?

Aluminum 6063-T6 is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 7,860 kg/m³ for Iron.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Iron?

Iron is stiffer: Young's modulus 207 GPa against 69 GPa for Aluminum 6063-T6, so the same part in Iron deflects less under the same load.

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

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 6063-T6 is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Iron is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension).

Part that must be	Aluminum 6063-T6	Iron
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	3% heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.68x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2.02x heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	3.36x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	3.21x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	3.13x 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 Iron?

Aluminum 6063-T6 conducts heat better: 201 W/m·K against 73.2 W/m·K for Iron.

Which expands less with temperature?

Iron expands less: 13.7 µm/m·K against 23.4 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6063-T6.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density