Materials / Compare

Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Magnesium AZ31B-H24

Compare Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Magnesium AZ31B-H24 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Aluminum 6063-T6Wrought
Magnesium AZ31B-H24Wrought
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Mechanical
Yield strength215MPasourcetypical, T6, 0.0625 in specimen220MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, 0.2 % proof stress
Ultimate tensile strength240MPasourcetypical, T6290MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm
Elongation at break12%sourcetypical, T6, in 4D13%sourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, gauge 5.65√A
Young's modulus (stiffness)69GPasourcetypical44.8GPasourcetypical (handbook physical constant)
Density2,700kg/m³sourcenominal, 20 °C1,769kg/m³sourcenominal
Strength to weight79.6kN·m/kg124kN·m/kg1.56x higher
Stiffness to weight25.6MN·m/kg25.3MN·m/kg
Poisson's rationot sourced0.35sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)
Shear modulusnot sourced16.6GPa
Bulk modulusnot sourced49.8GPa
Speed of sound5,055m/s5,032m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity201W/m·Ksourcetypical, T6, 20 °C76.9W/m·Ksourcetypical (temper/temperature not stated)
Thermal expansion23.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C26.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical (temperature range not stated)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing117µm growth15% less134µm growth
Specific heat901J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C (Hydro EN AW-6063)1,040J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)82.6mm²/s1.98x faster41.8mm²/s
Thermal shock resistancenot sourced9,159W/m
Melting point615–655°Csourcemelting rangenot sourced
Max service temperaturenot sourced149°Csourcestated application limit
Values for6063-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).AZ31B-H24 sheet 0.016-0.062 in., MIL-HDBK-5J Table 4.2.1.0(b) (AMS 4377); strengths are S-basis MINIMUMS

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 Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is stronger: its yield strength is 220 MPa against 215 MPa for Aluminum 6063-T6 (2%).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter: 1,769 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6063-T6.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

Aluminum 6063-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 69 GPa against 44.8 GPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24, 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 Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

For the same stiffness or strength: Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must beAluminum 6063-T6Magnesium AZ31B-H24
Stiff rod or tie (tension)about equalabout equal
Stiff beam (bending)23% heavierlighter
Stiff panel or plate32% heavierlighter
Strong rod or tie1.56x heavierlighter
Strong beam1.55x heavierlighter
Strong panel or plate1.54x heavierlighter

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 Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

Aluminum 6063-T6 conducts heat better: 201 W/m·K against 76.9 W/m·K for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum 6063-T6 expands less: 23.4 µm/m·K against 26.8 µm/m·K for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.

Among 72 materials

1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 1100-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Aluminum 6063-T6Magnesium AZ31B-H24
Stiffness against density
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonRubberAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLA Resin Elastic 50ASLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Aluminum A380Aluminum 1100-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Aluminum 6063-T6Magnesium AZ31B-H24
Strength against density

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