Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Plastic LCP GF30

Compare Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Plastic LCP GF30 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic LCP GF30Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	215MPasourcetypical, T6, 0.0625 in specimen	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	240MPasourcetypical, T6	115MPasourcetensile strength (ISO 527)
Flexural strength	not sourced	184MPasourcetypical (ISO 178)
Elongation at break	12%sourcetypical, T6, in 4D	1.5%sourcetensile elongation (ISO 527)
Young's modulus (stiffness)	69GPasourcetypical	11.5GPasourcetensile modulus (ISO 527)
Density	2,700kg/m³sourcenominal, 20 °C	1,610kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	79.6kN·m/kg11% higher	71.4kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25.6MN·m/kg3.58x higher	7.14MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	not sourced
Shear modulus	not sourced	not sourced
Bulk modulus	not sourced	not sourced
Speed of sound	5,055m/s	2,673m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	201W/m·Ksourcetypical, T6, 20 °C	0.5W/m·Ksourcehot disk (ISO 22007-2), temperature not stated
Thermal expansion	23.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	20µm/m·Ksourceflow direction (MD), mean 50-150 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	117µm growth	100µm growth17% less
Specific heat	901J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C (Hydro EN AW-6063)	839J/kg·KsourceASTM E1269, temperature not stated
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	82.6mm²/s223x faster	0.37mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	not sourced
Melting point	615–655°Csourcemelting range	not sourced
Max service temperature	not sourced	288°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa (ISO 75)
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).	Sumitomo Chemical SUMIKASUPER LCP E6006L (30% glass fibre; high strength, low shrinkage); SUMIKASUPER LCP Technical Note, Version 04 / Nov. 2023, typical values.

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 Plastic LCP GF30?

Aluminum 6063-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 215 MPa against tensile strength 115 MPa for Plastic LCP GF30 (1.87x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Plastic LCP GF30?

Plastic LCP GF30 is lighter: 1,610 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6063-T6.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Plastic LCP GF30?

Aluminum 6063-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 69 GPa against 11.5 GPa for Plastic LCP GF30, 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 Plastic LCP GF30?

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; Plastic LCP GF30 is lighter for a strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 6063-T6	Plastic LCP GF30
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	3.58x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	46% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	8% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	11% heavier
Strong beam	11% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	23% 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 Plastic LCP GF30?

Aluminum 6063-T6 conducts heat better: 201 W/m·K against 0.5 W/m·K for Plastic LCP GF30.

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic LCP GF30 expands less: 20 µm/m·K against 23.4 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6063-T6.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density