Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Plastic Nylon PA66

Compare Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Plastic Nylon PA66 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic Nylon PA66Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	215MPasourcetypical, T6, 0.0625 in specimen	85MPasourcetypical, dry
Ultimate tensile strength	240MPasourcetypical, T6	not sourced
Elongation at break	12%sourcetypical, T6, in 4D	30%sourcenominal strain at break, dry
Young's modulus (stiffness)	69GPasourcetypical	3GPasourcetypical, dry
Density	2,700kg/m³sourcenominal, 20 °C	1,130kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	79.6kN·m/kg6% higher	75.2kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25.6MN·m/kg9.63x higher	2.65MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1)
Shear modulus	not sourced	1.07GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	5GPa
Speed of sound	5,055m/s	1,629m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	201W/m·Ksourcetypical, T6, 20 °C	0.33W/m·Ksourcetypical
Thermal expansion	23.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	98µm/m·Ksourcelongitudinal, 23-55 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	117µm growth4.19x less	490µm growth
Specific heat	901J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C (Hydro EN AW-6063)	1,700J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	82.6mm²/s481x faster	0.172mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	57.2W/m
Melting point	615–655°Csourcemelting range	260°CsourceDSC
Max service temperature	not sourced	101°CsourceIEC 60216 temperature index, 20000 h
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).	BASF Ultramid A3K (PA66, unreinforced injection-moulding grade), Product Information 02/2026, dry values (ISO methods)

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 Nylon PA66?

Aluminum 6063-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 215 MPa against 85 MPa for Plastic Nylon PA66 (2.53x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Plastic Nylon PA66?

Plastic Nylon PA66 is lighter: 1,130 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6063-T6.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Plastic Nylon PA66?

Aluminum 6063-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 69 GPa against 3 GPa for Plastic Nylon PA66, 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 Nylon PA66?

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 Nylon PA66 is lighter for a strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 6063-T6	Plastic Nylon PA66
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	9.63x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	2.01x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	19% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	6% heavier
Strong beam	29% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	1.5x 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 Nylon PA66?

Aluminum 6063-T6 conducts heat better: 201 W/m·K against 0.33 W/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA66.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum 6063-T6 expands less: 23.4 µm/m·K against 98 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA66.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density