Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Plastic PLA

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

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	215MPasourcetypical, T6, 0.0625 in specimen	52.5MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	240MPasourcetypical, T6	52.5MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)
Flexural strength	not sourced	96.8MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	12%sourcetypical, T6, in 4D	7.8%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	69GPasourcetypical21.2x stiffer	3.25GPasourcetypical
Density	2,700kg/m³sourcenominal, 20 °C	1,240kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	79.6kN·m/kg1.88x higher	42.3kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25.6MN·m/kg9.75x higher	2.62MN·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	1,619m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	201W/m·Ksourcetypical, T6, 20 °C	0.13W/m·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C
Thermal expansion	23.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	not sourced
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	117µm growth	not sourced
Specific heat	901J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C (Hydro EN AW-6063)	1,200J/kg·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	82.6mm²/s946x faster	0.0874mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	not sourced
Melting point	615–655°Csourcemelting range	152°Csourcetypical
Glass transition	not sourced	59.1°Csourcetypical
Max service temperature	not sourced	58.8°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
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).	Ultimaker PLA, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat) orientation; Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS dated April 20, 2022.

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.

Plastic PLA is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is Aluminum 6063-T6 stronger than Plastic PLA?

Aluminum 6063-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 215 MPa against 52.5 MPa for Plastic PLA (4.1x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Plastic PLA?

Plastic PLA is lighter: 1,240 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6063-T6.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Plastic PLA?

Aluminum 6063-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 69 GPa against 3.25 GPa for Plastic PLA, 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 PLA?

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

Part that must be	Aluminum 6063-T6	Plastic PLA
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	9.75x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	2.12x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	27% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	1.88x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	18% heavier
Strong panel or plate	8% 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 PLA?

Aluminum 6063-T6 conducts heat better: 201 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density