Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Plastic PMMA

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

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Plastic PMMABulk 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	80MPasourcetypical, 23 °C
Compressive strength	not sourced	110MPasourcecompressive yield stress, typical
Flexural strength	not sourced	115MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	12%sourcetypical, T6, in 4D	5.5%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	69GPasourcetypical	3.3GPasourcetypical, short-term
Density	2,700kg/m³sourcenominal, 20 °C	1,190kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	79.6kN·m/kg18% higher	67.2kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25.6MN·m/kg9.22x higher	2.77MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.37sourcetypical
Shear modulus	not sourced	1.2GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	4.23GPa
Speed of sound	5,055m/s	1,665m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	201W/m·Ksourcetypical, T6, 20 °C	0.19W/m·Ksourcetypical
Thermal expansion	23.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	70µm/m·Ksource0-50 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	117µm growth2.99x less	350µm growth
Specific heat	901J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C (Hydro EN AW-6063)	1,470J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	82.6mm²/s761x faster	0.109mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	41.5W/m
Melting point	615–655°Csourcemelting range	not sourced
Max service temperature	not sourced	80°Csourcemax. permanent service temperature
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).	Röhm PLEXIGLAS GS 0F00 cast acrylic sheet, typical values at 23 °C / 50 % RH (Röhm Technical Information Ref. No. 211-1)

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 PMMA?

Aluminum 6063-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 215 MPa against tensile strength 80 MPa for Plastic PMMA (2.69x).

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

Plastic PMMA is lighter: 1,190 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6063-T6.

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

Aluminum 6063-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 69 GPa against 3.3 GPa for Plastic PMMA, 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 PMMA?

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 PMMA is lighter for a strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 6063-T6	Plastic PMMA
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	9.22x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	2.02x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	21% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	18% heavier
Strong beam	17% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	38% 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 PMMA?

Aluminum 6063-T6 conducts heat better: 201 W/m·K against 0.19 W/m·K for Plastic PMMA.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum 6063-T6 expands less: 23.4 µm/m·K against 70 µm/m·K for Plastic PMMA.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density