Materials / Compare
Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Plastic Polypropylene
Compare Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Plastic Polypropylene strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 215MPasourcetypical, T6, 0.0625 in specimen | 33MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527 |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 240MPasourcetypical, T6 | not sourced |
| Elongation at break | 12%sourcetypical, T6, in 4D | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 69GPasourcetypical | 1.45GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527 |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal, 20 °C | 900kg/m³sourcetypical, 23 °C ISO 1183-1 |
| Strength to weight | 79.6kN·m/kg2.17x higher | 36.7kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.6MN·m/kg15.9x higher | 1.61MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | not sourced | 0.42sourcebase material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene) |
| Shear modulus | not sourced | 0.511GPa |
| Bulk modulus | not sourced | 3.02GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,055m/s | 1,269m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 201W/m·Ksourcetypical, T6, 20 °C | 0.17–0.22W/m·Ksourcebase material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene) |
| Thermal expansion | 23.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 80–100µm/m·Ksourcebase material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 117µm growth3.85x less | 450µm growth |
| Specific heat | 901J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C (Hydro EN AW-6063) | not sourced |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 82.6mm²/s | not sourced |
| Thermal shock resistance | not sourced | 28.6W/m |
| Melting point | 615–655°Csourcemelting range | not sourced |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 90°CsourceHDT 0.45 MPa (ISO 75B), unannealed |
| 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). | LyondellBasell Moplen HP501H polypropylene homopolymer (general purpose), typical ISO 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 Polypropylene?
Aluminum 6063-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 215 MPa against 33 MPa for Plastic Polypropylene (6.52x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Plastic Polypropylene?
Plastic Polypropylene is lighter: 900 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6063-T6.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Plastic Polypropylene?
Aluminum 6063-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 69 GPa against 1.45 GPa for Plastic Polypropylene, 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 Polypropylene?
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 Polypropylene is lighter for a strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum 6063-T6 | Plastic Polypropylene |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 15.9x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.3x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 21% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 2.17x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 16% heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | 18% 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 Polypropylene?
Aluminum 6063-T6 conducts heat better: 201 W/m·K against 0.195 W/m·K for Plastic Polypropylene.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 6063-T6 expands less: 23.4 µm/m·K against 90 µm/m·K for Plastic Polypropylene.
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