Materials / Compare
Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Plastic PTFE
Compare Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Plastic PTFE 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 | 9MPasourcetypical yield strength at 23 °C (Teflon PTFE, Table 8) |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 240MPasourcetypical, T6 | 39.3MPasourcetypical, skived tape 0.13 mm |
| Elongation at break | 12%sourcetypical, T6, in 4D | 350%sourcetypical, skived tape 0.13 mm |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 69GPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal, 20 °C | 2,160kg/m³sourcetypical (standard specific gravity, ASTM D4894) |
| Strength to weight | 79.6kN·m/kg19.1x higher | 4.17kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.6MN·m/kg | not sourced |
| Poisson's ratio | not sourced | 0.46sourcetypical, 23 °C (Teflon PTFE resins, Chemours handbook) |
| Shear modulus | not sourced | not sourced |
| Bulk modulus | not sourced | not sourced |
| Speed of sound | 5,055m/s | not sourced |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 201W/m·Ksourcetypical, T6, 20 °C | 0.25W/m·Ksourcetypical, granular resin, 4.6 mm specimen |
| Thermal expansion | 23.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 100µm/m·Ksourcetypical, granular resin, 23-60 °C (ASTM E228) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 117µm growth4.27x less | 500µm growth |
| Specific heat | 901J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C (Hydro EN AW-6063) | 1,400J/kg·Ksourcetypical, granular resin, 20 °C (ASTM D4591) |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 82.6mm²/s999x faster | 0.0827mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | not sourced | not sourced |
| Melting point | 615–655°Csourcemelting range | 327°Csourcesecond melting peak (sintered polymer), +/-10 |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 260°Csourceservice temperature (Chemours general Teflon PTFE statement) |
| 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). | Chemours Teflon PTFE 7C X granular molding resin, typical values (tensile/elongation measured on 0.13 mm skived tape) |
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 PTFE?
Aluminum 6063-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 215 MPa against 9 MPa for Plastic PTFE (23.9x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Plastic PTFE?
Plastic PTFE is lighter: 2,160 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6063-T6.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Plastic PTFE?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 6063-T6 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum 6063-T6 | Plastic PTFE |
|---|---|---|
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 19.1x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 6.64x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 3.91x heavier |
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 PTFE?
Aluminum 6063-T6 conducts heat better: 201 W/m·K against 0.25 W/m·K for Plastic PTFE.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 6063-T6 expands less: 23.4 µm/m·K against 100 µm/m·K for Plastic PTFE.