Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Plastic UHMWPE

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

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Plastic UHMWPEBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	215MPasourcetypical, T6, 0.0625 in specimen	20MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527, 50 mm/min
Ultimate tensile strength	240MPasourcetypical, T6	43MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at break ISO 527, 50 mm/min
Elongation at break	12%sourcetypical, T6, in 4D	465%sourcetypical, nominal elongation at break ISO 527
Young's modulus (stiffness)	69GPasourcetypical	0.66GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527, 1 mm/min
Density	2,700kg/m³sourcenominal, 20 °C	930kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	79.6kN·m/kg3.7x higher	21.5kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25.6MN·m/kg36x higher	0.71MN·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	842m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	201W/m·Ksourcetypical, T6, 20 °C	0.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, unfilled (narrative value, generic Celanese UHMWPE)
Thermal expansion	23.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	200µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 to 100 °C (generic Celanese UHMWPE)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	117µm growth8.55x less	1,000µm 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	not sourced
Melting point	615–655°Csourcemelting range	130–138°CsourceDSC 10 K/min
Max service temperature	not sourced	80°Csourcerecommended max constant operating 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).	Celanese GUR 4120 (avg. molecular weight 4.7x10^6 g/mol), typical values on compression-molded specimens; CTE and thermal conductivity from Celanese's generic UHMWPE guide (grade not named)

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 UHMWPE?

Aluminum 6063-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 215 MPa against 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (10.8x).

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

Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6063-T6.

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

Aluminum 6063-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 69 GPa against 0.66 GPa for Plastic UHMWPE, 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 UHMWPE?

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, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 6063-T6	Plastic UHMWPE
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	36x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	3.52x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	1.62x heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	3.7x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	1.68x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	13% 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 UHMWPE?

Aluminum 6063-T6 conducts heat better: 201 W/m·K against 0.4 W/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum 6063-T6 expands less: 23.4 µm/m·K against 200 µm/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density