Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Steel A992

Compare Aluminum 6063-T6 vs. Steel A992 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	215MPasourcetypical, T6, 0.0625 in specimen	385MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey), as reported by AISC
Ultimate tensile strength	240MPasourcetypical, T6	505MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey)
Elongation at break	12%sourcetypical, T6, in 4D	not sourced
Young's modulus (stiffness)	69GPasourcetypical	200GPasourcedesign value (AISC 360-16)
Density	2,700kg/m³sourcenominal, 20 °C	7,850kg/m³sourcenominal (constructional data)
Strength to weight	79.6kN·m/kg1.62x higher	49kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25.6MN·m/kg	25.5MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.3sourcedesign value (AISC 360-16 Commentary)
Shear modulus	not sourced	76.9GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	167GPa
Speed of sound	5,055m/s	5,048m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	201W/m·Ksourcetypical, T6, 20 °C	48W/m·Ksourcenominal at 20 °C
Thermal expansion	23.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	12µm/m·Ksourcenominal (constructional data, no temperature range stated)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	117µm growth	60µm growth1.95x less
Specific heat	901J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C (Hydro EN AW-6063)	460–480J/kg·Ksourcebase material: EN S275JR unalloyed structural steel (the EN counterpart of A36), typical, 50/100 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	82.6mm²/s6.35x faster	13mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	5,390W/m
Melting point	615–655°Csourcemelting range	not sourced
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).	ASTM A992 W-shapes; Fy/Fu specified minimums from AISC publications (AISC 360-16 Commentary; Modern Steel Construction); elastic constants AISC 360; physical constants from the bauforumstahl structural-steel EPD, which names A992 among covered product standards.

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 Steel A992?

Steel A992 is stronger: its yield strength is 385 MPa against 215 MPa for Aluminum 6063-T6 (1.79x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Steel A992?

Aluminum 6063-T6 is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 7,850 kg/m³ for Steel A992.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Steel A992?

Steel A992 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 69 GPa for Aluminum 6063-T6, so the same part in Steel A992 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6063-T6 or Steel A992?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 6063-T6 is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 6063-T6	Steel A992
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	about equal	about equal
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.71x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2.04x heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	1.62x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	1.97x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	2.17x 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 Steel A992?

Aluminum 6063-T6 conducts heat better: 201 W/m·K against 48 W/m·K for Steel A992.

Which expands less with temperature?

Steel A992 expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 23.4 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6063-T6.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density