2011-T3 Aluminum vs. 2011-T6 Aluminum
2011-T3 aluminum alloy has better ductility and fatigue resistance, making it suitable for applications that require good formability; while 2011-T6 aluminum alloy offers higher strength and thermal conductivity, making it suitable for applications with high strength and heat dissipation requirements.
2011-T3 aluminum alloy has better ductility and fatigue resistance, making it suitable for applications that require formability and resistance to repeated stresses, while 2011-T6 aluminum alloy offers higher tensile strength, excellent electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity, making it suitable for structural applications with higher strength and heat dissipation needs.
2011-T3 Aluminum and 2011-T6 Aluminum Performance Comparison Table
| Property | 2011-T3 Aluminum | 2011-T6 Aluminum |
| Tensile Strength | Lower tensile strength | Higher tensile strength |
| Yield Strength | Higher yield strength | Lower yield strength |
| Elongation (Ductility) | Better elongation (more ductile) | Lower elongation (less ductile) |
| Fatigue Strength | Higher fatigue strength | Lower fatigue strength |
| Shear Strength | Similar shear strength | Similar shear strength |
| Thermal Conductivity | Lower thermal conductivity | Higher thermal conductivity |
| Thermal Expansion | Same thermal expansion rate | Same thermal expansion rate |
| Maximum Temperature: Mechanical | Same maximum temperature for mechanical use | Same maximum temperature for mechanical use |
| Melting Completion (Liquidus) | Same melting point | Same melting point |
| Electrical Conductivity | Lower electrical conductivity | Higher electrical conductivity |
| Overall Characteristics | More ductile, better fatigue resistance | Higher strength, better electrical & thermal conductivity |
2011 T3 Aluminum vs. 2011-T6 Aluminum Mechanical Properties
2011 T3 aluminum has better ductility, which allows it to be more easily processed during the forming process, making it suitable for applications that require significant plastic deformation. Relatively speaking, it performs excellently in withstanding repeated stresses and deformations, making it ideal for environments that require good fatigue resistance.
Compared to 2011-T3, 2011-T6 aluminum has significantly higher tensile strength but lower ductility. Its higher tensile strength and hardness make it perform exceptionally well in applications that require withstanding large mechanical loads.
| Property | 2011-T3 Aluminum | 2011-T6 Aluminum |
| Elastic (Young's, Tensile) Modulus, GPa | 71 | 71 |
| Elongation at Break, % | 12 | 8.5 |
| Fatigue Strength, MPa | 120 | 100 |
| Poisson's Ratio | 0.33 | 0.33 |
| Shear Modulus, GPa | 27 | 27 |
| Shear Strength, MPa | 220 | 220 |
| Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), MPa | 360 | 380 |
| Tensile Strength: Yield (Proof), MPa | 280 | 270 |
2011-T3 Aluminum vs. 2011-T6 Aluminum Thermal Properties
| Property | 2011-T3 Aluminum | 2011-T6 Aluminum |
| Latent Heat of Fusion, J/g | 390 | 390 |
| Maximum Temperature: Mechanical, °C | 190 | 190 |
| Melting Completion (Liquidus), °C | 640 | 640 |
| Melting Onset (Solidus), °C | 540 | 540 |
| Specific Heat Capacity, J/kg-K | 870 | 870 |
| Thermal Conductivity, W/m-K | 150 | 170 |
| Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K | 23 | 23 |
2011-T3 Aluminum vs. 2011-T6 Aluminum Electrical Properties
| Property | 2011-T3 Aluminum | 2011-T6 Aluminum |
| Electrical Conductivity: Equal Volume, % IACS | 39 | 45 |
| Electrical Conductivity: Equal Weight (Specific), % IACS | 110 | 130 |
2011 T3 T6 Aluminum Heat Treatment Process
| Aluminum Alloy Condition | Heat Treatment Process |
| 2011-T3 | Solution heat treatment, strain hardening, natural aging |
| 2011-T6 | Solution heat treatment, artificial aging (until standard mechanical properties are achieved) |
2011-T3 Aluminum and 2011-T6 Aluminum Applications
| Aluminum Alloy Condition | Application Fields |
| 2011-T3 | High-strength structural parts, aerospace components, transportation vehicle parts, applications requiring good ductility and fatigue resistance |
| 2011-T6 | High-strength structural applications, electronic device heat sinks, electrical connectors, applications requiring excellent electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity |
How to Choose Between 2011-T3 Aluminum and 2011-T6 Aluminum?
The choice depends on the specific requirements of the application: if strength and heat dissipation performance are prioritized, 2011-T6 should be chosen; if ductility and fatigue performance are prioritized, 2011-T3 is more suitable.
- 2011-T3 Aluminum: Emphasizes ductility, fatigue resistance, and formability, suitable for high cyclic stress environments, stable performance, and capable of withstanding static loads and repeated cyclic loads.
- 2011-T6 Aluminum: Emphasizes tensile strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity, suitable for applications that require strength and heat dissipation, especially in electronics and high-strength structural components.
Strength Requirements
If the application requires higher strength, especially when subjected to large static or dynamic loads, 2011-T6 aluminum alloy is more suitable. Its higher tensile strength makes it ideal for heavy-duty and structural applications.
Ductility Requirements
If better ductility and fatigue resistance are needed, especially under repeated stress, 2011-T3 aluminum alloy is more suitable. Its excellent formability and fatigue resistance make it ideal for applications that require higher plasticity.
Electrical and Thermal Performance
For applications that require good electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity, such as heat dissipation devices, electronic components, etc., 2011-T6 aluminum's superior thermal and electrical conductivity makes it the better choice.