P100Gr/6061Al
P100Gr/6061Al is a 6061 aluminum matrix reinforced with continuous P100 high-modulus pitch-based graphite fiber, available in unidirectional (UD45-F, UD55-F), cross-ply (XP-0/90), quasi-isotropic and T6 forms.
Reference datasheet — P100Gr/6061Al is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the UD45-F condition
P100Gr/6061Al grades and fills
P100Gr/6061Al is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. UD45-F is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quasi-isotropic [0/±45/90] laminate | Use for housings and mounting plates with multidirectional loads or isotropic dimensional stability; the [0/±45/90] lay-up gives the smallest stiffness gain (130 GPa) but the simplest design. | 230 | 250 | 0.4 | |
[0/90] cross-ply laminate | Choose for panels and baseplates loaded in two directions: the cross-plied lay-up balances stiffness (175 GPa) and CTE in both principal axes, with in-plane expansion tunable to near zero. | 330 | 0.3 | ||
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Use when matrix-dominated transverse, shear and bearing strength must be raised; the solution-treated and artificially aged matrix needs tight temperature and time control to avoid interfacial Al4C3 and residual thermal stress. | 580 | 660 | 0.25 | |
UD Vf≈55% | Pick for maximum axial stiffness (400 GPa), 380 W/m·K conduction and near-zero or negative CTE; at ~55% fibre volume the transverse and shear properties drop further. | 600 | 700 | 0.25 | |
UD45-FDefault UD Vf≈45% | Standard unidirectional Vf≈45% plate in as-fabricated condition: near-zero axial expansion and 320 GPa modulus suit truss struts and other one-dimensional load paths, with only 0.3 % elongation. | 620 | 0.3 |
What is P100Gr/6061Al?
P100Gr/6061Al is a 6061 aluminum matrix reinforced with continuous P100 high-modulus pitch-based graphite fiber, available in unidirectional (UD45-F, UD55-F), cross-ply (XP-0/90), quasi-isotropic and T6 forms. It is specified for dimensionally stable, thermally conductive space structures: 320 GPa modulus and 320 W/m·K at 2.5 g/cm³, with 620 MPa tensile strength and near-zero CTE along the fibers. Elongation is 0.3%, service is limited to about 350 °C, and exposed graphite drives galvanic corrosion at cut edges, so every face must be sealed. Cost and limited availability restrict it to spacecraft hardware; high-modulus CFRP is the usual alternative. P100Gr/6061Al has a density of 2.5 g/cm³ (0.0903 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of composite grades. P100Gr/6061Al has a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi), stronger than 69% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 0.3% and the elastic modulus is 320 GPa (46.4 Msi).
What is P100Gr/6061Al used for?
- satellite optical benches
- space truss structures
- antenna support structures
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 320 W/m·K (184.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of composite grades
- Stiff — 320 GPa (46.4 Msi), better than 93% of composite grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 28/100, worse than 99% of composite grades
- Limited ductility — 0.3%, worse than 95% of composite grades
- Difficult to machine — 12/100, worse than 89% of composite grades
- High embodied carbon — 32 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 84% of composite grades
- Heavy — 2.5 g/cm³ (0.0903 lb/in³), worse than 81% of composite grades
P100Gr/6061Al properties
Typical room-temperature values for P100Gr/6061Al-UD45-F; bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical1
P100Gr/6061Al has a density of 2.5 g/cm³ (0.0903 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of composite grades.
Mechanical11
P100Gr/6061Al has a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi), stronger than 69% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 0.3% and the elastic modulus is 320 GPa (46.4 Msi).
Thermal6
P100Gr/6061Al is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 320 W/m·K (184.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 0.5 µm/m·K (0.278 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
P100Gr/6061Al has an electrical resistivity of 5×10⁻⁸ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (28/100), worse than 99% of composite grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of P100Gr/6061Al takes about 480 MJ of energy and emits 32 kg of CO₂ — more than 81% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability2
P100Gr/6061Al's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 89% of composite grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the composite family
Yield strength against density for every composite grade FabDigit runs. P100Gr/6061Al is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with P100Gr/6061Al
Is P100Gr/6061Al easy to machine?
Requires PCD or CVD-diamond tooling at high speed and low feed with full coolant to avoid fiber pull-out and delamination. Use water-guided laser or diamond grinding for holes and edge trimming; ordinary carbide tool life is extremely short.
Can P100Gr/6061Al be welded?
Not fusion weldable — the weld pool destroys the fibers and forms brittle Al4C3. Join with mechanical fasteners using titanium or aluminum bushings, adhesive bonding, or low-temperature vacuum brazing and diffusion bonding, with galvanic isolation at the interfaces.
Can P100Gr/6061Al be formed, bent or molded?
Near-net shape only: aluminum foil and fiber stacks are vacuum hot pressed and diffusion bonded, or pressure-infiltration cast with tight control of temperature and hold time to suppress interface reaction. Consolidated parts cannot be cold bent or reformed.
P100Gr/6061Al chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| P100 pitch-based graphite fiberwt%; 40–55 vol%; fiber modulus ~760 GPa; axial CTE ~-1.4 µm/m·K | 34 – 50 | 39 |
| Mg6061 matrix composition (matrix basis, GB/T 3190 / AA) | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Simatrix basis | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Cumatrix basis | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.28 |
| Crmatrix basis | 0.04 – 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Feimpurity limit, matrix basis | ≤ 0.7 | 0.3 |
| Mnmatrix basis | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Znmatrix basis | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Timatrix basis | ≤ 0.15 | 0.03 |
| Albalance of 6061 matrix; ~60 wt% of the composite | balance |
What surface finishes work on P100Gr/6061Al?
Seal all edges and cut-outs and protect the whole part with ion vapor deposited aluminum, nickel plating, chemical conversion coating or paint. Galvanic corrosion between bare graphite and aluminum is the main failure source; space parts add low-outgassing and thermal-control coatings.
How much does P100Gr/6061Al cost?
P100Gr/6061Al is a high-cost composite ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
P100Gr/6061Al — frequently asked
What is P100Gr/6061Al used for?
P100Gr/6061Al is typically used for satellite optical benches, space truss structures and antenna support structures. In short: near-zero CTE composite; 320 GPa and 320 W/m·K; space-structure grade.
What is the tensile strength of P100Gr/6061Al?
P100Gr/6061Al has a typical tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 69% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is P100Gr/6061Al easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 89% of composite grades). Requires PCD or CVD-diamond tooling at high speed and low feed with full coolant to avoid fiber pull-out and delamination. Use water-guided laser or diamond grinding for holes and edge trimming; ordinary carbide tool life is extremely short.
Can P100Gr/6061Al be welded?
Not fusion weldable — the weld pool destroys the fibers and forms brittle Al4C3. Join with mechanical fasteners using titanium or aluminum bushings, adhesive bonding, or low-temperature vacuum brazing and diffusion bonding, with galvanic isolation at the interfaces.
What surface finishes work on P100Gr/6061Al?
Seal all edges and cut-outs and protect the whole part with ion vapor deposited aluminum, nickel plating, chemical conversion coating or paint. Galvanic corrosion between bare graphite and aluminum is the main failure source; space parts add low-outgassing and thermal-control coatings.
Can P100Gr/6061Al be formed, bent or molded?
Near-net shape only: aluminum foil and fiber stacks are vacuum hot pressed and diffusion bonded, or pressure-infiltration cast with tight control of temperature and hold time to suppress interface reaction. Consolidated parts cannot be cold bent or reformed.
What is the maximum service temperature of P100Gr/6061Al?
P100Gr/6061Al is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F), and briefly to 450°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between P100Gr/6061Al UD45-F and P100Gr/6061Al UD55-F?
UD45-F is the default condition — standard unidirectional Vf≈45% plate in as-fabricated condition: near-zero axial expansion and 320 GPa modulus suit truss struts and other one-dimensional load paths, with only 0.3 % elongation. UD55-F: pick for maximum axial stiffness (400 GPa), 380 W/m·K conduction and near-zero or negative CTE; at ~55% fibre volume the transverse and shear properties drop further.
How much does P100Gr/6061Al cost?
P100Gr/6061Al is a high-cost composite ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol.21: Composites — Metal Matrix Composites — ASM International (2001)
- MIL-HDBK-17 / CMH-17 Vol.4: Metal Matrix Composites — US DoD / SAE (2002)
- Thornel P-100 Pitch-Based Carbon Fiber Data Sheet — Cytec / Solvay (formerly Amoco) (2012)
- Aluminum Standards and Data (6061 matrix composition) — The Aluminum Association (2015)
- Graphite/Aluminum composite structural test reports — NASA / AFML technical reports (1990)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.