Aluminium alloy 6061 is a medium to high strength heat-treatable alloy with a strength higher than 6005A. It has very good corrosion resistance and very good weldability although reduced strength in the weld zone. It has medium fatigue strength. It has good cold formability in the temper T4, but limited formability in T6 temper. Not suitable for very complex cross sections.
See where BS EN 573-3 Grade 6061 T6 falls on the material property chart for Density against Elastic modulus in your materials selection and design process. Our Ashby charts are interactive with more technical data upon clicking. Sign up to get access to this premium feature for free.
Density
ρ2.7 g/cm³ at 20 °C
Dimensions
Wanddicke
Elongation
AElongation in 50 mm
Coefficient of thermal expansion
α2.36E-5 - 2.4E-5 1/K at 20 °C
derived value between 20°C and the mentioned temperature
Melting point
Tm580 - 650 °C
Specific heat capacity
cp900 J/(kg·K) at 20 °C
derived value for 23-100°C
Thermal conductivity
λ155 - 180 W/(m·K) at 20 °C
derived value
Electrical conductivity
σel2.30E+7 - 2.49E+8 S/m at 20 °C
Typical/derived value
Electrical resistivity
ρel3.7E-8 - 4.35E-8 Ω·m at 20 °C
Typical value
Specific Electrical conductivity
43 % IACS
Typical value
Element
Weight %
Comment
95.9 - 98.6 %
Balance
0.8 - 1.2 %
0.4 - 0.8 %
0.15 - 0.4 %
0.04 - 0.35 %
Application areas
Heavy duty structures (Rail coaches, Truck frames, Ship building, Bridges and Military bridges, Aerospace applications including helicopter rotor), Skins (Tube, Pylons and Towers, Transport, Boilermaking, Motorboats, Rivets).
Brazing
Good
Corrosion properties
Stress corrosion cracking: no damage during operation and laboratory tests (O, T6, T651, T652, T6510, T6511), no damage during operation, limited damage during laboratory tests (T4, T451, T4510, T4511), general: good, without protection in industrial or seawater atmosphere
General machinability
Acceptable
Soldering general
Good
Welding
Gas: Good; Arc: Very Good; Resistance: Good
Workability
Cold: Good
This material data has been provided by Righton Blackburns,MakeItFrom.com,ASM Handbook Volume 2 Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials,WroughtAl_ElectricalResistivity,WroughtAl_Thermal,AluKey.