Aluminium Alloy - Commercial Alloy - 6061 - T6 Extrusions

6061 - T6 Extrusions

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.

Applications
Alloy 6061 is typically used for heavy duty structures in:
~ Rail coaches
~ Truck frames
~ Ship building
~ Bridges and Military bridges
~ Aerospace applications including helicopter rotor skins
~ Tube
~ Pylons and Towers
~ Transport
~ Boilermaking
~ Motorboats
~ Rivets


Chemical Composition

Spec: BS EN 573-3:2009

Alloy 6061

Chemical Element % Present
Manganese (Mn) 0.0 - 0.15
Iron (Fe) 0.0 - 0.70
Magnesium (Mg) 0.80 - 1.20
Silicon (Si) 0.40 - 0.80
Copper (Cu) 0.15 - 0.40
Zinc (Zn) 0.0 - 0.25
Titanium (Ti) 0.0 - 0.15
Chromium (Cr) 0.04 - 0.35
Other (Each) 0.0 - 0.05
Others (Total) 0.0 - 0.15
Aluminium (Al) Balance

Properties

Physical PropertyValue
Density 2.70 g/cm³
Melting Point 650 °C
Thermal Expansion 23.4 x10^-6 /K
Modulus of Elasticity 70 GPa
Thermal Conductivity 166 W/m.K
Electrical Resistivity 0.040 x10^-6 Ω .m

Spec: BS EN 755-2:2008

Extrusions - Up to 200mm Dia. & A/F, 5mm WT for Tube and Prof

Mechanical PropertyValue
Proof Stress 240 Min MPa
Tensile Strength 260 Min MPa
Hardness Brinell 95 HB

Temper Types

The most common temper for 6061 aluminium is:

  • T6 - Solution heat treated and artificially aged

Supplied Forms

Alloy 6061 is typically supplied as

  • Extrusions

Weldability

Weldability – Gas: Good

Weldability – Arc: Very Good

Weldability – Resistance: Good

Brazability: Good

Solderability: Good

 


Fabrication

Workability – Cold: Good

Machinability: Acceptable