Introduction to 6061 t6 aluminum properties
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What is 6061 aluminum
6061 aluminum is a representative product of 6000 series aluminum alloy. The main added elements are magnesium and silicon, which is called aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloy. The addition of these elements gives 6000 series aluminum alloy excellent properties, such as high strength, excellent corrosion resistance and weldability.
6061 aluminum has the characteristics of high strength, strong corrosion resistance, ultra-high strength-to-weight ratio, good electrical and thermal conductivity, and weldability. Therefore, 6061 aluminum is widely used in the automotive industry, aerospace industry, building materials, machinery industry, etc.
Introduction to 6061 t6 aluminum properties
6061 aluminum Chemical composition
| Element | Percentage (%) |
| Aluminum (Al) | 95.85 – 98.56 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.80 – 1.20 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.40 – 0.80 |
| Iron (Fe) | 0 – 0.70 |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.15 – 0.40 |
| Chromium (Cr) | Trace amounts up to 0.04 |
What is the meaning of T6
T6 is the one of tempers of 6061-t6 aluminum, 6061 aluminum tempers incloud:
- 6061-O: Annealed (softened) condition, which is the easiest to form.
- 6061-T4: Solution heat-treated and naturally aged, providing moderate strength.
- 6061-T6: Solution heat-treated and artificially aged, offering high strength.
- 6061-T651: Stress-relieved by stretching, offering similar properties to 6061-T6 but with reduced residual stress.
What Are the Physical Properties of 6061 Aluminum Alloy
- Color: Silver-gray.
- Luster: Metallic.
- Malleability: High, allowing for easy shaping and forming.
- Ductility: Good, enabling the material to be drawn into wires or stretched.
- Conductivity: High electrical conductivity.
- Thermal Expansion: 23.6 x 10^-6 K^-1 (at 25°C).
- Crystal Structure: Face-centered cubic (FCC).
- Reflectivity: High reflectivity to both visible and infrared radiation.
- Texture: Smooth and typically free from visible impurities.
6061 t6 aluminum properties introduction
6061 aluminum properties
6061 aluminum alloy is a heat-strengthened alloy with good plasticity, weldability, processability and medium strength. After annealing, it can still maintain good processing performance.
The main alloying elements of 6061 aluminum alloy are magnesium and silicon, which have medium strength, good corrosion resistance, weldability and good oxidation effect.
6061 aluminum alloy contains a small amount of Cu, so its strength is higher than 6063, but its quenching sensitivity is also higher than 6063. It cannot be quenched by air after extrusion, and requires re-dissolution treatment and quenching aging treatment to obtain higher strength.
6061 aluminum yield strength
6061-T6. T6 temper 6061 has an ultimate tensile strength of at least 42,000 psi (290 MPa) and yield strength of at least 35,000 psi (241 MPa).
6061 t6 aluminum properties
| Mechanical Properties | |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 45,000 psi |
| Yield strength | 40,000 psi |
| Shear strength | 30,000 psi |
| Brinell hardness | 95 |
| Physical Properties | |
| Density | 0.0975 lb/in³ |
| Melting point | 1,080–1,205 °F |
| Modulus of elasticity | 10,000 ksi |
| Poisson’s ratio | 0.33 |
| Thermal Properties | |
| Specific heat capacity | 0.214 BTU/lb-°F |
| Thermal conductivity | 1,160 BTU-in/hr-ft²-°F |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion | 13.1 µin/in-°F |
6061-t6 aluminum density
The density of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy is approximately 2.70 g/cm^3 or 2.70 g/mL.
The 6061-T6 aluminum alloy is one of the most commonly used aluminum alloys. It is a heat-treatable alloy that has good mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and weldability. The “T6” designation indicates that the alloy has been solution heat-treated and artificially aged to achieve its maximum strength.
The specific density of 6061-T6 aluminum can vary slightly depending on the exact composition and manufacturing process, but 2.70 g/cm^3 is the commonly accepted standard value.
