Aluminum 2060-T6
Temper
AA 2060 · UNS A02060, A92060
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Peak-aged condition of 206.0 giving the highest yield strength and hardness of the alloy at the cost of ductility and SCC resistance.
Values for the T6 condition
Other 2060 tempers and conditions
2060 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 2060.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Premium-strength Al-Cu-Mg-Mn-Ti casting alloy solution treated and naturally aged; highest ductility/toughness of the 206.0 tempers with moderate yield strength. | 260 | 430 | 12 | 90 HB | 32 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Standard commercial temper for 206.0/A206.0 premium castings: overaged for dimensional and thermal stability with high strength plus better toughness and SCC resistance than T6. | 345 | 435 | 11 | 105 HB | 39 % IACS |
T6This page Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Peak-aged condition of 206.0 giving the highest yield strength and hardness of the alloy at the cost of ductility and SCC resistance. | 380 | 450 | 6 | 120 HB | 35 % IACS |
Alcoa proprietary T8 plate temper | Producer-specific plate temper for machined lower-wing/internal structure; specify when the drawing calls out 2060-T8E86 plate. | 455 | 490 | 8 | 147 HB | 30 % IACS |
T8, stress relieved by stretching | Choose for machined plate parts (ribs, spars, frames) where low residual stress and dimensional stability after milling are critical. | 460 | 495 | 9 | 148 HB | 30 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked and artificially aged | Generic peak-aged T8 family designation; pick when the drawing/order calls out 2060-T8 without a sub-temper. | 470 | 500 | 10 | 150 HB | 30 % IACS |
T81Default Solution heat treated, cold worked (minor straightening) and… | Standard stocked condition for 2060 sheet and thin plate used in fuselage skins — highest strength/damage-tolerance combination. | 475 | 505 | 10 | 150 HB | 30 % IACS |
Alcoa proprietary T8 sheet temper | Producer-specific sheet temper originally released for fuselage skin; order this when the aerospace material spec names 2060-T8E30. | 483 | 517 | 11 | 152 HB | 30 % IACS |
T8 with 7 % cold work | Highest-strength stocked temper; select for strength-critical, low-thickness structure where reduced ductility and toughness are acceptable. | 500 | 525 | 8 | 158 HB | 29 % IACS |
What is 2060-T6?
2060-T6 is 2060 in the T6 temper — peak-aged condition of 206.0 giving the highest yield strength and hardness of the alloy at the cost of ductility and SCC resistance. 2060-T6 has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — stronger than 86% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). 2060-T6 has a density of 2.8 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of aluminum grades. It melts at 570°C (1,058 °F). T81 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T6 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 380 MPa (55.1 ksi), better than 86% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 30/100, worse than 98% of aluminum grades
2060-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2060-T6; 35 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 2060 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2060-T6 has a density of 2.8 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of aluminum grades. It melts at 570°C (1,058 °F).
Mechanical13
2060-T6 has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — stronger than 86% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
2060-T6 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 130 W/m·K (75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 65% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.5 µm/m·K (12.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2060-T6 conducts electricity at 35 % IACS, better than 52% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), worse than 98% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2060-T6 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
2060-T6's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2060-T6
Is 2060 easy to machine?
Machines like 2024-T851 with polished carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; Li/Zr constituents are mildly abrasive and chips must be kept dry and separate from other Al scrap.
Can 2060 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (Li burn-off, porosity, hot cracking); joined by riveting, bolting, friction-stir welding or laser/FSW-assisted processes.
Can 2060 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in the freshly quenched or T3-like condition and then age; T8 tempers have limited bend ductility and marked anisotropy, so bend axis vs. rolling direction must be specified.
What surface finishes work on 2060?
Alkaline clean + deox then chromate-free conversion coating or thin-film/chromic anodize plus epoxy primer; isolate from CFRP and steel fasteners with sealant to avoid galvanic attack.
2060 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Si | ≤ 0.07 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.07 | |
| Cu | 3.4 – 4.5 | 3.95 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Mg | 0.6 – 1.1 | 0.85 |
| Zn | 0.3 – 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Li | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| Ag | 0.05 – 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Zr | 0.05 – 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
2060-T6 — frequently asked
What is 2060-T6 used for?
2060-T6 is typically used for aerospace fuselage skins, stringers and stiffeners, fuselage frames, machined structural fittings, floor beams and seat structure and defence structural castings and machined parts. In short: 3rd-generation Al-Li; damage-tolerant.
What is the yield strength of 2060-T6?
2060-T6 has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — stronger than 86% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 2060-T6 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades). Machines like 2024-T851 with polished carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; Li/Zr constituents are mildly abrasive and chips must be kept dry and separate from other Al scrap.
Can 2060-T6 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Fusion welding is not recommended (Li burn-off, porosity, hot cracking); joined by riveting, bolting, friction-stir welding or laser/FSW-assisted processes.
What surface finishes work on 2060-T6?
Alkaline clean + deox then chromate-free conversion coating or thin-film/chromic anodize plus epoxy primer; isolate from CFRP and steel fasteners with sealant to avoid galvanic attack.
Can 2060-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in the freshly quenched or T3-like condition and then age; T8 tempers have limited bend ductility and marked anisotropy, so bend axis vs. rolling direction must be specified.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2060-T6?
2060-T6 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 2060-T81 and 2060-T4?
T81 is the default condition — standard stocked condition for 2060 sheet and thin plate used in fuselage skins — highest strength/damage-tolerance combination. T4: premium-strength Al-Cu-Mg-Mn-Ti casting alloy solution treated and naturally aged; highest ductility/toughness of the 206.0 tempers with moderate yield strength. Yield strength is 475 MPa in T81 versus 260 MPa in T4.
Can FabDigit make parts in 2060-T6?
Yes — 2060-T6 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Registration Record of International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminium (Teal Sheets), alloy 2060 — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- Alcoa 2060-T8E30 sheet / 2060-T8E86 plate product information — Alcoa (Arconic) (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum-Lithium Alloys: Processing, Properties and Applications — Elsevier / Butterworth-Heinemann (2014)
- MMPDS-style typical mechanical property practice for 2000-series aerospace alloys — Battelle/FAA (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.