Aluminum 296.0-T6
Temper · default condition
AA 296.0 · UNS A02960
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Standard high-strength condition for pump housings and pressure-tight castings where hardness and machined-surface quality matter.
Values for the T6 condition
Other 296.0 tempers and conditions
296.0 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at 296.0.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Pick when maximum ductility and impact tolerance are needed with moderate strength; also common for parts machined then service-aged. | 131 | 255 | 8.5 | 75 HB | 33 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Choose for dimensional stability and reduced residual stress in machined or elevated-temperature parts, at slightly lower yield strength than T6. | 138 | 270 | 4.5 | 80 HB | 38 % IACS |
T6DefaultThis page Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard high-strength condition for pump housings and pressure-tight castings where hardness and machined-surface quality matter. | 179 | 275 | 5 | 95 HB | 35 % IACS |
What is 296.0-T6?
296.0-T6 is 296.0 in the T6 temper — standard high-strength condition for pump housings and pressure-tight castings where hardness and machined-surface quality matter. 296.0-T6 has a yield strength of 179 MPa (26 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 55% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi). 296.0-T6 has a density of 2.8 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of aluminum grades. It melts at 521°C (970 °F).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 35/100, worse than 85% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
296.0-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 296.0-T6; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 296.0 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
296.0-T6 has a density of 2.8 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of aluminum grades. It melts at 521°C (970 °F).
Mechanical13
296.0-T6 has a yield strength of 179 MPa (26 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 55% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
296.0-T6 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 138 W/m·K (79.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 55% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.5 µm/m·K (12.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
296.0-T6 conducts electricity at 35 % IACS, better than 52% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 85% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 296.0-T6 takes about 195 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 86% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability8
296.0-T6's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 296.0-T6
Is 296.0 easy to machine?
Machines very well with carbide tools, high speed and low feed; free-machining chips, but abrasive Si particles favour polished-flute or PCD tooling for long runs.
Can 296.0 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (hot-cracking with 4–5% Cu); repair by 4145/4043 filler only where qualified, or use mechanical fasteners/adhesives.
Can 296.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Permanent-mold (and sand) casting alloy with good fluidity and pressure tightness; provide generous risers and directional solidification to avoid Cu-rich shrinkage porosity; not cold-formable.
What surface finishes work on 296.0?
Best protected by chromate conversion plus primer/paint; anodizing gives dark mottled color due to Cu/Si, hardcoat acceptable for wear only; polishes to a fair, not mirror, finish.
296.0 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Siimproves fluidity and pressure tightness vs 295.0 | 2 – 3 | 2.5 |
| Cumain strengthening addition | 4 – 5 | 4.5 |
| Fe | ≤ 1.2 | — |
| Mn | ≤ 0.35 | — |
| Mg | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Ni | ≤ 0.35 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Tigrain refinement | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
296.0-T6 — frequently asked
What is 296.0-T6 used for?
296.0-T6 is typically used for pump housings, valve bodies, pressure-tight hydraulic castings, compressor housings and covers, gearbox and machinery housings and manifolds and fluid-handling castings. In short: pressure-tight permanent-mold casting; stronger than 295.0; coating-dependent corrosion protection.
What is the yield strength of 296.0-T6?
296.0-T6 has a typical yield strength of 179 MPa (26 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 55% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is 296.0-T6 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades). Machines very well with carbide tools, high speed and low feed; free-machining chips, but abrasive Si particles favour polished-flute or PCD tooling for long runs.
Can 296.0-T6 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Fusion welding is not recommended (hot-cracking with 4–5% Cu); repair by 4145/4043 filler only where qualified, or use mechanical fasteners/adhesives.
What surface finishes work on 296.0-T6?
Best protected by chromate conversion plus primer/paint; anodizing gives dark mottled color due to Cu/Si, hardcoat acceptable for wear only; polishes to a fair, not mirror, finish.
Can 296.0-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Permanent-mold (and sand) casting alloy with good fluidity and pressure tightness; provide generous risers and directional solidification to avoid Cu-rich shrinkage porosity; not cold-formable.
What is the maximum service temperature of 296.0-T6?
296.0-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 296.0-T6 and 296.0-T4?
T6 is the default condition — standard high-strength condition for pump housings and pressure-tight castings where hardness and machined-surface quality matter. T4: pick when maximum ductility and impact tolerance are needed with moderate strength; also common for parts machined then service-aged. Yield strength is 179 MPa in T6 versus 131 MPa in T4.
Sources
- ASTM B108 / B108M — Aluminum-Alloy Permanent Mold Castings — ASTM International (2019)
- Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Ingot (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum: Properties and Physical Metallurgy — ASM International (1984)
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.