Aluminum 6005
AA 6005 · UNS A96005 · EN AW-6005, AlSiMg · JIS A6005
6005 is a medium-strength heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si (6000 series) extrusion alloy, essentially a leaner-Mg variant of 6061/6082 that extrudes faster and into thinner, more intricate sections while press-quenching to full T5 strength.
6005 tempers and conditions
6005 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum ductility when the profile must be bent, flared or deep-formed and re-heat-treated afterwards. | 60 | 125 | 26 | 30 HB | 52 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and naturally aged | Pick for profiles that must still be bent or roll-formed after extrusion but need more strength than F. | 100 | 175 | 18 | 50 HB | 50 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Pick when substantial cold forming/bending is required before a final artificial ageing to T6-level strength. | 100 | 190 | 22 | 58 HB | 44 % IACS |
T6 variant, underaged | Pick for crash/energy-absorbing rail and bus profiles where bend ductility and toughness matter more than last 10 % of strength. | 225 | 265 | 14 | 82 HB | 46 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | The standard, lowest-cost supply condition for 6005 profiles: full design strength straight off the press line with good dimensional stability. | 245 | 270 | 11 | 85 HB | 49 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Pick when peak and most uniform strength through thick sections is needed, or when the profile was formed in T4 and then aged. | 260 | 290 | 10 | 92 HB | 47 % IACS |
What is 6005?
6005 is a medium-strength heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si (6000 series) extrusion alloy, essentially a leaner-Mg variant of 6061/6082 that extrudes faster and into thinner, more intricate sections while press-quenching to full T5 strength. It is chosen for structural profiles (rail-car and bus bodies, ladders, frames, handrails, tube) where good strength, weldability, corrosion resistance and clean anodized finish are needed. Limits: lower strength and quench sensitivity margin than 6061/7000 series, loss of ~40 % of strength in the weld HAZ, and no useful strength above ~150 °C; the close cousin 6005A (higher Mn+Cr) is preferred when better toughness and quench-insensitivity are required. 6005 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F). 6005 has a yield strength of 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — stronger than 64% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 6005 used for?
- Rail-car body profiles
- Bus and coach body framing
- Ladder rails and stiles
- Handrails and guardrails
- Machine frame extrusions
- Structural tube and hollow sections
- Extruded profiles for CNC-machined brackets
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 49 % IACS, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 188 W/m·K (108.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 82% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 70/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), better than 76% of aluminum grades
6005 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6005 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F).
Mechanical12
6005 has a yield strength of 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — stronger than 64% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6005 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 188 W/m·K (108.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6005 conducts electricity at 49 % IACS, better than 89% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6005 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
6005's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability fair (40/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the aluminum family
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade FabDigit runs. 6005 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6005
Is 6005 easy to machine?
Machines like 6061-T6 but slightly gummier in T5 — use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, generous feed and lubricant to avoid built-up edge; excellent for CNC of extruded profiles.
Can 6005 be welded?
Readily GMAW/GTAW or FSW welded with ER5356 (ductility) or ER4043 (crack resistance); expect HAZ strength near T4 levels, so design welds to ~60 % of base T5 strength or re-age locally.
Can 6005 be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes very easily into thin, complex hollows (its main reason for existence); bend in O/T4/T1 tempers — T5/T6 needs generous bend radii and can crack on tight radii.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to 6005. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 350 / 420 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Good40 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better80 / 100 |
6005 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 | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| Mg | 0.4 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Mn6005A allows Mn+Cr 0.12–0.50 | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Others (each)others total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Alremainder, ~97.5–98.5 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6005?
Excellent clear and colour anodizing with low streaking; also takes chromate/Ti-Zr conversion coating, powder coating and mechanical brushing well — avoid strong alkaline cleaners that etch the Mg-Si surface.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on aluminum parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Passivation
Conversion Coating
PVD Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 6005 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A96005
- Aluminum Association
- AA6005
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-6005AlSiMg
- JIS
- A6005
How much does 6005 cost?
6005 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 81% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
6005 — frequently asked
What is 6005 used for?
6005 is typically used for rail-car body profiles, bus and coach body framing, ladder rails and stiles, handrails and guardrails, machine frame extrusions and structural tube and hollow sections. In short: stronger extrusion; structural grade.
What is the yield strength of 6005?
6005 has a typical yield strength of 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — stronger than 64% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 6005 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades). Machines like 6061-T6 but slightly gummier in T5 — use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, generous feed and lubricant to avoid built-up edge; excellent for CNC of extruded profiles.
Can 6005 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Readily GMAW/GTAW or FSW welded with ER5356 (ductility) or ER4043 (crack resistance); expect HAZ strength near T4 levels, so design welds to ~60 % of base T5 strength or re-age locally.
What surface finishes work on 6005?
Excellent clear and colour anodizing with low streaking; also takes chromate/Ti-Zr conversion coating, powder coating and mechanical brushing well — avoid strong alkaline cleaners that etch the Mg-Si surface.
Can 6005 be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes very easily into thin, complex hollows (its main reason for existence); bend in O/T4/T1 tempers — T5/T6 needs generous bend radii and can crack on tight radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6005?
6005 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 6005 cost?
6005 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 81% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in 6005?
Yes — 6005 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B221 — Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes — ASTM International (2021)
- EN 755-2 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys: extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles — mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Anticorodal-100 / EN AW-6005A extrusion alloy datasheet — Constellium / Alcoa extrusion (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.