Aluminum 6005 · temper
Aluminum 6005-T6
Properties of the T6 condition, compared with the other 6005 tempers.
Pick when peak and most uniform strength through thick sections is needed, or when the profile was formed in T4 and then aged.
What is 6005-T6?
6005-T6 is 6005 in the T6 temper — pick when peak and most uniform strength through thick sections is needed, or when the profile was formed in T4 and then aged. 6005-T6 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 6005-T6 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 60% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F).
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 47 % IACS, better than 88% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 180 W/m·K (104 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% 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
6005-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6005-T6 — 15 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 6005 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
6005-T6 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 60% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F).
Mechanical12
6005-T6 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6005-T6 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 180 W/m·K (104 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6005-T6 conducts electricity at 47 % IACS, better than 88% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6005-T6 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-T6's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 53% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 6005 tempers and conditions
6005 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 6005 overview.
- T6Pick when peak and most uniform strength through thick sections is needed, or when the profile was formed in T4 and then aged.260 MPa yield · 92 HB
- T5The standard, lowest-cost supply condition for 6005 profiles: full design strength straight off the press line with good dimensional stability.245 MPa yield · 85 HB
- T61Pick for crash/energy-absorbing rail and bus profiles where bend ductility and toughness matter more than last 10 % of strength.225 MPa yield · 82 HB
- T1Pick for profiles that must still be bent or roll-formed after extrusion but need more strength than F.100 MPa yield · 50 HB
- T4Pick when substantial cold forming/bending is required before a final artificial ageing to T6-level strength.100 MPa yield · 58 HB
- OPick for maximum ductility when the profile must be bent, flared or deep-formed and re-heat-treated afterwards.60 MPa yield · 30 HB
Working with 6005-T6
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.
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.
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 | — |
6005-T6 — frequently asked
What is 6005-T6 used for?
6005-T6 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-T6?
6005-T6 has a typical yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 6005-T6 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 53% 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-T6 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-T6?
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-T6 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-T6?
6005-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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 6005-T6?
Yes — 6005-T6 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.