Aluminum 6005 · temper
Aluminum 6005-T61
Properties of the T61 condition, compared with the other 6005 tempers.
Pick for crash/energy-absorbing rail and bus profiles where bend ductility and toughness matter more than last 10 % of strength.
What is 6005-T61?
6005-T61 is 6005 in the T61 temper — pick for crash/energy-absorbing rail and bus profiles where bend ductility and toughness matter more than last 10 % of strength. 6005-T61 has a yield strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 6005-T61 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 — 46 % IACS, better than 87% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 178 W/m·K (102.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 82% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 14%, better than 81% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 70/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
6005-T61 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6005-T61 — 10 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-T61 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-T61 has a yield strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6005-T61 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 178 W/m·K (102.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6005-T61 conducts electricity at 46 % IACS, better than 87% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6005-T61 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-T61's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 58% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability fair (45/100).
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-T61
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-T61 — frequently asked
What is 6005-T61 used for?
6005-T61 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-T61?
6005-T61 has a typical yield strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 6005-T61 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 58% 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-T61 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-T61?
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-T61 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-T61?
6005-T61 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-T61?
Yes — 6005-T61 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.