Aluminum 6005A · temper
Aluminum 6005A-T6
Properties of the T6 condition, compared with the other 6005A tempers.
Standard fully-hardened structural condition — the default stock temper for rail-car, scaffold and frame profiles.
What is 6005A-T6?
6005A-T6 is 6005A in the T6 temper — standard fully-hardened structural condition — the default stock temper for rail-car, scaffold and frame profiles. 6005A-T6 has a yield strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — stronger than 61% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 69.5 GPa (10.1 Msi). 6005A-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
- Conducts heat well — 190 W/m·K (109.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 89% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 49 % IACS, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 68/100, better than 75% of aluminum grades
6005A-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6005A-T6 — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 6005A temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
6005A-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).
Mechanical14
6005A-T6 has a yield strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — stronger than 61% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 69.5 GPa (10.1 Msi).
Thermal6
6005A-T6 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 190 W/m·K (109.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 89% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23 µm/m·K (12.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6005A-T6 conducts electricity at 49 % IACS, better than 89% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6005A-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%.
Manufacturability8
6005A-T6's machinability is good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 6005A tempers and conditions
6005A is also supplied in 7 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 6005A overview.
- T6Standard fully-hardened structural condition — the default stock temper for rail-car, scaffold and frame profiles.235 MPa yield · 95 HB
- T5Press-quench + oven age; near-T6 strength on thin sections at lower cost and with less distortion, used for architectural and frame profiles.225 MPa yield · 90 HB
- T4Soft, formable condition for profiles that are bent or hydroformed and then artificially aged to T6 in service or after assembly.110 MPa yield · 60 HB
- T1Lowest-strength controlled temper; pick it when the profile must be bent, swaged or roll-formed after extrusion.100 MPa yield · 52 HB
Working with 6005A-T6
Is 6005A easy to machine?
Machines easily in T5/T6 with sharp polished-flute carbide tools, high speed and flood or mist lubricant; softer T1/T4 tempers tend to gum and build up on edges.
Can 6005A be welded?
Readily MIG/TIG or friction-stir welded with 5356 (strength/ductility) or 4043 (crack resistance) filler; design for a 30–40 % HAZ strength drop unless the joint is re-aged.
Can 6005A be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent extrudability (thin walls, hollows); bend in T1/T4/T64 where possible — T6 tolerates only generous radii and is prone to orange-peel and cracking on tight bends.
What surface finishes work on 6005A?
Takes clear and coloured anodizing, powder coating and chromate/chrome-free pretreatment well; anodized colour is slightly greyer than 6060/6063, so match lots for architectural work.
6005A 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 | 0.5 – 0.9 | 0.7 |
| Mg | 0.4 – 0.7 | 0.55 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.3 | 0.05 |
| MnMn+Cr must total 0.12–0.50 | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| CrMn+Cr must total 0.12–0.50 | ≤ 0.3 | 0.05 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Others (each)total others max 0.15 | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
6005A-T6 — frequently asked
What is 6005A-T6 used for?
6005A-T6 is typically used for rail vehicle body profiles, structural frames and machine framing, bicycle frames, solar mounting rails, scaffolding tubes and planks and automotive structural extrusions. In short: extrusion-friendly 6xxx.
What is the yield strength of 6005A-T6?
6005A-T6 has a typical yield strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — stronger than 61% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 6005A-T6 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades). Machines easily in T5/T6 with sharp polished-flute carbide tools, high speed and flood or mist lubricant; softer T1/T4 tempers tend to gum and build up on edges.
Can 6005A-T6 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Readily MIG/TIG or friction-stir welded with 5356 (strength/ductility) or 4043 (crack resistance) filler; design for a 30–40 % HAZ strength drop unless the joint is re-aged.
What surface finishes work on 6005A-T6?
Takes clear and coloured anodizing, powder coating and chromate/chrome-free pretreatment well; anodized colour is slightly greyer than 6060/6063, so match lots for architectural work.
Can 6005A-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent extrudability (thin walls, hollows); bend in T1/T4/T64 where possible — T6 tolerates only generous radii and is prone to orange-peel and cracking on tight bends.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6005A-T6?
6005A-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 6005A-T6?
Yes — 6005A-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
- EN 755-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles: mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- EN 573-3 Chemical composition of wrought aluminium alloys — CEN (2019)
- EN 1999-1-1 Eurocode 9: Design of aluminium structures — CEN (2007)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- 6005A extrusion alloy datasheet — Constellium / Hydro Extrusion (2022)
- Aluminum Association Teal Sheets — International Alloy Designations — The Aluminum Association (2018)
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.