Aluminum 6005A-T61
Temper
AA 6005A · EN AW-6005A, 3.3210
T61 = t6 variant, underaged
Under-aged variant of T6 giving somewhat lower proof strength but better ductility for profiles that are bent after ageing.
Values for the T61 condition
Other 6005A tempers and conditions
6005A is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 6005A.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cooled from hot working and naturally aged | Lowest-strength controlled temper; pick it when the profile must be bent, swaged or roll-formed after extrusion. | 100 | 180 | 18 | 52 HB | 50 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Soft, formable condition for profiles that are bent or hydroformed and then artificially aged to T6 in service or after assembly. | 110 | 205 | 18 | 60 HB | 43 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and specially under-aged for maximum formability | Choose when high elongation and energy absorption (crash boxes, tight bends) matter more than proof strength. | 175 | 240 | 15 | 78 HB | 47 % IACS |
T61This page T6 variant, underaged | Under-aged variant of T6 giving somewhat lower proof strength but better ductility for profiles that are bent after ageing. | 220 | 265 | 13 | 90 HB | 47 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Press-quench + oven age; near-T6 strength on thin sections at lower cost and with less distortion, used for architectural and frame profiles. | 225 | 265 | 10 | 90 HB | 50 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard fully-hardened structural condition — the default stock temper for rail-car, scaffold and frame profiles. | 235 | 275 | 11 | 95 HB | 49 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching, minor straightening | Stretch-straightened T6 for long precision bars/profiles that must stay straight through heavy machining. | 240 | 275 | 10 | 95 HB | 49 % IACS |
T6 with improved mechanical properties | Tightly controlled ageing for higher guaranteed strength than T6, used where profile section must be minimised. | 250 | 290 | 9 | 100 HB | 49 % IACS |
What is 6005A-T61?
6005A-T61 is 6005A in the T61 temper — under-aged variant of T6 giving somewhat lower proof strength but better ductility for profiles that are bent after ageing. 6005A-T61 has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 69.5 GPa (10.1 Msi). 6005A-T61 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).
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 47 % IACS, better than 88% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 185 W/m·K (106.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 31 MPa·√m (28.2 ksi·√in), better than 80% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 13%, better than 79% of aluminum grades
6005A-T61 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6005A-T61; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 6005A reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6005A-T61 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).
Mechanical14
6005A-T61 has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 69.5 GPa (10.1 Msi).
Thermal6
6005A-T61 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 185 W/m·K (106.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23 µm/m·K (12.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6005A-T61 conducts electricity at 47 % IACS, better than 88% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6005A-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%.
Manufacturability8
6005A-T61's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 54% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability fair (50/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 6005A-T61
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-T61 — frequently asked
What is 6005A-T61 used for?
6005A-T61 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 6000 series.
What is the yield strength of 6005A-T61?
6005A-T61 has a typical yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 6005A-T61 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 54% 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-T61 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-T61?
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-T61 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-T61?
6005A-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 6005A-T61?
Yes — 6005A-T61 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. 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.