Aluminum 6010
AA 6010 · UNS A96010 · EN AW-6010, AW 6010
6010 is a copper-bearing, heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si-Mn wrought alloy supplied mainly as T4 sheet for automotive outer and inner body panels, combining press formability with paint-bake age hardening.
6010 tempers and conditions
6010 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick when maximum drawability or deep bending is needed and strength is developed later by solution treatment plus aging. | 70 | 140 | 28 | 40 HB | 48 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Standard automotive body-sheet supply condition: stamp/hem in T4, then gain strength during the paint-bake cycle. | 170 | 290 | 24 | 85 HB | 43 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Choose when the finished part must carry load: peak aged condition (also approached by extended paint-bake), at the cost of much lower ductility. | 310 | 350 | 12 | 105 HB | 45 % IACS |
What is 6010?
6010 is a copper-bearing, heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si-Mn wrought alloy supplied mainly as T4 sheet for automotive outer and inner body panels, combining press formability with paint-bake age hardening. It is stronger than 6061 and gives a stronger bake-hardening response, which is why it is used for stamped closures. The copper slightly reduces corrosion resistance and dulls clear anodizing, and supply is essentially limited to sheet — bar and extrusion sources are scarce. 6010 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F). 6010 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 56% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 6010 used for?
- Hood panels
- Automotive body sheet
- Door and closure inner panels
- Deck-lid and tailgate skins
- Fenders and roof panels
- Stamped structural sheet reinforcements
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 24%, better than 92% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 180 W/m·K (104 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 32 MPa·√m (29.1 ksi·√in), better than 83% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 43 % IACS, better than 83% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
6010 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6010 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F).
Mechanical11
6010 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 56% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6010 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 180 W/m·K (104 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.2 µm/m·K (12.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6010 conducts electricity at 43 % IACS, better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), better than 62% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6010 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
6010's machinability is good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades); weldability good (60/100); formability very good (80/100).
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. 6010 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6010
Is 6010 easy to machine?
Machines like other 6000 series but is gummy in T4 — use polished-flute carbide, high surface speed, sharp positive rake and flood coolant; aged (T6) material gives cleaner chips and better finish.
Can 6010 be welded?
Excellent for resistance spot, laser and MIG joining of body panels; for fusion welds use 4043/4047 filler to limit hot cracking from the Cu content and expect HAZ softening in T6.
Can 6010 be formed, bent or molded?
Designed for room-temperature stamping, deep drawing and flat hemming in T4; keep the natural-aging clock in mind (formability drifts with time at RT) and expect springback higher than mild steel.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 6010. Every 6010 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better65 / 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 | Better80 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair60 / 100 |
6010 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 | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Cu | 0.15 – 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Mg | 0.6 – 1 | 0.8 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6010?
Normally e-coated/painted as body sheet; chromate-free conversion coatings and adhesive bonding work well, while clear decorative anodizing is dull/dark because of copper — use dyed or hard anodize instead.
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 6010 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A96010
- Aluminum Association
- AA6010
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-6010AW 6010
How much does 6010 cost?
6010 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 81% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
6010 — frequently asked
What is 6010 used for?
6010 is typically used for hood panels, automotive body sheet, door and closure inner panels, deck-lid and tailgate skins, fenders and roof panels and stamped structural sheet reinforcements. In short: auto closure panel alloy.
What is the yield strength of 6010?
6010 has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 56% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is 6010 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades). Machines like other 6000 series but is gummy in T4 — use polished-flute carbide, high surface speed, sharp positive rake and flood coolant; aged (T6) material gives cleaner chips and better finish.
Can 6010 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Excellent for resistance spot, laser and MIG joining of body panels; for fusion welds use 4043/4047 filler to limit hot cracking from the Cu content and expect HAZ softening in T6.
What surface finishes work on 6010?
Normally e-coated/painted as body sheet; chromate-free conversion coatings and adhesive bonding work well, while clear decorative anodizing is dull/dark because of copper — use dyed or hard anodize instead.
Can 6010 be formed, bent or molded?
Designed for room-temperature stamping, deep drawing and flat hemming in T4; keep the natural-aging clock in mind (formability drifts with time at RT) and expect springback higher than mild steel.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6010?
6010 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 6010 cost?
6010 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), 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 6010?
Yes — 6010 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
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Chemical composition — CEN (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys (ASM Specialty Handbook) — ASM International (1993)
- ASTM B209 / B209M — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM (2021)
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.