Aluminum 6010 · temper
Aluminum 6010-T4
Properties of the T4 condition, compared with the other 6010 tempers.
Standard automotive body-sheet supply condition: stamp/hem in T4, then gain strength during the paint-bake cycle.
What is 6010-T4?
6010-T4 is 6010 in the T4 temper — standard automotive body-sheet supply condition: stamp/hem in T4, then gain strength during the paint-bake cycle. 6010-T4 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 57% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 6010-T4 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).
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 24%, better than 92% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 34 MPa·√m (30.9 ksi·√in), better than 90% 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 87% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 43 % IACS, better than 83% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
6010-T4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6010-T4 — 14 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 6010 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
6010-T4 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-T4 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 57% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6010-T4 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 180 W/m·K (104 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.2 µm/m·K (12.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6010-T4 conducts electricity at 43 % IACS, better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), better than 63% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6010-T4 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-T4's machinability is good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades); weldability good (60/100); formability very good (80/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 6010 tempers and conditions
6010 is also supplied in 2 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 6010 overview.
- T6Choose when the finished part must carry load: peak aged condition (also approached by extended paint-bake), at the cost of much lower ductility.310 MPa yield · 105 HB
- T4Standard automotive body-sheet supply condition: stamp/hem in T4, then gain strength during the paint-bake cycle.170 MPa yield · 85 HB
- OPick when maximum drawability or deep bending is needed and strength is developed later by solution treatment plus aging.70 MPa yield · 40 HB
Working with 6010-T4
Is 6010 easy to machine?
Machines like other 6xxx 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.
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.
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 | — |
6010-T4 — frequently asked
What is 6010-T4 used for?
6010-T4 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-T4?
6010-T4 has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 57% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is 6010-T4 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades). Machines like other 6xxx 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-T4 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-T4?
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-T4 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-T4?
6010-T4 is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 6010-T4?
Yes — 6010-T4 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)
- 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.