Aluminum 6011
AA 6011 · EN AW-6011, AW 6011
6011 is a heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si alloy that carries deliberate copper (and tolerance for zinc/iron) additions, giving it noticeably higher strength than 6061/6063 while retaining good chip-forming behaviour — it is used mainly as lead-free screw-machine bar/rod and for machined fittings, valve bodies and fasteners.
6011 tempers and conditions
6011 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum cold formability or before re-heat-treatment; strength is low and the alloy gums when machined. | 70 | 150 | 25 | 40 HB | 48 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Use when parts must be bent, formed or headed after supply and then allowed to age (or artificially aged) to final strength. | 170 | 290 | 20 | 80 HB | 39 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard stocked condition: peak-aged bar/rod for machined structural parts needing 6000-series corrosion behaviour with near-2000-series strength. | 330 | 380 | 12 | 110 HB | 42 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked and artificially aged | Highest-strength and best chip-breaking condition for cold-drawn screw-machine bar; ductility and formability are minimal. | 370 | 400 | 9 | 120 HB | 43 % IACS |
What is 6011?
6011 is a heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si alloy that carries deliberate copper (and tolerance for zinc/iron) additions, giving it noticeably higher strength than 6061/6063 while retaining good chip-forming behaviour — it is used mainly as lead-free screw-machine bar/rod and for machined fittings, valve bodies and fasteners. It is chosen when a customer wants 6262-class machinability without lead and near-2000-series strength in T6/T8. The copper content lowers general and intergranular corrosion resistance versus copper-free 6000-series grades, makes fusion welding only fair, and clouds clear anodic films. 6011 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F). 6011 has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 6011 used for?
- Screw-machine fittings
- Valve bodies
- Machined fasteners and studs
- Hydraulic and pneumatic adapters
- Automotive trim
- Body panels
- Turned bushings and spacers
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 82/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 330 MPa (47.9 ksi), better than 81% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 42 % IACS, better than 81% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 165 W/m·K (95.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), better than 76% of aluminum grades
6011 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6011 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F).
Mechanical11
6011 has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6011 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 165 W/m·K (95.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6011 conducts electricity at 42 % IACS, better than 81% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 51% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6011 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
6011's machinability is very good (82/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. 6011 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6011
Is 6011 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour in T6/T8 — high speeds, sharp positive-rake tools and light-mist or dry cutting give clean, short chips and good thread finish.
Can 6011 be welded?
Fusion welding is only fair: the Cu content makes it hot-crack sensitive, so use 4043/4145 filler, minimize heat input, and expect HAZ softening (re-age if strength is critical); mechanical fastening or friction welding is preferred.
Can 6011 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or T4 with generous bend radii; T6/T8 bar has limited bendability and should be machined rather than formed.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 6011. Every 6011 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better82 / 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 | Better45 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better45 / 100 |
6011 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 – 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Fehigh Fe tolerance permits scrap-based melt | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Curaises strength, lowers corrosion resistance | 0.4 – 0.9 | 0.65 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.8 | 0.3 |
| Mg | 0.6 – 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Zn | ≤ 1.5 | 0.5 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6011?
Hard/sulfuric anodizing and chromate/paint systems work well for protection, but Cu and Zn give cloudy, off-colour clear anodic films — specify dyed black or hardcoat, or plate (electroless Ni) for cosmetic parts.
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 6011 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Aluminum Association
- AA6011
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-6011AW 6011
How much does 6011 cost?
6011 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 82% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
6011 — frequently asked
What is 6011 used for?
6011 is typically used for screw-machine fittings, valve bodies, machined fasteners and studs, hydraulic and pneumatic adapters, automotive trim and body panels. In short: auto sheet alloy.
What is the yield strength of 6011?
6011 has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 6011 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (82/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour in T6/T8 — high speeds, sharp positive-rake tools and light-mist or dry cutting give clean, short chips and good thread finish.
Can 6011 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Fusion welding is only fair: the Cu content makes it hot-crack sensitive, so use 4043/4145 filler, minimize heat input, and expect HAZ softening (re-age if strength is critical); mechanical fastening or friction welding is preferred.
What surface finishes work on 6011?
Hard/sulfuric anodizing and chromate/paint systems work well for protection, but Cu and Zn give cloudy, off-colour clear anodic films — specify dyed black or hardcoat, or plate (electroless Ni) for cosmetic parts.
Can 6011 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or T4 with generous bend radii; T6/T8 bar has limited bendability and should be machined rather than formed.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6011?
6011 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 6011 cost?
6011 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 82% 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 6011?
Yes — 6011 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)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B: Corrosion — Materials — ASM International (2005)
- MatWeb aluminium 6011 alloy data pages — MatWeb LLC (2024)
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.