Aluminum 6012-T4
Temper
AA 6012 · UNS A96012 · EN 3.0615, AlMgSiPb
T4 = solution heat treated and naturally aged
Pick when parts must be bent, staked, riveted or crimped after machining, or artificially aged later.
Values for the T4 condition
Other 6012 tempers and conditions
6012 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 6012.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition, used only as an intermediate state before forming or re-heat-treating. | 80 | 150 | 20 | 45 HB | 47 % IACS |
T4This page Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Pick when parts must be bent, staked, riveted or crimped after machining, or artificially aged later. | 150 | 255 | 16 | 70 HB | 37 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard stocked condition for free-machining bar: peak strength plus the best chip breaking and surface finish. | 295 | 330 | 10 | 100 HB | 40 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching | Choose for close-tolerance machined parts where distortion after heavy stock removal must be minimised. | 295 | 330 | 10 | 100 HB | 40 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked and artificially aged | Cold-drawn-then-aged bar for the highest strength and hardness with very good chip control on automatic lathes. | 330 | 360 | 8 | 110 HB | 40 % IACS |
What is 6012-T4?
6012-T4 is 6012 in the T4 temper — pick when parts must be bent, staked, riveted or crimped after machining, or artificially aged later. 6012-T4 has a yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — weaker than 65% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 6012-T4 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 580°C (1,076 °F). T6 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T4 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 16%, better than 84% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
6012-T4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6012-T4; 16 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 6012 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6012-T4 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 580°C (1,076 °F).
Mechanical13
6012-T4 has a yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — weaker than 65% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6012-T4 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 155 W/m·K (89.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 71% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6012-T4 conducts electricity at 37 % IACS, better than 58% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 51% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6012-T4 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability8
6012-T4's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (50/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 6012-T4
Is 6012 easy to machine?
Outstanding for CNC/multi-spindle work: short broken chips, low built-up edge, high feeds with polished-flute carbide and Al-specific coatings; keep Pb swarf segregated for disposal/recycling.
Can 6012 be welded?
Not recommended for structural welds — Pb causes hot cracking and porosity; use mechanical joining, adhesive bonding or select 6082/6262 where welding is required.
Can 6012 be formed, bent or molded?
Formable only in O/T4; T6/T8 bar tolerates minor staking or thread rolling but sharp bends will crack, so design for machining from bar rather than bending.
What surface finishes work on 6012?
Chromate/phosphate conversion or technical hard anodize is fine; decorative clear/colour anodize looks grey and mottled from Pb particles, and electroless nickel needs careful double-zincate pretreatment.
6012 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 – 1.4 | 1 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.4 | 0.15 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Mg | 0.6 – 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Pbfree-machining addition | 0.4 – 2 | 1 |
| Bioptional, some producers add with Pb | ≤ 0.4 | 0.1 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
6012-T4 — frequently asked
What is 6012-T4 used for?
6012-T4 is typically used for screw machine parts, fittings and hardware components. In short: top free-machining 6000 series; not for welded assemblies; bar-stock CNC workhorse.
What is the yield strength of 6012-T4?
6012-T4 has a typical yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — weaker than 65% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 6012-T4 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades). Outstanding for CNC/multi-spindle work: short broken chips, low built-up edge, high feeds with polished-flute carbide and Al-specific coatings; keep Pb swarf segregated for disposal/recycling.
Can 6012-T4 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not recommended for structural welds — Pb causes hot cracking and porosity; use mechanical joining, adhesive bonding or select 6082/6262 where welding is required.
What surface finishes work on 6012-T4?
Chromate/phosphate conversion or technical hard anodize is fine; decorative clear/colour anodize looks grey and mottled from Pb particles, and electroless nickel needs careful double-zincate pretreatment.
Can 6012-T4 be formed, bent or molded?
Formable only in O/T4; T6/T8 bar tolerates minor staking or thread rolling but sharp bends will crack, so design for machining from bar rather than bending.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6012-T4?
6012-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.
What is the difference between 6012-T6 and 6012-O?
T6 is the default condition — standard stocked condition for free-machining bar: peak strength plus the best chip breaking and surface finish. O: softest condition, used only as an intermediate state before forming or re-heat-treating. Yield strength is 295 MPa in T6 versus 80 MPa in O.
Sources
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — chemical composition — CEN (2019)
- EN 755-2 Aluminium extruded rod/bar — mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Free-machining aluminium bar (AlMgSiPb / EN AW-6012) datasheet — European extruder/drawn-bar producers (2022)
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.