Aluminum 6016
AA 6016 · UNS A96016 · EN AW-6016, AW 6016
6016 is a heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si sheet alloy (AlSi1.2Mg0.4, A96016) strengthened by Mg₂Si precipitation and formulated to bake-harden during the paint cure.
Values for the T4 condition
6016 tempers and conditions
6016 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. T4 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest state, maximum drawability for severe forming or intermediate processing before solution treatment. | 55 | 120 | 29 | 33 HB | 50 % IACS |
T4Default Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Standard delivery condition for automotive body sheet: low yield strength for stamping plus strong bake-hardening response. | 115 | 225 | 27 | 60 HB | 43 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Pick when full strength is needed in service — reached either by mill T6 ageing or by the paint-bake cycle after forming from T4. | 260 | 300 | 12 | 95 HB | 47 % IACS |
What is 6016?
6016 is a heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si sheet alloy (AlSi1.2Mg0.4, A96016) strengthened by Mg₂Si precipitation and formulated to bake-harden during the paint cure. It is chosen for automotive outer-body sheet because T4 material stretches and draws well — 115 MPa yield, 225 MPa tensile, 27 % elongation, formability rating 88/100 — and then gains strength and dent resistance in the paint bake; it is supplied as coil and cut sheet. Limits are a 100 °C service ceiling, HAZ softening after fusion welding and natural ageing that reduces stretch limits; 6111 and 6014 are the nearest alternatives. 6016 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F). 6016 has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) — weaker than 79% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is 6016 used for?
- Automotive outer body panels
- Door skins
- Hood and roof outer skins
- Fenders and quarter panels
- Tailgate and trunk lid outers
- Painted appliance and enclosure panels
- Formed trim and cover sheet
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 27%, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 88/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 175 W/m·K (101.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% 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
- Low strength — 115 MPa (16.7 ksi), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
6016 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6016-T4; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6016 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F).
Mechanical11
6016 has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) — weaker than 79% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
6016 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 175 W/m·K (101.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6016 conducts electricity at 43 % IACS, better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6016 takes about 210 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
6016's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability excellent (88/100).
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. 6016 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6016
Is 6016 easy to machine?
Soft and gummy in T4 — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed and flood coolant/lubricant to avoid built-up edge; chips break better after T6 ageing.
Can 6016 be welded?
Good with pulsed MIG/laser and resistance spot welding (5356 or 4043 filler); HAZ softens to near-T4 levels and needs joint design allowance.
Can 6016 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent room-temperature stretch and draw formability in T4; form promptly after delivery since natural ageing raises yield strength and reduces stretch limits.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 6016. Every 6016 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent88 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair75 / 100 |
6016 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 | 1 – 1.5 | 1.2 |
| Mg | 0.25 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.2 | 0.08 |
| Cukept low for corrosion and paint adhesion | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | 0.02 |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6016?
Ideal for zirconium/Ti conversion coating + e-coat paint systems; clear and colour anodizing are acceptable but the high Si can dull bright-decorative finishes.
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).
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 6016 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A96016
- Aluminum Association
- AA6016
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-6016AW 6016AlSi1.2Mg0.4
How much does 6016 cost?
6016 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.
6016 — frequently asked
What is 6016 used for?
6016 is typically used for automotive outer body panels, door skins, hood and roof outer skins, fenders and quarter panels, tailgate and trunk lid outers and painted appliance and enclosure panels. In short: automotive body sheet; bake-hardenable.
What is the yield strength of 6016?
6016 has a typical yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) — weaker than 79% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is 6016 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades). Soft and gummy in T4 — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed and flood coolant/lubricant to avoid built-up edge; chips break better after T6 ageing.
Can 6016 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Good with pulsed MIG/laser and resistance spot welding (5356 or 4043 filler); HAZ softens to near-T4 levels and needs joint design allowance.
What surface finishes work on 6016?
Ideal for zirconium/Ti conversion coating + e-coat paint systems; clear and colour anodizing are acceptable but the high Si can dull bright-decorative finishes.
Can 6016 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent room-temperature stretch and draw formability in T4; form promptly after delivery since natural ageing raises yield strength and reduces stretch limits.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6016?
6016 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 6016-T4 and 6016-T6?
T4 is the default condition — standard delivery condition for automotive body sheet: low yield strength for stamping plus strong bake-hardening response. T6: pick when full strength is needed in service — reached either by mill T6 ageing or by the paint-bake cycle after forming from T4. Yield strength is 115 MPa in T4 versus 260 MPa in T6.
How much does 6016 cost?
6016 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 6016?
Yes — 6016 is available for 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 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — chemical composition of wrought products — CEN (2019)
- EN 485-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — sheet, strip and plate: 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)
- Automotive body sheet alloy datasheets (6016/6014/6022 class) — Constellium / Novelis (2022)
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.