Aluminum 6020
AA 6020 · EN AlSi1MgPb
6020 is a free-machining 6000 series (Al-Mg-Si) heat-treatable extrusion and bar alloy containing lead/bismuth low-melting-point phases, with properties and applications close to 6262 and 6012.
6020 tempers and conditions
6020 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Choose for maximum cold formability or before re-solution treatment; strength is lowest and chips become gummy. | 55 | 115 | 24 | 30 HB | 50 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Use when moderate strength plus some bending/forming before final artificial ageing is needed. | 145 | 245 | 18 | 68 HB | 38 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Economical press-quenched temper for thin bar/profiles where full T6 strength and tightest straightness are not required. | 250 | 295 | 10 | 88 HB | 43 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching | Pick for thick bar/plate machined on all faces where residual-stress distortion must be minimised. | 285 | 325 | 11 | 98 HB | 42 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching, no further straightening | Extruded bar/profile temper for low-distortion CNC machining when minor straightening after stretching is not permitted. | 285 | 325 | 11 | 98 HB | 42 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | The standard stocked condition for free-machining 6020 bar: peak strength with excellent chip control on automatic lathes. | 290 | 330 | 11 | 100 HB | 42 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching, minor straightening | The usual precision-bar delivery temper: T6 strength, relieved residual stress and tight straightness for bar-feeder lathes. | 290 | 330 | 11 | 100 HB | 42 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked and artificially aged | Cold-drawn-and-aged bar for the highest strength and best surface/size tolerance in high-speed screw-machine work. | 340 | 365 | 8 | 110 HB | 43 % IACS |
What is 6020?
6020 is a free-machining 6000 series (Al-Mg-Si) heat-treatable extrusion and bar alloy containing lead/bismuth low-melting-point phases, with properties and applications close to 6262 and 6012. It is chosen for high-volume turning on automatic lathes and CNC machines, giving strength in T6/T8 comparable to 6061 together with short chips, long tool life and a high surface finish; typical forms are extruded and drawn bar for fittings, pneumatic and hydraulic parts, nuts and instrument components. The Pb/Bi content makes the alloy poor for welding, gives a dull or mottled anodized appearance, and puts it under RoHS-driven pressure toward lead-free substitutes. 6020 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). 6020 has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 74% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 6020 used for?
- Brake components
- Hydraulic valve blocks
- Pneumatic fittings and connectors
- Screw-machined nuts and adapters
- Instrument and meter parts
- High-volume turned bushings
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 92/100, better than 98% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 170 W/m·K (98.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 82% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 42 % IACS, better than 81% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
6020 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6020 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).
Mechanical12
6020 has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 74% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6020 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 170 W/m·K (98.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 82% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6020 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 6020 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability8
6020's machinability is excellent (92/100, better than 98% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. 6020 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6020
Is 6020 easy to machine?
Outstanding: short broken chips, low built-up edge, high surface finish — run high spindle speeds with polished-flute carbide and light emulsion; ideal for bar-fed automatic lathes.
Can 6020 be welded?
Poor — Pb/Bi low-melting films promote hot cracking and porosity; join mechanically or by adhesive, and if welding is unavoidable use 4043 filler on non-critical joints.
Can 6020 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as extruded/drawn bar; bend only in O/T4 (T6 bar has limited ductility) and avoid tight-radius cold heading.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 6020. Every 6020 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent92 / 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 | Good35 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Good25 / 100 |
6020 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 |
|---|---|---|
| SiAlSi1MgPb designation — verify against the governing AA registration/EN 573-3 sheet | 0.6 – 1.2 | 0.9 |
| MgMg2Si precipitation hardening | 0.6 – 1.1 | 0.85 |
| Pbfree-machining chip breaker (low-melting phase) | 0.3 – 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Biadded with Pb to form discrete machining phases | 0.2 – 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Cr | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Timax, grain refiner | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Others (each / total)0.05 each, 0.15 total | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6020?
Clear or hard anodize is technically acceptable but cosmetically streaky/grey from Pb/Bi particles; chromate/trivalent conversion coating, chemical film or paint give more uniform appearance, and Pb-bearing swarf/effluent needs controlled disposal.
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 6020 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AlSi1MgPb
How much does 6020 cost?
6020 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 62% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
6020 — frequently asked
What is 6020 used for?
6020 is typically used for brake components, hydraulic valve blocks, pneumatic fittings and connectors, screw-machined nuts and adapters, instrument and meter parts and high-volume turned bushings. In short: high speed; easy machining.
What is the yield strength of 6020?
6020 has a typical yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 74% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 6020 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (92/100, better than 98% of aluminum grades). Outstanding: short broken chips, low built-up edge, high surface finish — run high spindle speeds with polished-flute carbide and light emulsion; ideal for bar-fed automatic lathes.
Can 6020 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Poor — Pb/Bi low-melting films promote hot cracking and porosity; join mechanically or by adhesive, and if welding is unavoidable use 4043 filler on non-critical joints.
What surface finishes work on 6020?
Clear or hard anodize is technically acceptable but cosmetically streaky/grey from Pb/Bi particles; chromate/trivalent conversion coating, chemical film or paint give more uniform appearance, and Pb-bearing swarf/effluent needs controlled disposal.
Can 6020 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as extruded/drawn bar; bend only in O/T4 (T6 bar has limited ductility) and avoid tight-radius cold heading.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6020?
6020 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 6020 cost?
6020 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 62% 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 6020?
Yes — 6020 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)
- EN 755-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles: mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Free-machining 6000-series extruded bar datasheets (6262/6012/6020 class) — Aluminium extruders (Hydro / Constellium / Alcoa) (2020)
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.