Aluminum 6053-T4
Temper
AA 6053 · UNS A96053
T4 = solution heat treated and naturally aged
Choose when parts must be bent, headed or driven after heat treatment and can age naturally to intermediate strength.
Values for the T4 condition
Other 6053 tempers and conditions
6053 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 6053.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition for maximum formability, cold heading of rivet blanks and severe bending before heat treatment. | 55 | 110 | 35 | 26 HB | 47 % IACS |
As fabricated | Mill product with no property guarantee; used as feedstock to be solution treated and aged by the user. | 90 | 150 | 20 | 42 HB | 48 % IACS |
T4This page Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Choose when parts must be bent, headed or driven after heat treatment and can age naturally to intermediate strength. | 110 | 195 | 22 | 55 HB | 42 % IACS |
T6 variant, underaged | Classic 6053 rivet temper: aged to a controlled intermediate strength so rivets can still be cold driven without cracking. | 170 | 220 | 13 | 65 HB | 44 % IACS |
T6, heat treated by the user | Same property level as T6 but heat treated from O or F temper by the fabricator after forming. | 215 | 255 | 13 | 80 HB | 45 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard full-strength condition for structural parts, wire and driven rivet stock; best strength/corrosion balance. | 220 | 255 | 13 | 80 HB | 45 % IACS |
What is 6053-T4?
6053-T4 is 6053 in the T4 temper — choose when parts must be bent, headed or driven after heat treatment and can age naturally to intermediate strength. 6053-T4 has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) — weaker than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 6053-T4 has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F). T6 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T4 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 22%, better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 83% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 42 % IACS, better than 81% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 65/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 160 W/m·K (92.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 76% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 110 MPa (16 ksi), worse than 81% of aluminum grades
6053-T4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6053-T4; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 6053 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6053-T4 has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F).
Mechanical10
6053-T4 has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) — weaker than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6053-T4 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 160 W/m·K (92.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 76% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6053-T4 conducts electricity at 42 % IACS, better than 81% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6053-T4 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
6053-T4's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability good (65/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 6053-T4
Is 6053 easy to machine?
Machines like 6061-T6: use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, generous coolant to avoid built-up edge; gummy in O/T4 temper.
Can 6053 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 4043 (general) or 5356 (higher strength/anodizing match); HAZ softens to about T4 level unless re-solution treated and aged.
Can 6053 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, cold head or drive rivets in O, T4 or T61; T6 material needs generous bend radii (≥3t) to avoid cracking.
What surface finishes work on 6053?
Takes clear, colour and hard-coat anodize well; also suitable for chromate/trivalent conversion coating and paint; no special plating issues.
6053 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 |
|---|---|---|
| SiRegistered Si limits are tied to the actual Mg content in the AA record; nominal ~0.7 % | 0.5 – 0.9 | 0.7 |
| Feimpurity | ≤ 0.35 | — |
| Cukept low for corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Mg | 1.1 – 1.4 | 1.25 |
| Crgrain-structure control | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
6053-T4 — frequently asked
What is 6053-T4 used for?
6053-T4 is typically used for solid rivets, cold-headed fasteners, general structural hardware, brackets and fittings, machined general-purpose bar parts and legacy repair and replacement components. In short: traditional aluminum rivet alloy; largely replaced by 6061; good anodizing response.
What is the yield strength of 6053-T4?
6053-T4 has a typical yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) — weaker than 81% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 6053-T4 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades). Machines like 6061-T6: use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, generous coolant to avoid built-up edge; gummy in O/T4 temper.
Can 6053-T4 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 4043 (general) or 5356 (higher strength/anodizing match); HAZ softens to about T4 level unless re-solution treated and aged.
What surface finishes work on 6053-T4?
Takes clear, colour and hard-coat anodize well; also suitable for chromate/trivalent conversion coating and paint; no special plating issues.
Can 6053-T4 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, cold head or drive rivets in O, T4 or T61; T6 material needs generous bend radii (≥3t) to avoid cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6053-T4?
6053-T4 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.
What is the difference between 6053-T6 and 6053-O?
T6 is the default condition — standard full-strength condition for structural parts, wire and driven rivet stock; best strength/corrosion balance. O: softest condition for maximum formability, cold heading of rivet blanks and severe bending before heat treatment. Yield strength is 220 MPa in T6 versus 55 MPa in O.
Sources
- 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 and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B: Corrosion — Materials — ASM International (2005)
- MatWeb aluminium 6053 temper datasheets (O, T6, T61) — MatWeb LLC (2023)
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.