Aluminum 6053-T6
Temper · default condition
AA 6053 · UNS A96053
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Standard full-strength condition for structural parts, wire and driven rivet stock; best strength/corrosion balance.
Values for the T6 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 |
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 |
T6DefaultThis page 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-T6?
6053-T6 is 6053 in the T6 temper — standard full-strength condition for structural parts, wire and driven rivet stock; best strength/corrosion balance. 6053-T6 has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 6053-T6 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).
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 45 % IACS, better than 86% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 172 W/m·K (99.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 83% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 13%, better than 79% of aluminum grades
6053-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6053-T6; 11 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-T6 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-T6 has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6053-T6 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 172 W/m·K (99.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6053-T6 conducts electricity at 45 % IACS, better than 86% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6053-T6 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-T6's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability fair (45/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 6053-T6
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-T6 — frequently asked
What is 6053-T6 used for?
6053-T6 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-T6?
6053-T6 has a typical yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 6053-T6 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 59% 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-T6 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-T6?
Takes clear, colour and hard-coat anodize well; also suitable for chromate/trivalent conversion coating and paint; no special plating issues.
Can 6053-T6 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-T6?
6053-T6 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.