Aluminum 6060-T1
Temper
AA 6060 · UNS A96060 · EN AlMgSi, AlMgSi0.5 · JIS A6060
T1 = cooled from hot working and naturally aged
Low-cost soft-ish extrusion temper for tube and trim that must still be bent or crimped on site.
Values for the T1 condition
Other 6060 tempers and conditions
6060 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 6060.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T1This page Cooled from hot working and naturally aged | Low-cost soft-ish extrusion temper for tube and trim that must still be bent or crimped on site. | 70 | 130 | 20 | 42 HB | 55 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Choose for parts that are bent, roll-formed or riveted after supply and then artificially aged (T4 → T6) for final strength. | 75 | 140 | 20 | 50 HB | 50 % IACS |
T5, stress relieved by stretching | Press-quenched-in-still-air, artificially aged extrusion temper giving slightly lower strength than forced-air T5, used for thin architectural 6060 profiles with excellent anodizing. | 110 | 150 | 9 | 50 HB | 55 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Standard economical press-quenched profile temper: good straightness and surface, moderate strength, still bendable. | 135 | 180 | 12 | 65 HB | 56 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and under-aged | Under-aged temper for profiles that must be bent, roll-formed or bright-anodized while keeping useful strength. | 140 | 195 | 15 | 62 HB | 53 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | The default stocked temper: full precipitation strength for structural profiles, frames and machined parts. | 170 | 215 | 12 | 75 HB | 54 % IACS |
T6 with improved mechanical properties | Highest-strength 6060 temper (special ageing/process control) for load-bearing window and curtain-wall profiles. | 185 | 230 | 10 | 80 HB | 53 % IACS |
What is 6060-T1?
6060-T1 is 6060 in the T1 temper — low-cost soft-ish extrusion temper for tube and trim that must still be bent or crimped on site. 6060-T1 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 6060-T1 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 600°C (1,112 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 209 W/m·K (120.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 55 % IACS, better than 93% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 93% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 35 MPa·√m (31.9 ksi·√in), better than 91% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 70 MPa (10.2 ksi), worse than 92% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
6060-T1 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6060-T1; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 6060 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6060-T1 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 600°C (1,112 °F).
Mechanical12
6060-T1 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6060-T1 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 209 W/m·K (120.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6060-T1 conducts electricity at 55 % IACS, better than 93% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6060-T1 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
6060-T1's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 6060-T1
Is 6060 easy to machine?
Machines easily but gummy in soft tempers — use polished-flute, high-rake carbide tools, 300–1000 m/min, generous flood or MQL to avoid built-up edge; machine in T5/T6 for best finish.
Can 6060 be welded?
Very good with GMAW/GTAW (ER4043 for crack resistance, ER5356 for colour-matched anodizing) and readily FSW-able; expect HAZ strength to drop toward T4/O values unless post-weld aged.
Can 6060 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding extrudability (thin walls, complex hollows, high press speeds); bend and roll-form in O/T4/T64, avoid tight radii in T6/T66; T4 material can be formed then aged to T6.
What surface finishes work on 6060?
Best-in-class decorative and bright anodizing (clear, colour and electrolytic bronze); also takes powder coat over chromate-free pretreatment, and mechanical brushing/polishing before anodize.
6060 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 | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Fedeliberate Fe range for grain/surface control | 0.1 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Mg | 0.35 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Others (each)total others max 0.15 | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Alremainder, ≥98.4 % typical | balance | — |
6060-T1 — frequently asked
What is 6060-T1 used for?
6060-T1 is typically used for LED and lighting housings, architectural window and door extrusions, decorative trim and cover profiles, heat sink profiles, enclosure and cabinet frames and handrail and partition sections. In short: superior corrosion resistance; smooth.
What is the yield strength of 6060-T1?
6060-T1 has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 6060-T1 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades). Machines easily but gummy in soft tempers — use polished-flute, high-rake carbide tools, 300–1000 m/min, generous flood or MQL to avoid built-up edge; machine in T5/T6 for best finish.
Can 6060-T1 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Very good with GMAW/GTAW (ER4043 for crack resistance, ER5356 for colour-matched anodizing) and readily FSW-able; expect HAZ strength to drop toward T4/O values unless post-weld aged.
What surface finishes work on 6060-T1?
Best-in-class decorative and bright anodizing (clear, colour and electrolytic bronze); also takes powder coat over chromate-free pretreatment, and mechanical brushing/polishing before anodize.
Can 6060-T1 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding extrudability (thin walls, complex hollows, high press speeds); bend and roll-form in O/T4/T64, avoid tight radii in T6/T66; T4 material can be formed then aged to T6.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6060-T1?
6060-T1 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 6060-T1?
Yes — 6060-T1 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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 755-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles: mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- EN 1999-1-1 Eurocode 9: Design of aluminium structures — CEN (2007)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- Extrusion alloy AA6060 / EN AW-6060 profile datasheets — Hydro / Constellium (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.