Aluminum 6061/Al2O3/20p
also Duralcan W6A.20A
6061/Al2O3/20p (Duralcan W6A.20A) is a wrought-processable aluminum metal-matrix composite: a 6061 matrix reinforced with 20 vol% alumina particulate, produced as extruded or rolled stock in F, O, T4, T5, T6 and T651.
Reference datasheet — 6061/Al2O3/20p is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the T6 condition
6061/Al2O3/20p tempers and conditions
6061/Al2O3/20p is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. T6 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition for maximum (still limited) formability and machining before heat treatment. | 75 | 150 | 10 | 48 HB | 38 % IACS |
As fabricated | Mill state straight from extrusion or rolling; use when the part will be solution treated and aged afterwards. | 165 | 275 | 4 | 72 HB | 35 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Choose when some post-heat-treat forming or bending is needed and full T6 strength is not required. | 180 | 290 | 5 | 78 HB | 30 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Press-quenched extrusions aged without separate solution treatment — lower cost, moderate strength, less distortion. | 265 | 305 | 3 | 95 HB | 34 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard stocked condition: peak strength, stiffness and wear resistance for extruded bar, tube and forgings. | 317 | 359 | 2.5 | 110 HB | 32 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching | Plate and rolled-bar version of T6 with stretch stress relief for dimensionally stable machined parts. | 325 | 365 | 2.5 | 112 HB | 32 % IACS |
What is 6061/Al2O3/20p?
6061/Al2O3/20p (Duralcan W6A.20A) is a wrought-processable aluminum metal-matrix composite: a 6061 matrix reinforced with 20 vol% alumina particulate, produced as extruded or rolled stock in F, O, T4, T5, T6 and T651. It offers higher modulus and wear resistance than unreinforced 6061 while retaining 2.5% elongation, with 317 MPa yield, 359 MPa tensile, 110 HB (66 HRB), 150 W/m·K and 32% IACS. Limits are machinability 22 (diamond tooling), formability 20, weldability 35 and 180 °C maximum service. 6061-T6 remains the choice where cost, formability and anodize appearance dominate. 6061/Al2O3/20p has a density of 2.9 g/cm³ (0.105 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of aluminum grades. It melts at 582°C (1,080 °F). 6061/Al2O3/20p has a yield strength of 317 MPa (46 ksi) and a tensile strength of 359 MPa (52.1 ksi) — stronger than 79% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 98 GPa (14.2 Msi).
What is 6061/Al2O3/20p used for?
- structural extrusions
- sporting goods
- industrial rollers
- wear-resistant tubing
Advantages
- Stiff — 98 GPa (14.2 Msi), better than 99% of aluminum grades
- High service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), better than 86% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 317 MPa (46 ksi), better than 79% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 22/100, worse than 98% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 2.5%, worse than 83% of aluminum grades
- Low fracture toughness — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), worse than 83% of aluminum grades
6061/Al2O3/20p properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6061/Al2O3/20p-T6; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6061/Al2O3/20p has a density of 2.9 g/cm³ (0.105 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of aluminum grades. It melts at 582°C (1,080 °F).
Mechanical16
6061/Al2O3/20p has a yield strength of 317 MPa (46 ksi) and a tensile strength of 359 MPa (52.1 ksi) — stronger than 79% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 98 GPa (14.2 Msi).
Thermal6
6061/Al2O3/20p is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 150 W/m·K (86.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 58% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 18 µm/m·K (10 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6061/Al2O3/20p conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, worse than 63% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 51% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6061/Al2O3/20p takes about 215 MJ of energy and emits 13.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 93% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
6061/Al2O3/20p's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 98% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability poor (20/100).
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. 6061/Al2O3/20p is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6061/Al2O3/20p
Is 6061/Al2O3/20p easy to machine?
Use PCD or CVD-diamond tooling at moderate speed and generous feed; carbide wears out in minutes and grinding requires diamond wheels.
Can 6061/Al2O3/20p be welded?
Friction stir welding and resistance welding give the best joints; GTAW/GMAW with 4043/4047 filler works but particle clustering and porosity cut joint ductility.
Can 6061/Al2O3/20p be formed, bent or molded?
Hot extrude/forge at 400–500 °C with low strain rates; cold forming is essentially limited to gentle large-radius bends in O or T4.
6061/Al2O3/20p 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Al2O3reinforcement, vol% (≈27 wt%); balance below is the 6061 matrix composition in wt% | 18 – 22 | 20 |
| Mgmatrix | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Simatrix | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Cumatrix | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.28 |
| Crmatrix | 0.04 – 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Feimpurity max | ≤ 0.7 | 0.3 |
| Mnimpurity max | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Znimpurity max | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Tiimpurity max | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Almatrix balance | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6061/Al2O3/20p?
Grind or lap with diamond abrasives; anodizing gives a mottled, less protective film, so hard chrome, electroless Ni or paint is often preferred for cosmetic or wear surfaces.
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).
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 6061/Al2O3/20p in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Duralcan W6A.20A
How much does 6061/Al2O3/20p cost?
6061/Al2O3/20p is a high-cost aluminum ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
6061/Al2O3/20p — frequently asked
What is 6061/Al2O3/20p used for?
6061/Al2O3/20p is typically used for structural extrusions, sporting goods, industrial rollers and wear-resistant tubing. In short: extrudable aluminum MMC; stiffer than 6061-T6; friction stir weldable.
What is the yield strength of 6061/Al2O3/20p?
6061/Al2O3/20p has a typical yield strength of 317 MPa (46 ksi) and a tensile strength of 359 MPa (52.1 ksi) — stronger than 79% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 6061/Al2O3/20p easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 98% of aluminum grades). Use PCD or CVD-diamond tooling at moderate speed and generous feed; carbide wears out in minutes and grinding requires diamond wheels.
Can 6061/Al2O3/20p be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Friction stir welding and resistance welding give the best joints; GTAW/GMAW with 4043/4047 filler works but particle clustering and porosity cut joint ductility.
What surface finishes work on 6061/Al2O3/20p?
Grind or lap with diamond abrasives; anodizing gives a mottled, less protective film, so hard chrome, electroless Ni or paint is often preferred for cosmetic or wear surfaces.
Can 6061/Al2O3/20p be formed, bent or molded?
Hot extrude/forge at 400–500 °C with low strain rates; cold forming is essentially limited to gentle large-radius bends in O or T4.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6061/Al2O3/20p?
6061/Al2O3/20p is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 6061/Al2O3/20p-T6 and 6061/Al2O3/20p-O?
T6 is the default condition — standard stocked condition: peak strength, stiffness and wear resistance for extruded bar, tube and forgings. O: softest condition for maximum (still limited) formability and machining before heat treatment. Yield strength is 317 MPa in T6 versus 75 MPa in O.
How much does 6061/Al2O3/20p cost?
6061/Al2O3/20p is a high-cost aluminum ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
Sources
- Duralcan Composite Data Book — W6A series (6061/Al2O3) — Alcan / Duralcan USA (1993)
- ASM Handbook Vol.21: Composites — Discontinuously Reinforced Aluminum — ASM International (2001)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys (6061) — ASM International (1990)
- ANSI H35.1 / AA Teal Sheets — Alloy and Temper Designations — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- MatWeb entries for Duralcan W6A.20A aluminium-matrix composite — MatWeb LLC (2024)
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.