FabDigitFabDigit

Aluminum 6061/Al2O3/20p-T651

Temper

also Duralcan W6A.20A

T651 = t6, stress relieved by stretching

Plate and rolled-bar version of T6 with stretch stress relief for dimensionally stable machined parts.

High cost $$$$

Values for the T651 condition

Other 6061/Al2O3/20p tempers and conditions

6061/Al2O3/20p is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 6061/Al2O3/20p.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Annealed
Softest condition for maximum (still limited) formability and machining before heat treatment.751501048 HB38 % IACS
As fabricated
Mill state straight from extrusion or rolling; use when the part will be solution treated and aged afterwards.165275472 HB35 % 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.180290578 HB30 % IACS
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged
Press-quenched extrusions aged without separate solution treatment — lower cost, moderate strength, less distortion.265305395 HB34 % IACS
T6Default
Solution heat treated and artificially aged
Standard stocked condition: peak strength, stiffness and wear resistance for extruded bar, tube and forgings.3173592.5110 HB32 % IACS
T651This page
T6, stress relieved by stretching
Plate and rolled-bar version of T6 with stretch stress relief for dimensionally stable machined parts.3253652.5112 HB32 % IACS

What is 6061/Al2O3/20p-T651?

6061/Al2O3/20p-T651 is 6061/Al2O3/20p in the T651 temper — plate and rolled-bar version of T6 with stretch stress relief for dimensionally stable machined parts. 6061/Al2O3/20p-T651 has a yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 365 MPa (52.9 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 98 GPa (14.2 Msi). 6061/Al2O3/20p-T651 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). T6 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T651 is available on request or by drawing note.

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 — 325 MPa (47.1 ksi), better than 81% of aluminum grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 23/100, 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-T651 properties

Typical room-temperature values for 6061/Al2O3/20p-T651; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 6061/Al2O3/20p reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.

Physical3

6061/Al2O3/20p-T651 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).

Density2.9 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)582°C1,080 °F
Liquidus Temperature652°C1,206 °F

Mechanical16

6061/Al2O3/20p-T651 has a yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 365 MPa (52.9 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 98 GPa (14.2 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus98 GPa14.2 Msi
Shear Modulus38 GPa5.5 Msi
Bulk Modulus90 GPa13.1 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.32
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)365 MPa52.9 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)325 MPa47.1 ksi
Elongation at Break2.5%
Reduction in Area3%
Compressive Strength340 MPa49.3 ksi
Shear Strength215 MPa31.2 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)145 MPa21 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)17 MPa·√m15.5 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)5 J3.7 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell112 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B66 HRB
Hardness, Vickers118 HV

Thermal6

6061/Al2O3/20p-T651 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).

Thermal Conductivity150 W/m·K86.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity880 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)18 µm/m·K10 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion290 J/g125 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)180°C356 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical3

6061/Al2O3/20p-T651 conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, worse than 63% of aluminum grades.

Electrical Conductivity32 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity5.4×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.13 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 51% of aluminum grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.8 V
Corrosion ResistanceGood55/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood in neutral water, atmosphere and most organics; attacked by strong acids and alkalis. Particle–matrix interfaces and any Al4C3-free but porous regions act as pit initiation sites, so pitting and crevice resistance in chlorides is somewhat below monolithic 6061; anodize or paint for marine service.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 6061/Al2O3/20p-T651 takes about 215 MJ of energy and emits 13.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 93% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)215 MJ/kg92,433 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)13.5 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content5%

Manufacturability8

6061/Al2O3/20p-T651's machinability is poor (23/100, worse than 98% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability poor (20/100).

MachinabilityPoor23/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)20%
WeldabilityFair35/100
Formability (cold)Poor20/100
CastabilityFair45/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityPoor25/100
PolishabilityFair50/100
Anodizing Responsefair — hard and sulfuric anodizing possible but Al2O3 particles remain unconverted, giving a porous, non-uniform and lightly mottled film; hard-coat thickness and dielectric quality are below monolithic 6061

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 6061/Al2O3/20p-T651

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.

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.

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Al2O3reinforcement, vol% (≈27 wt%); balance below is the 6061 matrix composition in wt%18 – 2220
Mgmatrix0.8 – 1.21
Simatrix0.4 – 0.80.6
Cumatrix0.15 – 0.40.28
Crmatrix0.04 – 0.350.2
Feimpurity max≤ 0.70.3
Mnimpurity max≤ 0.150.05
Znimpurity max≤ 0.250.05
Tiimpurity max≤ 0.150.05
Almatrix balancebalance—

6061/Al2O3/20p-T651 — frequently asked

What is 6061/Al2O3/20p-T651 used for?

6061/Al2O3/20p-T651 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-T651?

6061/Al2O3/20p-T651 has a typical yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 365 MPa (52.9 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is 6061/Al2O3/20p-T651 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (23/100, 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-T651 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-T651?

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-T651 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-T651?

6061/Al2O3/20p-T651 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.

Sources

  1. Duralcan Composite Data Book — W6A series (6061/Al2O3) — Alcan / Duralcan USA (1993)
  2. ASM Handbook Vol.21: Composites — Discontinuously Reinforced Aluminum — ASM International (2001)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys (6061) — ASM International (1990)
  4. ANSI H35.1 / AA Teal Sheets — Alloy and Temper Designations — The Aluminum Association (2018)
  5. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.