Aluminum 6061
AA 6061 · UNS A96061 · EN AlMg1SiCu, AW-6061 · JIS A6061, A6061P · GB LD30
6061 is the workhorse heat-treatable Al–Mg–Si (6000 series) wrought alloy, strengthened by Mg2Si precipitates with a small Cu addition for extra strength.
Values for the T6 condition
6061 tempers and conditions
6061 is supplied in 20 conditions, soft to hard. T6 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 20 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum formability (deep drawing, tight bends) before subsequent solution treatment and ageing. | 55 | 124 | 27 | 30 HB | 47 % IACS |
As fabricated | Hot-worked stock (extrusion, forging, rolled billet) bought for subsequent heat treatment; mechanical properties not guaranteed. | 90 | 170 | 22 | 45 HB | 47 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and naturally aged | Occasionally supplied press-quenched extrusions of low strength intended for further forming or ageing. | 100 | 180 | 20 | 50 HB | 46 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged by the user | Material re-solution-treated from O or F by the fabricator; specified when heat treatment happens after forming. | 140 | 250 | 22 | 65 HB | 40 % IACS |
As printed (laser powder-bed fusion / DED, no post-treatment) | As-built additively manufactured 6061 (often with grain-refining modifiers such as 6061-RAM2); anisotropic, hot-crack prone and normally heat treated before use. | 140 | 230 | 7 | 60 HB | 40 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Choose when parts must be bent, drawn or roll-formed at medium strength and then optionally aged to T6. | 145 | 241 | 22 | 65 HB | 40 % IACS |
T4, stress relieved by stretching | Flat, low-residual-stress T4 plate for parts machined before ageing. | 145 | 241 | 20 | 65 HB | 40 % IACS |
T4 extrusion, stress relieved by stretching and minor straightening | Straight, low-stress T4 extrusions and drawn tube for machined parts aged after cutting. | 145 | 241 | 20 | 65 HB | 40 % IACS |
Stress relieved (thermal, AM or wrought) | Low-temperature thermal stress relief (typically ~300 °C) used on additively built or heavily machined parts; strength between annealed and T6. | 150 | 230 | 12 | 60 HB | 45 % IACS |
T5, stress relieved by stretching | Rarely stocked variant of T5 for rolled or extruded rod where only ageing is applied. | 225 | 255 | 12 | 82 HB | 44 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Economical press-quenched-and-aged extrusions where near-T6 strength with less distortion is acceptable. | 240 | 260 | 11 | 85 HB | 43 % IACS |
Hot isostatic pressed | Applied to additively built or cast 6061 to close porosity and lift ductility and fatigue life; usually followed by a T6 ageing cycle. | 250 | 290 | 11 | 90 HB | 43 % IACS |
T6, heat treated by the user | Specify when O/F material is formed first and given the full T6 cycle by the fabricator; slightly lower guaranteed properties than mill T6. | 265 | 305 | 11 | 93 HB | 43 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by compression | Hand and die forgings needing dimensional stability during heavy machining. | 275 | 305 | 10 | 95 HB | 43 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Default choice: peak-strength general engineering temper for machined parts, frames, fixtures and structural extrusions. | 276 | 310 | 12 | 95 HB | 43 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching | The standard plate temper for precision machined parts and mould/jig plate: T6 strength with low residual stress and minimal warping. | 276 | 310 | 11 | 95 HB | 43 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching, minor straightening | The usual temper for straight, low-stress 6061 bar, rod and tube destined for CNC machining. | 276 | 310 | 10 | 95 HB | 43 % IACS |
T6 extrusion, stress relieved by stretching, no straightening | Low-residual-stress T6 extrusions and drawn tube where post-stretch straightening is not permitted. | 276 | 310 | 10 | 95 HB | 43 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked, artificially aged | High-strength thermomechanical temper for 6061 rod/bar/wire: solution treated, cold worked, then artificially aged, giving roughly 15–20 % more strength than T6 with reduced ductility and formability. | 386 | 405 | 12 | 110 HB | 42 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, artificially aged, cold worked | Peak-strength cold-finished temper for 6061 bar/wire: aged to T6 and then cold worked, delivering the highest 6061 strength level at low elongation and poor cold formability. | 414 | 434 | 12 | 116 HB | 42 % IACS |
What is 6061?
6061 is the workhorse heat-treatable Al–Mg–Si (6000 series) wrought alloy, strengthened by Mg2Si precipitates with a small Cu addition for extra strength. It is chosen for its balance of medium strength, excellent extrudability and machinability, good weldability, good atmospheric corrosion resistance and excellent anodizing response, in plate, extrusion, bar, tube and forging form. Limits: strength drops sharply in the weld heat-affected zone (T6 joints recover only partly without post-weld ageing), it is not suitable for high-strength aerospace primary structure (see 7075/2024), and prolonged service above ~150 °C over-ages the alloy. 6061 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 582°C (1,080 °F). 6061 has a yield strength of 276 MPa (40 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 72% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
What is 6061 used for?
- General CNC machined parts
- Aerospace and structural brackets
- Hydraulic manifolds and valve bodies
- Machine frames and extruded structural profiles
- Robotics and automation components
- Tooling plate and jig fixtures
- Pressure and instrument housings
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 43 % IACS, better than 83% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 167 W/m·K (96.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of aluminum grades
- High service temperature — 170°C (338 °F), better than 80% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
6061 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6061-T6; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6061 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 582°C (1,080 °F).
Mechanical16
6061 has a yield strength of 276 MPa (40 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 72% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
Thermal6
6061 is rated for continuous service to 170°C (338 °F). It conducts heat at 167 W/m·K (96.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6061 conducts electricity at 43 % IACS, better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 51% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6061 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability6
6061's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability fair (35/100).
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 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6061
Is 6061 easy to machine?
Machines very well in T6/T651 with polished-flute carbide, high speed and air/mist or flood coolant; annealed or T4 material is gummy and builds up on the edge.
Can 6061 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW/FSW welded — use 4043 for crack resistance or 5356 for higher weld ductility/anodizing match; expect HAZ strength to drop to roughly T4 levels unless the part is re-solutionised and aged.
Can 6061 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend and draw in O or T4 and age afterwards; T6 tolerates only generous bend radii (≈4–6 t) and is prone to cracking on tight bends. Extrudes and forges easily at 375–500 °C.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to 6061. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better70 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 350 / 420 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / 0.4 µm |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Good35 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better85 / 100 |
| Bendable | No |
| Minimum bend radius | 2.5× thickness |
| Sheet thickness range | 1 – 12 mm |
| Spring-back | Moderate |
6061 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 | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.7 | 0.35 |
| Cu | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.28 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Mgforms Mg2Si strengthening precipitates | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Crgrain control, SCC resistance | 0.04 – 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Alremainder, ~95.8–98.6 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6061?
Excellent for clear, colour and Type III hard anodizing (expect a slight grey cast), chromate/Ti-Zr conversion coating, powder coat and paint; bright polishing is limited by second-phase particles, and electroless nickel or zincate-plus-electroplate is used for plating.
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).
Passivation
Conversion Coating
PVD Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 6061 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A96061
- Aluminum Association
- AA6061
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AlMg1SiCuAW-60613.32113.3214
- BS
- H20
- ISO
- AlSi1MgCu
- GB (China)
- LD30
- JIS
- A6061A6061P
- Trade names
- A-GSUCAnticorodal
How much does 6061 cost?
6061 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 82% 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 — frequently asked
What is 6061 used for?
6061 is typically used for general CNC machined parts, aerospace and structural brackets, hydraulic manifolds and valve bodies, machine frames and extruded structural profiles, robotics and automation components and tooling plate and jig fixtures. In short: the go-to general purpose; versatile.
What is the yield strength of 6061?
6061 has a typical yield strength of 276 MPa (40 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 72% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 20 listed tempers.
Is 6061 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades). Machines very well in T6/T651 with polished-flute carbide, high speed and air/mist or flood coolant; annealed or T4 material is gummy and builds up on the edge.
Can 6061 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW/FSW welded — use 4043 for crack resistance or 5356 for higher weld ductility/anodizing match; expect HAZ strength to drop to roughly T4 levels unless the part is re-solutionised and aged.
What surface finishes work on 6061?
Excellent for clear, colour and Type III hard anodizing (expect a slight grey cast), chromate/Ti-Zr conversion coating, powder coat and paint; bright polishing is limited by second-phase particles, and electroless nickel or zincate-plus-electroplate is used for plating.
Can 6061 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend and draw in O or T4 and age afterwards; T6 tolerates only generous bend radii (≈4–6 t) and is prone to cracking on tight bends. Extrudes and forges easily at 375–500 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6061?
6061 is rated for continuous use to about 170°C (338 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 6061-T6 and 6061-O?
T6 is the default condition — default choice: peak-strength general engineering temper for machined parts, frames, fixtures and structural extrusions. O: pick for maximum formability (deep drawing, tight bends) before subsequent solution treatment and ageing. Yield strength is 276 MPa in T6 versus 55 MPa in O.
How much does 6061 cost?
6061 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 82% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 6061?
Yes — 6061 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
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B209 / B209M — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B221 — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles and Tubes — ASTM International (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- MMPDS-17 — Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization — Battelle/FAA (2022)
- EN 573-3 / EN 485-2 — EN AW-6061 (AlMg1SiCu) — CEN (2019)
- 6061 alloy technical datasheets (Alcoa / Constellium / Kaiser) — producers (2023)
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.