Aluminum 6065
AA 6065 · UNS A96065 · EN AlMg1Bi1Si
6065 is a bismuth-modified Al-Mg-Si alloy (A96065, AlMg1Bi1Si) formulated so that dispersed Bi particles break chips, giving free-cutting behaviour in the 6000-series family.
Reference datasheet — 6065 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
6065 tempers and conditions
6065 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, supplied for heavy cold drawing, upsetting or bending before re-heat-treatment. | 85 | 175 | 20 | 40 HB | 50 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching | Choose when straightness and low residual stress matter for long machined parts. | 370 | 400 | 10 | 118 HB | 44 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching, minor straightening | Extruded bar temper with tightest straightness/stress control for precision turned components. | 370 | 400 | 10 | 118 HB | 44 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard high-strength condition for extruded/cold-finished bar destined for automatic-lathe machining. | 375 | 400 | 10 | 120 HB | 44 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked and artificially aged | Cold-drawn-then-aged bar giving slightly higher strength and better surface finish than T6. | 385 | 405 | 10 | 120 HB | 44 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, artificially aged and cold worked | Peak-strength cold-finished bar temper; best chip control, dimensional accuracy and surface finish for high-volume screw-machine work. | 400 | 415 | 10 | 125 HB | 44 % IACS |
What is 6065?
6065 is a bismuth-modified Al-Mg-Si alloy (A96065, AlMg1Bi1Si) formulated so that dispersed Bi particles break chips, giving free-cutting behaviour in the 6000-series family. Engineers specify it for machined bar-stock parts that need a machinability score of 88 together with 375 MPa yield, 400 MPa tensile, 10% elongation and 120 HB in the default aged condition; usual forms are extruded and cold-drawn bar in O, T6, T651, T6511, T8 and T9. Limits are low weldability (score 35) because of hot cracking from bismuth phases, restricted formability (score 30) and a 150 °C service ceiling. Where welding is required, use standard 6061 or 6082 instead. 6065 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 582°C (1,080 °F). 6065 has a yield strength of 375 MPa (54.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 86% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 6065 used for?
- Machined bar stock parts
- Screw-machine fittings and adapters
- Threaded connectors and bushings
- Hydraulic and pneumatic valve bodies
- Instrument and sensor housings
- Precision turned shafts and spacers
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 88/100, better than 96% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 375 MPa (54.4 ksi), better than 86% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 44 % IACS, better than 85% 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 — 68/100, better than 75% of aluminum grades
6065 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6065-T6; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6065 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 582°C (1,080 °F).
Mechanical12
6065 has a yield strength of 375 MPa (54.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 86% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6065 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
6065 conducts electricity at 44 % IACS, better than 85% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6065 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
6065's machinability is excellent (88/100, better than 96% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability poor (30/100).
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. 6065 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6065
Is 6065 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour: Bi particles break chips, allowing high feeds, small radii and reamed/threaded features with long tool life; use polished-flute carbide and mist/flood coolant.
Can 6065 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended — bismuth phases cause hot cracking and porosity; join by mechanical means, adhesive or friction/resistance processes if unavoidable.
Can 6065 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as extruded or cold-drawn bar; bend and thread-roll only in O/T4, T6–T9 tempers have limited ductility (10% elongation).
6065 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 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.7 | 0.3 |
| Cu | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Mg | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Cr | 0.04 – 0.14 | 0.09 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Bifree-machining addition; replaces Pb of 6262 | 0.5 – 1.5 | 1 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6065?
Anodizes clear and hard well (good for hard-coat and Type II); bright decorative anodize may show fine spotting from Bi particles — chromate/electroless plating also practical.
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 6065 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A96065
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AlMg1Bi1Si
How much does 6065 cost?
6065 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
6065 — frequently asked
What is 6065 used for?
6065 is typically used for machined bar stock parts, screw-machine fittings and adapters, threaded connectors and bushings, hydraulic and pneumatic valve bodies, instrument and sensor housings and precision turned shafts and spacers. In short: free-machining 6000-series alloy; bismuth chip breaker; not for fusion welding.
What is the yield strength of 6065?
6065 has a typical yield strength of 375 MPa (54.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 86% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 6065 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (88/100, better than 96% of aluminum grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour: Bi particles break chips, allowing high feeds, small radii and reamed/threaded features with long tool life; use polished-flute carbide and mist/flood coolant.
Can 6065 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Fusion welding is not recommended — bismuth phases cause hot cracking and porosity; join by mechanical means, adhesive or friction/resistance processes if unavoidable.
What surface finishes work on 6065?
Anodizes clear and hard well (good for hard-coat and Type II); bright decorative anodize may show fine spotting from Bi particles — chromate/electroless plating also practical.
Can 6065 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as extruded or cold-drawn bar; bend and thread-roll only in O/T4, T6–T9 tempers have limited ductility (10% elongation).
What is the maximum service temperature of 6065?
6065 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 6065-T6 and 6065-O?
T6 is the default condition — standard high-strength condition for extruded/cold-finished bar destined for automatic-lathe machining. O: softest condition, supplied for heavy cold drawing, upsetting or bending before re-heat-treatment. Yield strength is 375 MPa in T6 versus 85 MPa in O.
How much does 6065 cost?
6065 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B211 / B221 — Aluminum-Alloy Bar, Rod, Wire and Extruded Bar — ASTM (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Lead-free free-machining Al-Mg-Si-Bi bar datasheets (extruder/drawer literature) — Various 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.