Aluminum 6082 · temper
Aluminum 6082-T42
Properties of the T42 condition, compared with the other 6082 tempers.
6082 solution treated and naturally aged to a stable condition by the fabricator rather than the mill; mechanicals close to T4 with good formability before final ageing.
What is 6082-T42?
6082-T42 is 6082 in the T42 temper — 6082 solution treated and naturally aged to a stable condition by the fabricator rather than the mill; mechanicals close to T4 with good formability before final ageing. 6082-T42 has a yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) — weaker than 77% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). 6082-T42 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 60% of aluminum grades. It melts at 555°C (1,031 °F).
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 17%, better than 85% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 62/100, better than 78% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Low strength — 120 MPa (17.4 ksi), worse than 77% of aluminum grades
6082-T42 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6082-T42 — 34 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 6082 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
6082-T42 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 60% of aluminum grades. It melts at 555°C (1,031 °F).
Mechanical13
6082-T42 has a yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) — weaker than 77% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
6082-T42 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 155 W/m·K (89.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 71% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6082-T42 conducts electricity at 38 % IACS, better than 61% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (66/100), better than 73% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6082-T42 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability6
6082-T42's machinability is fair (52/100, worse than 62% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability good (62/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 6082 tempers and conditions
6082 is also supplied in 11 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 6082 overview.
- T651The standard machining plate temper — low residual stress so thick machined parts stay flat.285 MPa yield · 98 HB
- T6Default structural temper: maximum strength for extrusions, bar and tube with good corrosion resistance and weldability.265 MPa yield · 95 HB
- T62Full T6-level properties re-developed by the fabricator after forming or welding of O/F material; strength and hardness essentially match mill T6.265 MPa yield · 95 HB
- T6151Plate temper combining the T61 underaged cycle with controlled stretching, giving low residual stress and stable machining behaviour at near-T6 strength.240 MPa yield · 90 HB
- T61Deliberately underaged 6082 ageing cycle giving slightly lower strength than T6 but noticeably better ductility, toughness and bendability.235 MPa yield · 88 HB
- T5Press-quenched extrusion temper: cheaper than T6 with slightly lower strength; used for thin structural profiles.230 MPa yield · 85 HB
- T4Choose when parts must be bent or formed after heat treatment and then aged to T6 (or left as-is for moderate strength with good ductility).140 MPa yield · 65 HB
- T426082 solution treated and naturally aged to a stable condition by the fabricator rather than the mill; mechanicals close to T4 with good formability before final ageing.120 MPa yield · 62 HB
- OPick for deep forming, severe bending or intermediate processing before re-solution treating and ageing.65 MPa yield · 35 HB
Working with 6082-T42
Is 6082 easy to machine?
Machines well in T6/T651 with sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed (300–1000 m/min) and generous coolant/air blast; softer T4/O tempers are gummy and tend to build up on the edge.
Can 6082 be welded?
Readily MIG/TIG welded with 5356 (higher strength/anodizing match) or 4043 (less cracking); expect HAZ strength to fall to roughly T4 level unless post-weld solution treated and re-aged.
Can 6082 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend and roll in O or T4 (T4 bend radius ≈ 1–2 t); T6 tolerates only mild bending at ≥3–4 t radius and springs back strongly — extrudability is lower than 6063 so thin, complex profiles are harder.
What surface finishes work on 6082?
Excellent for sulfuric and hard anodizing (wear layers to ~60 µm); clear decorative anodize looks greyish due to Mn/Si constituents, so use etch+colour anodize, powder coat or chromate/Ti conversion coating for cosmetic parts.
6082 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 | 0.7 – 1.3 | 1 |
| Feimpurity | ≤ 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Mngrain-structure control, key difference vs 6061 | 0.4 – 1 | 0.65 |
| Mg | 0.6 – 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
6082-T42 — frequently asked
What is 6082-T42 used for?
6082-T42 is typically used for trusses, bridges and frames. In short: high strength; tough structural standard.
What is the yield strength of 6082-T42?
6082-T42 has a typical yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) — weaker than 77% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is 6082-T42 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, worse than 62% of aluminum grades). Machines well in T6/T651 with sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed (300–1000 m/min) and generous coolant/air blast; softer T4/O tempers are gummy and tend to build up on the edge.
Can 6082-T42 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Readily MIG/TIG welded with 5356 (higher strength/anodizing match) or 4043 (less cracking); expect HAZ strength to fall to roughly T4 level unless post-weld solution treated and re-aged.
What surface finishes work on 6082-T42?
Excellent for sulfuric and hard anodizing (wear layers to ~60 µm); clear decorative anodize looks greyish due to Mn/Si constituents, so use etch+colour anodize, powder coat or chromate/Ti conversion coating for cosmetic parts.
Can 6082-T42 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend and roll in O or T4 (T4 bend radius ≈ 1–2 t); T6 tolerates only mild bending at ≥3–4 t radius and springs back strongly — extrudability is lower than 6063 so thin, complex profiles are harder.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6082-T42?
6082-T42 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 6082-T42?
Yes — 6082-T42 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 extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles — mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- EN 485-2 Aluminium sheet, strip and plate — mechanical properties — CEN (2018)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- 6082 extrusion and plate alloy datasheets — Aalco / Constellium / Hydro (2022)
- SMM / Mysteel — SMM (2026)
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.