Aluminum 6101B
AA 6101B · EN AW-6101B, 3.3207
6101B (EN AW-6101B, 3.3207, AlMgSi(B)) is the conductivity-first variant of the 6101 Al-Mg-Si conductor alloy, rated at 57% IACS and 220 W/m·K.
Reference datasheet — 6101B 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
6101B tempers and conditions
6101B is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. T6 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Mill supply condition for stock that will be solution treated/aged or heavily formed by the customer; no guaranteed strength or conductivity. | 90 | 150 | 18 | 45 HB | 55 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Pick when maximum conductivity, better bend formability and thermal stability at bolted joints matter more than strength. | 125 | 170 | 14 | 55 HB | 59 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Default busbar temper: best compromise when the conductor must carry bolt loads or span between supports while still meeting ~33 MS/m. | 165 | 205 | 10 | 70 HB | 57 % IACS |
What is 6101B?
6101B (EN AW-6101B, 3.3207, AlMgSi(B)) is the conductivity-first variant of the 6101 Al-Mg-Si conductor alloy, rated at 57% IACS and 220 W/m·K. Typical properties are 165 MPa yield, 205 MPa tensile, 10% elongation and 70 HB, supplied mainly as extruded conductor bar, tube and shaped profiles. It extrudes and bends easily, but service is limited to about 150 °C and the weld HAZ overages toward T7 strength, so joints are sized on annealed properties or bolted. 6101A is the alternative when higher mechanical strength is needed at similar conductivity. 6101B has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 615°C (1,139 °F). 6101B has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) — weaker than 58% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 6101B used for?
- conductor bars
- electrical connectors
- transformer/switchgear parts
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 220 W/m·K (127.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 94% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 57 % IACS, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 70/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
6101B properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6101B-T6; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6101B has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 615°C (1,139 °F).
Mechanical11
6101B has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) — weaker than 58% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6101B is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 220 W/m·K (127.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 94% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.5 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6101B conducts electricity at 57 % IACS, better than 94% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6101B takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability7
6101B's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability good (55/100).
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. 6101B is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6101B
Is 6101B easy to machine?
Machines easily but gummy in T7 — use sharp polished-flute carbide tools, high speed, generous rake and coolant/lubricant to avoid built-up edge on drilled/punched bolt holes.
Can 6101B be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 4043 or 5356 filler; the HAZ overages to near-T7 strength, so size joints on annealed properties and re-age or bolt where full T6 strength is needed.
Can 6101B be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes very easily at low press pressure; bend busbar in T7 or immediately after solution treatment — T6 bars need generous radii (≥2t) to avoid cracking.
6101B 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 | 0.3 – 0.7 | 0.5 |
| Mg | 0.35 – 0.8 | 0.55 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Cumax, kept low for conductivity | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cr | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Bboron addition ties up transition metals to raise conductivity | ≤ 0.06 | |
| Others (each)total 0.10 max | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6101B?
Anodizes clear or in colour with excellent uniformity; contact faces are usually tin- or silver-plated (or greased/brushed under bolt pressure) since the oxide film is insulating.
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 6101B in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-6101B3.3207
How much does 6101B cost?
6101B is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
6101B — frequently asked
What is 6101B used for?
6101B is typically used for conductor bars, electrical connectors and transformer/switchgear parts. In short: conductivity-first conductor grade; softer than 6101A; easy-bending busbar alloy.
What is the yield strength of 6101B?
6101B has a typical yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) — weaker than 58% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is 6101B easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades). Machines easily but gummy in T7 — use sharp polished-flute carbide tools, high speed, generous rake and coolant/lubricant to avoid built-up edge on drilled/punched bolt holes.
Can 6101B be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 4043 or 5356 filler; the HAZ overages to near-T7 strength, so size joints on annealed properties and re-age or bolt where full T6 strength is needed.
What surface finishes work on 6101B?
Anodizes clear or in colour with excellent uniformity; contact faces are usually tin- or silver-plated (or greased/brushed under bolt pressure) since the oxide film is insulating.
Can 6101B be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes very easily at low press pressure; bend busbar in T7 or immediately after solution treatment — T6 bars need generous radii (≥2t) to avoid cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6101B?
6101B 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 6101B-T6 and 6101B-F?
T6 is the default condition — default busbar temper: best compromise when the conductor must carry bolt loads or span between supports while still meeting ~33 MS/m. F: mill supply condition for stock that will be solution treated/aged or heavily formed by the customer; no guaranteed strength or conductivity. Yield strength is 165 MPa in T6 versus 90 MPa in F.
How much does 6101B cost?
6101B is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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
- EN 573-3 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys, chemical composition of wrought products — CEN (2019)
- EN 755-2 — Extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles: mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- EN 12392 / EN 13601 related busbar conductor requirements — CEN (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum Association Teal Sheets — Registration Record of Alloys — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- Electrical conductor (busbar) extrusion alloy datasheets, 6101/6101A/6101B — European extruders (e.g. Constellium/Hydro) (2022)
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.