Aluminum 6106
AA 6106 · UNS A96106 · EN AW-6106, AW 6106
6106 (EN AW-6106) is a medium-strength Al-Mg-Si extrusion alloy positioned between 6060/6063 and 6005A: slightly richer in Mg+Si than 6063 with a small Mn addition, so it press-quenches and ages to about 250–265 MPa tensile while still extruding into thin, complex profiles with a good anodizing surface.
6106 tempers and conditions
6106 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cooled from hot working and naturally aged | Low-cost as-pressed condition for lightly loaded profiles that still need some cold bending. | 90 | 165 | 16 | 50 HB | 51 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Use when profiles must be bent, roll-formed or drawn after supply and then aged to T6 by the fabricator. | 105 | 185 | 18 | 55 HB | 44 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Economical press-aged temper for thin architectural profiles where T6-level strength is not required. | 185 | 225 | 9 | 70 HB | 50 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard supply condition: full precipitation-hardened strength (Rm ≥ 250 MPa per EN 755-2) for structural extrusions. | 220 | 265 | 10 | 80 HB | 49 % IACS |
What is 6106?
6106 (EN AW-6106) is a medium-strength Al-Mg-Si extrusion alloy positioned between 6060/6063 and 6005A: slightly richer in Mg+Si than 6063 with a small Mn addition, so it press-quenches and ages to about 250–265 MPa tensile while still extruding into thin, complex profiles with a good anodizing surface. It is chosen for architectural and transport profiles that need more load capacity than 6063 without moving to a harder-to-extrude alloy, and it welds and anodizes well. Limits are modest absolute strength versus 2000/7000 series, loss of temper above ~150 °C, and reduced cold formability in T5/T6. 6106 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). 6106 has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 69.5 GPa (10.1 Msi).
What is 6106 used for?
- Decorative extrusions
- Tube
- Window frames
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 190 W/m·K (109.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 89% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 49 % IACS, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of aluminum grades
6106 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6106 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).
Mechanical13
6106 has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 69.5 GPa (10.1 Msi).
Thermal6
6106 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 190 W/m·K (109.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 89% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6106 conducts electricity at 49 % IACS, better than 89% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 71% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6106 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
6106's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability fair (40/100).
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. 6106 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6106
Is 6106 easy to machine?
Machines easily in T5/T6 with sharp polished-flute carbide tools, high speed and generous coolant/lubricant to avoid built-up edge; softer tempers are gummy.
Can 6106 be welded?
Good MIG/TIG weldability with 4043 (crack resistance) or 5356 (strength/anodizing match); HAZ drops to roughly T4 strength unless post-weld aged.
Can 6106 be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes into thin, complex hollow profiles at moderate press loads; bend in F/T4 and age afterwards, since T6 needs generous bend radii.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 6106. Every 6106 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better50 / 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 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better40 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better80 / 100 |
6106 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 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Mngrain-structure control | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Mg | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Alremainder; others 0.05 each, 0.15 total | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6106?
Excellent clear, colour and hard anodizing; also takes chemical brightening, powder coating and chromate/chrome-free pretreatments well.
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 6106 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A96106
- Aluminum Association
- AA6106
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-6106AW 6106AlMgSiMn
How much does 6106 cost?
6106 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 82% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
6106 — frequently asked
What is 6106 used for?
6106 is typically used for decorative extrusions, tube and window frames. In short: decorative extrusion alloy.
What is the yield strength of 6106?
6106 has a typical yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 6106 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades). Machines easily in T5/T6 with sharp polished-flute carbide tools, high speed and generous coolant/lubricant to avoid built-up edge; softer tempers are gummy.
Can 6106 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Good MIG/TIG weldability with 4043 (crack resistance) or 5356 (strength/anodizing match); HAZ drops to roughly T4 strength unless post-weld aged.
What surface finishes work on 6106?
Excellent clear, colour and hard anodizing; also takes chemical brightening, powder coating and chromate/chrome-free pretreatments well.
Can 6106 be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes into thin, complex hollow profiles at moderate press loads; bend in F/T4 and age afterwards, since T6 needs generous bend radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6106?
6106 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 6106 cost?
6106 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), 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 6106?
Yes — 6106 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 755-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles: mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Chemical composition — CEN (2019)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- European extruder alloy datasheets for EN AW-6106 — extrusion producers (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.