Aluminum 6111
AA 6111 · UNS A96111 · EN AW-6111
6111 is a bake-hardenable Al-Mg-Si (6000 series) automotive sheet alloy containing about 0.7 % Cu, stocked in O, T4, T4P, T6 and T8X.
Values for the T4 condition
6111 tempers and conditions
6111 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. T4 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition — pick for maximum drawability or for re-solution-treating afterwards. | 70 | 150 | 32 | 42 HB | 48 % IACS |
Solution treated, pre-aged (stabilised) for improved bake hardening | Proprietary pre-aged variant of T4: stable during shipping/storage and gives the highest paint-bake strength increment. | 155 | 290 | 27 | 76 HB | 41 % IACS |
T4Default Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Standard delivery temper for automotive body sheet: formable enough to stamp, then paint-bake hardens. | 160 | 295 | 26 | 78 HB | 40 % IACS |
Stamped in T4 and paint-bake aged | The in-service condition of a body panel: 2 % pre-strain plus ~175–185 °C / 20–30 min bake raises yield strength markedly. | 255 | 330 | 18 | 95 HB | 43 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Pick when maximum strength/dent resistance is needed and no further forming is required. | 310 | 360 | 12 | 105 HB | 44 % IACS |
What is 6111?
6111 is a bake-hardenable Al-Mg-Si (6000 series) automotive sheet alloy containing about 0.7 % Cu, stocked in O, T4, T4P, T6 and T8X. Engineers specify it for stamped outer and inner body panels because T4 sheet forms well — 26 % elongation with 160 MPa yield and 295 MPa tensile — and then gains strength during the paint-bake cycle. Limits are a 120 °C service ceiling, moderate corrosion resistance, and Cu-related hot-cracking and weld-zone corrosion sensitivity in fusion welds. 6016 or 6022 are the lower-strength alternatives for skin panels. 6111 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 560°C (1,040 °F). 6111 has a yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — weaker than 61% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is 6111 used for?
- Automotive outer body panels
- Door and roof skins
- Hood and closure inner panels
- Door and bumper reinforcements
- Body-in-white brackets and stiffeners
- Stamped structural sheet assemblies
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 26%, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 165 W/m·K (95.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), better than 76% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
6111 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6111-T4; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6111 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 560°C (1,040 °F).
Mechanical12
6111 has a yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — weaker than 61% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
6111 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 165 W/m·K (95.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.5 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6111 conducts electricity at 40 % IACS, better than 72% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), better than 57% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6111 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
6111's machinability is good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades); weldability good (55/100); formability very good (80/100).
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. 6111 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6111
Is 6111 easy to machine?
Machines like a soft 6000 series in T4 (use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, air/mist to avoid built-up edge); chips break better after aging to T6/T8.
Can 6111 be welded?
Excellent for resistance spot, laser and self-piercing-rivet joining; for fusion welding use 4043/4047 filler because the ~0.7 % Cu raises hot-cracking and weld-zone corrosion sensitivity.
Can 6111 be formed, bent or molded?
Stamp in T4/T4P (r-value and n-value tuned for outer panels); allow generous bend radii, watch roping/paint-visible surface lines from texture, and avoid forming in T6.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 6111. Every 6111 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Good80 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair55 / 100 |
6111 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 | 0.6 – 1.1 | 0.85 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Cugives fast bake-hardening response | 0.5 – 0.9 | 0.7 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.45 | 0.25 |
| Mg | 0.5 – 1 | 0.75 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Others (each)others total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6111?
Designed for e-coat/primer/paint after alkaline clean, deoxidise and Ti/Zr or phosphate pretreatment; clear anodize is only fair (Cu haze), so decorative anodizing is not recommended.
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).
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 6111 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A96111
- Aluminum Association
- AA6111
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-6111
How much does 6111 cost?
6111 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 80% 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.
6111 — frequently asked
What is 6111 used for?
6111 is typically used for automotive outer body panels, door and roof skins, hood and closure inner panels, door and bumper reinforcements, body-in-white brackets and stiffeners and stamped structural sheet assemblies. In short: higher-strength automotive sheet; bake-hardenable.
What is the yield strength of 6111?
6111 has a typical yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — weaker than 61% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 6111 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades). Machines like a soft 6000 series in T4 (use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, air/mist to avoid built-up edge); chips break better after aging to T6/T8.
Can 6111 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Excellent for resistance spot, laser and self-piercing-rivet joining; for fusion welding use 4043/4047 filler because the ~0.7 % Cu raises hot-cracking and weld-zone corrosion sensitivity.
What surface finishes work on 6111?
Designed for e-coat/primer/paint after alkaline clean, deoxidise and Ti/Zr or phosphate pretreatment; clear anodize is only fair (Cu haze), so decorative anodizing is not recommended.
Can 6111 be formed, bent or molded?
Stamp in T4/T4P (r-value and n-value tuned for outer panels); allow generous bend radii, watch roping/paint-visible surface lines from texture, and avoid forming in T6.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6111?
6111 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.
What is the difference between 6111-T4 and 6111-T6?
T4 is the default condition — standard delivery temper for automotive body sheet: formable enough to stamp, then paint-bake hardens. T6: pick when maximum strength/dent resistance is needed and no further forming is required. Yield strength is 160 MPa in T4 versus 310 MPa in T6.
How much does 6111 cost?
6111 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 80% 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 6111?
Yes — 6111 is available for 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
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B209 — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Automotive body sheet alloy data (6111/6111-T4P) — Alcoa / Novelis (2015)
- Aluminium automotive sheet property compilations — European Aluminium (Automotive Manual) (2013)
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.