Aluminum 6111 · temper · default condition
Aluminum 6111-T4
Properties of the T4 condition, compared with the other 6111 tempers.
Standard delivery temper for automotive body sheet: formable enough to stamp, then paint-bake hardens.
What is 6111-T4?
6111-T4 is 6111 in the T4 temper — standard delivery temper for automotive body sheet: formable enough to stamp, then paint-bake hardens. 6111-T4 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). 6111-T4 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).
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 26%, better than 95% 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-T4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6111-T4 — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 6111 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
6111-T4 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-T4 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-T4 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-T4 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-T4 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-T4'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.
Other 6111 tempers and conditions
6111 is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 6111 overview.
- T4DefaultStandard delivery temper for automotive body sheet: formable enough to stamp, then paint-bake hardens.160 MPa yield · 78 HB
- T6Pick when maximum strength/dent resistance is needed and no further forming is required.310 MPa yield · 105 HB
- T8XThe in-service condition of a body panel: 2 % pre-strain plus ~175–185 °C / 20–30 min bake raises yield strength markedly.255 MPa yield · 95 HB
- OSoftest condition — pick for maximum drawability or for re-solution-treating afterwards.70 MPa yield · 42 HB
Working with 6111-T4
Is 6111 easy to machine?
Machines like a soft 6xxx 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.
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.
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 | — |
6111-T4 — frequently asked
What is 6111-T4 used for?
6111-T4 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-T4?
6111-T4 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-T4 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades). Machines like a soft 6xxx 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-T4 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-T4?
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-T4 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-T4?
6111-T4 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 6111-T4?
Yes — 6111-T4 is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.