Aluminum 6151
AA 6151 · UNS A96151 · EN AW-6151, AW 6151
6151 is a medium-strength Al-Mg-Si-Cr heat-treatable wrought alloy developed mainly for die forgings and rolled rings, where it combines good forgeability with somewhat higher strength and better as-forged surface/detail definition than 6061.
6151 tempers and conditions
6151 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition, chosen for maximum formability or for machining before solution treatment. | 60 | 130 | 25 | 35 HB | 50 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Intermediate strength with good ductility; pick when bending or straightening is needed before final artificial ageing to T6. | 125 | 220 | 22 | 65 HB | 40 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard supply condition for 6151 die forgings and rolled rings; full strength with good toughness and machinability. | 295 | 330 | 17 | 100 HB | 43 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by compression | Hand/die forgings cold-compressed after quenching to remove residual stress — choose when heavy machining must stay dimensionally stable. | 295 | 330 | 15 | 100 HB | 43 % IACS |
What is 6151?
6151 is a medium-strength Al-Mg-Si-Cr heat-treatable wrought alloy developed mainly for die forgings and rolled rings, where it combines good forgeability with somewhat higher strength and better as-forged surface/detail definition than 6061. The chromium addition refines grain structure and improves toughness and stress-corrosion behaviour, and the alloy machines, welds and anodizes much like other 6000-series grades. Its limits are modest strength versus 2000/7000 series forging alloys, low availability in flat-rolled stock, and loss of temper above roughly 150-175 °C. 6151 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 588°C (1,090 °F). 6151 has a yield strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 75% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 6151 used for?
- Forged wheel discs
- Brake pistons
- Rolled rings
- Die-forged machinery components
- Forged suspension and steering parts
- Hydraulic equipment forgings
- Machined forged fittings
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 17%, better than 85% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 175 W/m·K (101.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 43 % IACS, better than 83% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), better than 76% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 295 MPa (42.8 ksi), better than 75% of aluminum grades
6151 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6151 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 588°C (1,090 °F).
Mechanical13
6151 has a yield strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 75% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6151 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 175 W/m·K (101.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23 µm/m·K (12.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6151 conducts electricity at 43 % IACS, better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), better than 62% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6151 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
6151's machinability is good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. 6151 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6151
Is 6151 easy to machine?
Machines well in T6 with sharp polished-flute carbide tooling, high speeds and flood or MQL lubrication; gummy and prone to built-up edge in O/T4.
Can 6151 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 4043 or 5356 filler; expect HAZ softening to near-T4 strength unless the part is re-solution treated and re-aged.
Can 6151 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot forgeability (about 380–450 °C) — the main reason the alloy exists; cold form only in O or T4, never in T6.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 6151. Every 6151 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better65 / 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 | Better35 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair70 / 100 |
6151 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 – 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.35 | 0.1 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Mg | 0.45 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Crgrain-structure control | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6151?
Takes clear and hard-coat anodizing well and accepts chromate/chrome-free conversion coatings and paint; bright decorative anodize is dull because of Si and Cr content.
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 6151 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A96151
- Aluminum Association
- AA6151
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-6151AW 6151
How much does 6151 cost?
6151 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 81% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
6151 — frequently asked
What is 6151 used for?
6151 is typically used for forged wheel discs, brake pistons, rolled rings, die-forged machinery components, forged suspension and steering parts and hydraulic equipment forgings. In short: forged disc alloy.
What is the yield strength of 6151?
6151 has a typical yield strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 75% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 6151 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades). Machines well in T6 with sharp polished-flute carbide tooling, high speeds and flood or MQL lubrication; gummy and prone to built-up edge in O/T4.
Can 6151 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 4043 or 5356 filler; expect HAZ softening to near-T4 strength unless the part is re-solution treated and re-aged.
What surface finishes work on 6151?
Takes clear and hard-coat anodizing well and accepts chromate/chrome-free conversion coatings and paint; bright decorative anodize is dull because of Si and Cr content.
Can 6151 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot forgeability (about 380–450 °C) — the main reason the alloy exists; cold form only in O or T4, never in T6.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6151?
6151 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 6151 cost?
6151 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 81% 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 6151?
Yes — 6151 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
- 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 and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM B247 — Aluminum-Alloy Die Forgings, Hand Forgings and Rolled Ring Forgings — ASTM (2020)
- Aluminum Standards and Data — The Aluminum Association (2017)
- MMPDS / metallic materials property typical values — Battelle (2023)
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.