Aluminum 6181
AA 6181 · UNS A96181 · EN AW-6181, AW 6181
6181 is a heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si (6000 series) sheet alloy, supplied mainly in T4 for stamped automotive outer skin and structural panels, and developing its final strength during the paint-bake cycle.
6181 tempers and conditions
6181 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Choose for maximum drawability or when the part is heat treated after forming. | 60 | 125 | 28 | 33 HB | 50 % IACS |
Solution treated, pre-aged/stabilised T4 for automotive stamping | Pick when parts are stamped weeks after delivery and a strong paint-bake response with stable bendability is required. | 125 | 235 | 26 | 68 HB | 42 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Standard automotive body-sheet delivery condition: formable now, strengthened later by paint-bake. | 130 | 240 | 25 | 70 HB | 44 % IACS |
Solution treated and artificially aged | Mill-specified low-strength artificial aging used when better forming than T6 is needed with more strength than T4. | 200 | 270 | 16 | 82 HB | 46 % IACS |
T4 + paint-bake | Represents the in-service condition of stamped body panels after the paint-bake strength increase. | 215 | 285 | 15 | 85 HB | 46 % IACS |
T6 variant, underaged | Under-aged compromise when some post-aging bending or flanging is still required. | 235 | 290 | 14 | 88 HB | 46 % IACS |
T6, heat treated by the user | Applies when the fabricator re-solutionises formed parts and ages them to T6-level properties. | 270 | 310 | 11 | 94 HB | 48 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Use where full strength and dent resistance are needed and no further deep forming is required. | 275 | 315 | 11 | 95 HB | 48 % IACS |
What is 6181?
6181 is a heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si (6000 series) sheet alloy, supplied mainly in T4 for stamped automotive outer skin and structural panels, and developing its final strength during the paint-bake cycle. Compared with 6016 and 6111 it runs higher in silicon and magnesium, giving higher post-bake strength and dent resistance while keeping good formability and spot/laser weldability. Ductility drops sharply in T6, the high Si content makes decorative anodizing look grey, and hem/bend zones are sensitive to natural aging, so pre-aged T4P material is used for stability. 6181 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F). 6181 has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) — weaker than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 6181 used for?
- Automotive outer body sheet panels
- Door inner panels
- Hood and roof outer skins
- Hemmed closure panels
- Fenders and quarter panels
- Tailgate and deck-lid panels
- Structural body sheet reinforcements
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 25%, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 44 % IACS, better than 85% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 165 W/m·K (95.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
6181 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6181 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F).
Mechanical11
6181 has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) — weaker than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6181 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 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6181 conducts electricity at 44 % IACS, better than 85% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), better than 67% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6181 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
6181's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100); 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. 6181 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6181
Is 6181 easy to machine?
Machines easily with sharp polished-flute carbide tools and high speeds; T4 tends to smear so prefer T6/aged material or flood lubrication for fine finishes.
Can 6181 be welded?
Readily resistance-spot, laser and MIG/TIG welded with 4043 (crack resistance) or 5356 (strength/anodizing); HAZ softening means post-weld aging or joint design allowance is needed.
Can 6181 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent stretch/deep-draw behaviour in T4 or T4P (good r-value and n-value for outer panels); avoid forming in T6 and control natural-aging time to preserve bendability.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 6181. Every 6181 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better55 / 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 | Better80 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better75 / 100 |
6181 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 | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.45 | 0.25 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.15 | 0.07 |
| Mg | 0.6 – 1 | 0.8 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Others (each)others total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6181?
Takes conversion coating, e-coat and paint very well (its normal automotive route); protective anodizing is good, decorative bright anodizing gives a grey cast due to high Si.
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 6181 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A96181
- Aluminum Association
- AA6181
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-6181AW 6181
How much does 6181 cost?
6181 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 82% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
6181 — frequently asked
What is 6181 used for?
6181 is typically used for automotive outer body sheet panels, door inner panels, hood and roof outer skins, hemmed closure panels, fenders and quarter panels and tailgate and deck-lid panels. In short: auto body sheet alloy.
What is the yield strength of 6181?
6181 has a typical yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) — weaker than 73% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 6181 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades). Machines easily with sharp polished-flute carbide tools and high speeds; T4 tends to smear so prefer T6/aged material or flood lubrication for fine finishes.
Can 6181 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Readily resistance-spot, laser and MIG/TIG welded with 4043 (crack resistance) or 5356 (strength/anodizing); HAZ softening means post-weld aging or joint design allowance is needed.
What surface finishes work on 6181?
Takes conversion coating, e-coat and paint very well (its normal automotive route); protective anodizing is good, decorative bright anodizing gives a grey cast due to high Si.
Can 6181 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent stretch/deep-draw behaviour in T4 or T4P (good r-value and n-value for outer panels); avoid forming in T6 and control natural-aging time to preserve bendability.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6181?
6181 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 6181 cost?
6181 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), 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 6181?
Yes — 6181 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)
- EN 573-3 / EN 485-2 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys: chemical composition and mechanical properties of sheet, strip and plate — CEN (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B / Vol. 19 — Corrosion and Fatigue of Aluminum Alloys — ASM International (2005)
- Automotive body sheet AlMgSi (6000 series) product information — Constellium / Novelis / 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.