Aluminum 6201
AA 6201 · UNS A96201 · EN AW-6201, AW 6201
6201 is a heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si (6000 series) conductor alloy (EN AW-6201, A96201) developed for overhead covered wire and all-aluminum alloy conductor (AAAC) strand, giving about 315–330 MPa tensile strength in T81 with not less than 52.5 % IACS conductivity.
6201 tempers and conditions
6201 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 | Pick for maximum ductility and conductivity when the wire must be bent, upset or re-drawn before ageing. | 75 | 145 | 22 | 40 HB | 57 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Intermediate condition used between solution treatment and drawing/ageing; moderate strength with useful ductility. | 125 | 220 | 18 | 62 HB | 43 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Choose when peak mechanical strength matters more than conductivity, e.g. structural fittings or non-conductor rod in this alloy. | 295 | 330 | 8 | 98 HB | 49 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked (drawn), artificially aged | The standard commercial condition for 6201 conductor wire: ≥315 MPa tensile with ≥52.5 % IACS, used in AAAC/ACAR stranded overhead conductors. | 310 | 330 | 4 | 100 HB | 53 % IACS |
What is 6201?
6201 is a heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si (6000 series) conductor alloy (EN AW-6201, A96201) developed for overhead covered wire and all-aluminum alloy conductor (AAAC) strand, giving about 315–330 MPa tensile strength in T81 with not less than 52.5 % IACS conductivity. That is roughly twice the strength of 1350 pure-aluminum wire, so tower loading and sag are reduced without a steel core, and corrosion resistance is good; usual forms are drawn wire and stranded conductor. Elongation in T81 is only about 3–6 %, and welding or sustained heating above about 150 °C anneals the temper away. Conductivity remains below 1350. 6201 has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F). 6201 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 78% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
What is 6201 used for?
- Overhead conductor strands
- All-aluminum alloy conductor (AAAC) cable
- Covered overhead distribution line wire
- Trolley wire
- Messenger and service-drop wire
- Substation jumper conductors
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 205 W/m·K (118.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 53 % IACS, better than 92% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 310 MPa (45 ksi), better than 78% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 68/100, better than 75% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 90°C (194 °F), worse than 93% of aluminum grades
6201 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6201 has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F).
Mechanical11
6201 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 78% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
Thermal6
6201 is rated for continuous service to 90°C (194 °F). It conducts heat at 205 W/m·K (118.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23 µm/m·K (12.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6201 conducts electricity at 53 % IACS, better than 92% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6201 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability6
6201's machinability is good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades); weldability good (62/100); formability poor (30/100).
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. 6201 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6201
Is 6201 easy to machine?
Machines like 6061-T6 — free-flowing chips with sharp carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; avoid the soft O temper where gumming occurs.
Can 6201 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with 4043 or 5356 filler is possible, but the T81 temper and the guaranteed 52.5 % IACS are lost in the heat-affected zone — conductor joints should be compression-spliced, not welded.
Can 6201 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot extruded then multi-pass cold drawn to size before ageing; T81 wire has only ~3–6 % elongation, so bend radii must be generous and stranding tension controlled.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 6201. Every 6201 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 | Better30 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair62 / 100 |
6201 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 | 0.5 – 0.9 | 0.7 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Cukept low for conductivity/corrosion | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Mg | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Bboron treatment ties up Ti/V to raise conductivity | ≤ 0.06 | 0.02 |
| Others (each)0.10 total | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6201?
Normally supplied bright/bare; chemical cleaning and light passivation are typical, anodizing works well if a decorative or insulating surface is needed, and bimetallic (Al/Cu) lugs must be used at copper terminations.
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 6201 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A96201
- Aluminum Association
- AA6201
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-6201AW 6201
How much does 6201 cost?
6201 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 81% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
6201 — frequently asked
What is 6201 used for?
6201 is typically used for overhead conductor strands, all-aluminum alloy conductor (AAAC) cable, covered overhead distribution line wire, trolley wire, messenger and service-drop wire and substation jumper conductors. In short: high-strength conductor wire.
What is the yield strength of 6201?
6201 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 78% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 6201 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades). Machines like 6061-T6 — free-flowing chips with sharp carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; avoid the soft O temper where gumming occurs.
Can 6201 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (62/100). GTAW/GMAW with 4043 or 5356 filler is possible, but the T81 temper and the guaranteed 52.5 % IACS are lost in the heat-affected zone — conductor joints should be compression-spliced, not welded.
What surface finishes work on 6201?
Normally supplied bright/bare; chemical cleaning and light passivation are typical, anodizing works well if a decorative or insulating surface is needed, and bimetallic (Al/Cu) lugs must be used at copper terminations.
Can 6201 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot extruded then multi-pass cold drawn to size before ageing; T81 wire has only ~3–6 % elongation, so bend radii must be generous and stranding tension controlled.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6201?
6201 is rated for continuous use to about 90°C (194 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 6201 cost?
6201 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), 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 6201?
Yes — 6201 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
- ASTM B398/B398M — Aluminum-Alloy 6201-T81 Wire for Electrical Purposes — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM B399/B399M — Concentric-Lay-Stranded 6201-T81 Aluminum Alloy Conductors — ASTM International (2019)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN 50183 — Conductors for overhead lines: Aluminium-magnesium-silicon alloy wires — CENELEC (2000)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.