Aluminum 6201 · temper
Aluminum 6201-O
Properties of the O condition, compared with the other 6201 tempers.
Pick for maximum ductility and conductivity when the wire must be bent, upset or re-drawn before ageing.
What is 6201-O?
6201-O is 6201 in the O temper — pick for maximum ductility and conductivity when the wire must be bent, upset or re-drawn before ageing. 6201-O has a yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) — weaker than 91% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi). 6201-O 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).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 220 W/m·K (127.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 94% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 57 % IACS, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 22%, better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 68/100, better than 75% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 75 MPa (10.9 ksi), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades
6201-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6201-O — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 6201 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
6201-O 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-O has a yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) — weaker than 91% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
Thermal6
6201-O is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 220 W/m·K (127.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 94% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23 µm/m·K (12.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6201-O conducts electricity at 57 % IACS, better than 94% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6201-O 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-O's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades); weldability good (62/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 6201 tempers and conditions
6201 is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 6201 overview.
- T81The standard commercial condition for 6201 conductor wire: ≥315 MPa tensile with ≥52.5 % IACS, used in AAAC/ACAR stranded overhead conductors.310 MPa yield · 100 HB
- T6Choose when peak mechanical strength matters more than conductivity, e.g. structural fittings or non-conductor rod in this alloy.295 MPa yield · 98 HB
- T4Intermediate condition used between solution treatment and drawing/ageing; moderate strength with useful ductility.125 MPa yield · 62 HB
- OPick for maximum ductility and conductivity when the wire must be bent, upset or re-drawn before ageing.75 MPa yield · 40 HB
Working with 6201-O
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.
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.
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 | — |
6201-O — frequently asked
What is 6201-O used for?
6201-O 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-O?
6201-O has a typical yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) — weaker than 91% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 6201-O easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 80% 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-O 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-O?
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-O 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-O?
6201-O 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 6201-O?
Yes — 6201-O is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.