Aluminum 6205
AA 6205 · UNS A96205
6205 is a heat-treatable 6000 series Al-Mg-Si extrusion alloy (UNS A96205) with tighter manganese control than 6061 and 6063, which supports higher strength in thin-wall sections.
Reference datasheet — 6205 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the T5 condition
6205 tempers and conditions
6205 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. T5 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum formability (bending, tube necking, deep drawing) before re-solution treating and aging. | 55 | 115 | 28 | 30 HB | 50 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Use when tubes must be mitred, bent or hydroformed after heat treatment and then artificially aged to T6. | 130 | 240 | 22 | 62 HB | 41 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and naturally aged | Lowest-cost as-extruded condition; use when moderate strength plus some remaining bendability is enough. | 152 | 262 | 19 | 65 HB | 42 % IACS |
T5Default Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Standard stocked extrusion temper: near-T6 strength without a separate solution treatment, so straight thin-wall tube stays dimensionally stable. | 290 | 310 | 11 | 95 HB | 44 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Highest-strength condition, used for butted bicycle frame tubing and structural parts that are welded then re-heat-treated. | 300 | 330 | 12 | 100 HB | 43 % IACS |
What is 6205?
6205 is a heat-treatable 6000 series Al-Mg-Si extrusion alloy (UNS A96205) with tighter manganese control than 6061 and 6063, which supports higher strength in thin-wall sections. It is chosen for drawn and extruded tube in bicycle frames and sporting goods, reaching 290 MPa yield, 310 MPa tensile, 11% elongation and 95 HB with 172 W/m·K and 44% IACS in the aged tempers; O, T1, T4, T5 and T6 are on file. Service is limited to about 150 °C, formability in T5/T6 is low, and welding leaves the heat-affected zone near T4 strength unless the part is re-solution treated and aged. 6061-T6 is the more widely stocked substitute. 6205 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F). 6205 has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 74% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 6205 used for?
- bicycle frame tubing
- sporting goods
- structural extrusions
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 44 % IACS, better than 85% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 172 W/m·K (99.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 68/100, better than 75% of aluminum grades
6205 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6205-T5; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6205 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F).
Mechanical12
6205 has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 74% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6205 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 172 W/m·K (99.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6205 conducts electricity at 44 % IACS, better than 85% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6205 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
6205's machinability is fair (52/100, worse than 63% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability fair (40/100).
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. 6205 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6205
Is 6205 easy to machine?
Machines like 6061-T6 in T5/T6: sharp polished-flute carbide tools, high surface speed and flood/mist coolant to stop built-up edge; gummy and burr-prone in O/T4.
Can 6205 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 4043 (or 5356 for anodized colour match); HAZ drops to roughly T4-level strength unless the part is re-solution-treated and aged.
Can 6205 be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes well in thin, complex thin-wall sections; bend and butt tubes in O or T4 and age afterwards — cold bending in T5/T6 needs generous radii to avoid cracking.
6205 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 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.7 | 0.25 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Mntight Mn limit aids extrudability/anodizing | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Mg | 0.4 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Cr | 0.05 – 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Zrgrain-structure control, distinguishing addition | 0.05 – 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | 0.02 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6205?
Excellent clear and colour anodizing with clean thin-wall surfaces; also takes chromate/chrome-free conversion coating, powder coat and mechanical polish.
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).
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 6205 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A96205
How much does 6205 cost?
6205 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
6205 — frequently asked
What is 6205 used for?
6205 is typically used for bicycle frame tubing, sporting goods and structural extrusions. In short: higher-strength 6000-series tube alloy; thin-wall extrusion grade; clean anodizing surface.
What is the yield strength of 6205?
6205 has a typical yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 74% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 6205 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, worse than 63% of aluminum grades). Machines like 6061-T6 in T5/T6: sharp polished-flute carbide tools, high surface speed and flood/mist coolant to stop built-up edge; gummy and burr-prone in O/T4.
Can 6205 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 4043 (or 5356 for anodized colour match); HAZ drops to roughly T4-level strength unless the part is re-solution-treated and aged.
What surface finishes work on 6205?
Excellent clear and colour anodizing with clean thin-wall surfaces; also takes chromate/chrome-free conversion coating, powder coat and mechanical polish.
Can 6205 be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes well in thin, complex thin-wall sections; bend and butt tubes in O or T4 and age afterwards — cold bending in T5/T6 needs generous radii to avoid cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6205?
6205 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.
What is the difference between 6205-T5 and 6205-O?
T5 is the default condition — standard stocked extrusion temper: near-T6 strength without a separate solution treatment, so straight thin-wall tube stays dimensionally stable. O: pick for maximum formability (bending, tube necking, deep drawing) before re-solution treating and aging. Yield strength is 290 MPa in T5 versus 55 MPa in O.
How much does 6205 cost?
6205 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
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 B221 — Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes — ASTM International (2021)
- Aluminum Standards and Data — The Aluminum Association (2017)
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.