Aluminum 6262
AA 6262 · UNS A96262 · EN AW-6262, AW 6262
6262 is a free-machining Al-Mg-Si-Cu bar alloy — essentially 6061 chemistry with about 0.5 % Pb and 0.5 % Bi added so chips break short on high-speed automatic lathes.
6262 tempers and conditions
6262 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard stocked condition for extruded/drawn free-machining bar and tube; 6061-T6-class strength with short-chip machining. | 275 | 310 | 12 | 95 HB | 44 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching, minor straightening | Extruded rod/bar/tube version of T651 with allowance for minor straightening — the usual extruded free-machining stock. | 275 | 310 | 10 | 95 HB | 44 % IACS |
T6, heat treated by the user | Free-machining Al-Mg-Si-Pb-Bi alloy re-solutionised from the O/F condition and artificially aged, giving T6-level strength with excellent chip-breaking machinability. | 365 | 395 | 10 | 120 HB | 44 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked and artificially aged | Pick when higher strength than T6 is required in cold-drawn rod/bar and some ductility loss is acceptable. | 365 | 395 | 10 | 118 HB | 44 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching | Choose for precision screw-machine bar where low residual stress and tight straightness/size are needed. | 370 | 400 | 10 | 120 HB | 44 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, artificially aged and cold worked | Highest-strength and best-machining condition for 6262 bar — the classic choice for automatic-lathe hydraulic and valve parts. | 380 | 400 | 10 | 120 HB | 44 % IACS |
What is 6262?
6262 is a free-machining Al-Mg-Si-Cu bar alloy — essentially 6061 chemistry with about 0.5 % Pb and 0.5 % Bi added so chips break short on high-speed automatic lathes. It is supplied as extruded and cold-drawn round and hex bar in T6, T651, T6511, T8 and T9, with cold-worked tempers reaching about 400 MPa, and it anodizes and resists corrosion clearly better than free-machining 2011. The Pb/Bi additions promote hot cracking in fusion welds and formability is only fair. Lead content is restricted by RoHS and drinking-water regulations, so lead-free free-machining grades are progressively replacing it; use 6061 where welding is required. 6262 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 582°C (1,080 °F). 6262 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 70% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 6262 used for?
- Hydraulic and pneumatic fittings
- Screw-machined valve bodies
- Camera bodies and optical housings
- Threaded inserts and fasteners
- Marine and instrument hardware
- High-volume turned connector shells
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 98% 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
6262 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6262 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 582°C (1,080 °F).
Mechanical11
6262 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 70% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6262 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
6262 conducts electricity at 44 % IACS, better than 85% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 71% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6262 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
6262's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 98% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (30/100); 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. 6262 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6262
Is 6262 easy to machine?
Excellent free-machining alloy — Pb/Bi break chips, allows high speeds, small feeds and fine surface finish with polished-flute carbide tooling; near-zero built-up edge.
Can 6262 be welded?
Not recommended for structural welding (Pb/Bi promote hot cracking and porosity); use mechanical joining or adhesive, or switch to 6061 where welding is required.
Can 6262 be formed, bent or molded?
Formability is limited in T6/T9 — bend generously or form in T4/annealed then age; cold heading and knurling are practical but avoid tight cold bends.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 6262. Every 6262 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent90 / 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 | Better30 / 100 |
6262 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 | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.7 | |
| Cu | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.27 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Mg | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Cr | 0.04 – 0.14 | 0.09 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Pbfree-machining addition; RoHS/drinking-water restricted | 0.4 – 0.7 | 0.55 |
| Bifree-machining addition | 0.4 – 0.7 | 0.55 |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6262?
Anodizes clear or coloured with fair-to-good cosmetics (possible grey speckle from Pb/Bi); chromate/Ti-Zr conversion coats and paint adhere well, hard anodizing is fair.
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 6262 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A96262
- Aluminum Association
- AA6262
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-6262AW 6262AlMg1SiPb
- Also called
- 6262A
How much does 6262 cost?
6262 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 81% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
6262 — frequently asked
What is 6262 used for?
6262 is typically used for hydraulic and pneumatic fittings, screw-machined valve bodies, camera bodies and optical housings, threaded inserts and fasteners, marine and instrument hardware and high-volume turned connector shells. In short: free-machining lead-free alloy.
What is the yield strength of 6262?
6262 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — stronger than 70% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 6262 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 98% of aluminum grades). Excellent free-machining alloy — Pb/Bi break chips, allows high speeds, small feeds and fine surface finish with polished-flute carbide tooling; near-zero built-up edge.
Can 6262 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Not recommended for structural welding (Pb/Bi promote hot cracking and porosity); use mechanical joining or adhesive, or switch to 6061 where welding is required.
What surface finishes work on 6262?
Anodizes clear or coloured with fair-to-good cosmetics (possible grey speckle from Pb/Bi); chromate/Ti-Zr conversion coats and paint adhere well, hard anodizing is fair.
Can 6262 be formed, bent or molded?
Formability is limited in T6/T9 — bend generously or form in T4/annealed then age; cold heading and knurling are practical but avoid tight cold bends.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6262?
6262 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 6262 cost?
6262 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), 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 6262?
Yes — 6262 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)
- ASTM B211 — Aluminum-Alloy Rolled or Cold-Finished Bar, Rod, and Wire — ASTM (2019)
- ASTM B221 — Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes — ASTM (2021)
- EN 573-3 / EN 755-2 — Wrought aluminium alloys, composition and mechanical properties of extruded bar — CEN (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Free-machining aluminium bar (6262) datasheets — Kaiser Aluminum / Alcoa distributor literature (2020)
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.