Aluminum 6A02
GB 6A02
6A02 (LD2) is a heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy from the GB grade system, filling a role close to 6061 in structural and machined work.
Reference datasheet — 6A02 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 T6 condition
6A02 tempers and conditions
6A02 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. T6 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 the softest, most ductile state for deep cold forming and bending, or as intermediate stock before re-heat-treatment; strength is limited to 60 MPa yield / 125 MPa tensile. | 60 | 125 | 25 | 32 HB | 49 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Choose solution heat treated and naturally aged stock when 20% elongation must accompany 215 MPa tensile, for parts formed first and then artificially aged to full strength. | 120 | 215 | 20 | 65 HB | 40 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Use profiles cooled from hot working and artificially aged for low-cost, low-distortion extrusions at 215 MPa yield, where only moderate strength is required. | 215 | 270 | 12 | 82 HB | 45 % IACS |
T6, heat treated by the user | Choose when O- or F-temper blanks are solution treated and artificially aged by the user after forming or forging, giving T6-level 245 MPa yield and 315 MPa tensile in the finished part. | 245 | 315 | 12 | 93 HB | 43 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Pick the most commonly stocked state for peak strength (250 MPa yield, 320 MPa tensile) and good machinability in extruded bar, profiles and die-forged structural parts after solution treatment and artificial ageing. | 250 | 320 | 12 | 95 HB | 43 % IACS |
What is 6A02?
6A02 (LD2) is a heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy from the GB grade system, filling a role close to 6061 in structural and machined work. In T6 it gives 250 MPa yield, 320 MPa tensile, 12% elongation and 95 HB with 165 W/m·K and 43% IACS, and is supplied in O, T4, T5, T6 and T62 as bar, rod, pipe, forgings and extruded sections. It welds by TIG/MIG, but the heat-affected zone softens noticeably, corrosion resistance is only moderate for a 6000-series alloy because of the copper, and maximum service temperature is about 150 °C. 6061-T6 is the closest widely stocked equivalent. 6A02 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). 6A02 has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — stronger than 65% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is 6A02 used for?
- structural parts
- machined fittings
- pipes and rods
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 43 % IACS, better than 83% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 82% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 165 W/m·K (95.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of aluminum grades
6A02 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6A02-T6; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6A02 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).
Mechanical16
6A02 has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — stronger than 65% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
6A02 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °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
6A02 conducts electricity at 43 % IACS, better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), better than 57% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6A02 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
6A02's machinability is good (62/100, better than 55% 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. 6A02 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6A02
Is 6A02 easy to machine?
Cuts well in T6 with sharp, high-rake tooling, high spindle speed and ample coolant or lubricant to prevent adhesion and built-up edge. The annealed condition smears and gives poor surface finish.
Can 6A02 be welded?
TIG and MIG welding are practical with ER4043 (Si-based) or ER5356 (Mg-based) filler. Heat-affected-zone strength drops clearly, so load-bearing weldments should be re-solution treated and aged after welding.
Can 6A02 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot workability is good, suiting die forging and extrusion of complex sections. Carry out cold forming in O or T4; in T6 increase bend radii to avoid cracking.
6A02 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 – 1.2 | 0.85 |
| Mg | 0.45 – 0.9 | 0.68 |
| Cu | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| MnMn+Cr sum or either held to 0.15–0.35 per standard | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Crcan substitute for part of the Mn | ≤ 0.35 | |
| Feimpurity | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Znimpurity | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Others (each)each other element | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total)total of other elements | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6A02?
Responds well to conventional and hard anodizing with uniform films; conversion coating, painting and polishing also work. The copper content shifts decorative anodized colour slightly grey.
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 6A02 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- GB (China)
- LD2
How much does 6A02 cost?
6A02 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
6A02 — frequently asked
What is 6A02 used for?
6A02 is typically used for structural parts, machined fittings and pipes and rods. In short: 6061-class GB grade; copper-bearing 6000-series alloy; good hard-anodizing response.
What is the yield strength of 6A02?
6A02 has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — stronger than 65% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 6A02 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades). Cuts well in T6 with sharp, high-rake tooling, high spindle speed and ample coolant or lubricant to prevent adhesion and built-up edge. The annealed condition smears and gives poor surface finish.
Can 6A02 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). TIG and MIG welding are practical with ER4043 (Si-based) or ER5356 (Mg-based) filler. Heat-affected-zone strength drops clearly, so load-bearing weldments should be re-solution treated and aged after welding.
What surface finishes work on 6A02?
Responds well to conventional and hard anodizing with uniform films; conversion coating, painting and polishing also work. The copper content shifts decorative anodized colour slightly grey.
Can 6A02 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot workability is good, suiting die forging and extrusion of complex sections. Carry out cold forming in O or T4; in T6 increase bend radii to avoid cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6A02?
6A02 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 6A02-T6 and 6A02-O?
T6 is the default condition — pick the most commonly stocked state for peak strength (250 MPa yield, 320 MPa tensile) and good machinability in extruded bar, profiles and die-forged structural parts after solution treatment and artificial ageing. O: pick the softest, most ductile state for deep cold forming and bending, or as intermediate stock before re-heat-treatment; strength is limited to 60 MPa yield / 125 MPa tensile. Yield strength is 250 MPa in T6 versus 60 MPa in O.
How much does 6A02 cost?
6A02 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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
- 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.