Aluminum 6B02-T6
Temper · default condition
GB 6B02
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Default stocked condition: peak strength with good corrosion resistance for structural profiles and machined parts.
Values for the T6 condition
Other 6B02 tempers and conditions
6B02 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 6B02.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition for deep drawing, severe bending or re-forming before heat treatment. | 55 | 115 | 26 | 30 HB | 50 % IACS |
As fabricated | No property control; used for stock destined for further heat treatment or non-structural profiles. | 90 | 160 | 18 | 50 HB | 50 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Hot-worked plate/extrusions sold with guaranteed minimum strength but no solution treatment. | 95 | 165 | 16 | 52 HB | 49 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Choose when parts must be bent, drawn or roll-formed after heat treatment, then optionally aged to T6. | 115 | 205 | 20 | 62 HB | 40 % IACS |
Solution treated, stress relieved by stretching, no further… | Extruded profiles needing low residual stress before forming and final ageing. | 115 | 205 | 19 | 62 HB | 40 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Standard economical temper for architectural profiles: press-quenched and aged, moderate strength with excellent surface. | 190 | 230 | 10 | 78 HB | 46 % IACS |
T6DefaultThis page Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Default stocked condition: peak strength with good corrosion resistance for structural profiles and machined parts. | 235 | 270 | 12 | 95 HB | 43 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching | Plate temper for parts machined from thick stock where distortion from residual stress must be minimal. | 240 | 270 | 11 | 95 HB | 43 % IACS |
Solution treated, stretched, aged, no further straightening | Straight, low-stress extruded bar/profile for precision machining at full T6 strength. | 240 | 270 | 11 | 95 HB | 43 % IACS |
What is 6B02-T6?
6B02-T6 is 6B02 in the T6 temper — default stocked condition: peak strength with good corrosion resistance for structural profiles and machined parts. 6B02-T6 has a yield strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — stronger than 61% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 6B02-T6 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).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 43 % IACS, better than 83% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 170 W/m·K (98.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 82% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 68/100, better than 75% of aluminum grades
6B02-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6B02-T6; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 6B02 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6B02-T6 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).
Mechanical15
6B02-T6 has a yield strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — stronger than 61% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6B02-T6 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 170 W/m·K (98.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 82% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6B02-T6 conducts electricity at 43 % IACS, better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6B02-T6 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
6B02-T6's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 54% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability fair (40/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 6B02-T6
Is 6B02 easy to machine?
Machines cleanly in T5/T6 with polished-flute carbide tooling and high speeds; gummy and prone to built-up edge in O/T4 — use flood coolant or MQL.
Can 6B02 be welded?
Readily MIG/TIG welded with ER4043 (crack-resistant) or ER5356 (stronger/anodizable); HAZ drops to about T4 strength unless re-solutionized and re-aged.
Can 6B02 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot extrudability at 460–520 °C; bend and draw in O or T4 (min bend radius ≈1–2 t), avoid tight bends in T6 where radius should be ≥3 t.
What surface finishes work on 6B02?
Excellent clear, coloured and hard anodizing plus powder coating; use chromate-free conversion coating for paint adhesion, and avoid direct contact with steel/copper fasteners.
6B02 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 | 0.7 – 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Mg | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Mngrain-structure control | 0.1 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Cukept low vs 6A02/LD2 for corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.2 | 0.08 |
| Feimpurity | ≤ 0.45 | 0.25 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Znimpurity | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.15 | 0.02 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
6B02-T6 — frequently asked
What is 6B02-T6 used for?
6B02-T6 is typically used for extruded profiles, architectural sections and general fabrication. In short: extrusion-optimised LD2 variant; architectural profile grade; stress-relieved tempers available.
What is the yield strength of 6B02-T6?
6B02-T6 has a typical yield strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — stronger than 61% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 6B02-T6 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 54% of aluminum grades). Machines cleanly in T5/T6 with polished-flute carbide tooling and high speeds; gummy and prone to built-up edge in O/T4 — use flood coolant or MQL.
Can 6B02-T6 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Readily MIG/TIG welded with ER4043 (crack-resistant) or ER5356 (stronger/anodizable); HAZ drops to about T4 strength unless re-solutionized and re-aged.
What surface finishes work on 6B02-T6?
Excellent clear, coloured and hard anodizing plus powder coating; use chromate-free conversion coating for paint adhesion, and avoid direct contact with steel/copper fasteners.
Can 6B02-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot extrudability at 460–520 °C; bend and draw in O or T4 (min bend radius ≈1–2 t), avoid tight bends in T6 where radius should be ≥3 t.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6B02-T6?
6B02-T6 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 6B02-T6 and 6B02-O?
T6 is the default condition — default stocked condition: peak strength with good corrosion resistance for structural profiles and machined parts. O: softest condition for deep drawing, severe bending or re-forming before heat treatment. Yield strength is 235 MPa in T6 versus 55 MPa in O.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.