Aluminum 7116-T6511
Temper
AA 7116 · EN AlZn4.5Mg1Cu0.8
T6511 = t6, stress relieved by stretching, minor straightening
Peak-aged extrusion with stretch stress relief — pick it when tight straightness and low machining distortion are required.
Values for the T6511 condition
Other 7116 tempers and conditions
7116 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 7116.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition for severe cold forming or machining before re-heat-treatment. | 110 | 225 | 17 | 62 HB | 45 % IACS |
As fabricated | Mill state straight off the press, bought only for re-solutionising or further processing. | 200 | 300 | 16 | 85 HB | 32 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Formable intermediate state for bending or hydroforming before a final artificial age. | 225 | 345 | 18 | 95 HB | 31 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Overaged condition trading ~10 % strength for markedly better stress-corrosion and exfoliation resistance in chloride service. | 330 | 385 | 13 | 115 HB | 40 % IACS |
T5, stress relieved by compression | T5 with a compressive stress-relief pass for profiles that must stay straight after machining. | 350 | 395 | 12 | 118 HB | 35 % IACS |
T5Default Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | The standard commercial condition: press-quenched profiles aged directly, giving near-T6 strength without a separate solution furnace. | 355 | 400 | 12 | 120 HB | 35 % IACS |
T6511This page T6, stress relieved by stretching, minor straightening | Peak-aged extrusion with stretch stress relief — pick it when tight straightness and low machining distortion are required. | 385 | 430 | 11 | 130 HB | 33 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Highest-strength condition for separately solution-treated parts where maximum static load capacity matters. | 390 | 435 | 11 | 132 HB | 33 % IACS |
What is 7116-T6511?
7116-T6511 is 7116 in the T6511 temper — peak-aged extrusion with stretch stress relief — pick it when tight straightness and low machining distortion are required. 7116-T6511 has a yield strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) — stronger than 87% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). 7116-T6511 has a density of 2.8 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F). T5 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T6511 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 385 MPa (55.8 ksi), better than 87% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
7116-T6511 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 7116-T6511; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 7116 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
7116-T6511 has a density of 2.8 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F).
Mechanical15
7116-T6511 has a yield strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) — stronger than 87% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
7116-T6511 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 150 W/m·K (86.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 58% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
7116-T6511 conducts electricity at 33 % IACS, worse than 57% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 62% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 7116-T6511 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
7116-T6511's machinability is good (68/100, better than 67% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 7116-T6511
Is 7116 easy to machine?
Machines cleanly in T5/T6 with sharp polished-flute carbide, high surface speed and air/mist or flood coolant; chips are short and free of the gumminess of soft tempers.
Can 7116 be welded?
Copper content makes fusion welding hot-crack prone and drops HAZ strength sharply — prefer mechanical joining, riveting, adhesive bonding or FSW; if arc welded use 5356 filler and re-age where possible.
Can 7116 be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes well and press-quenches to T5; bend and hydroform in F/T4 with generous radii (≥3t in T5) since aged tempers have limited cold ductility.
What surface finishes work on 7116?
Takes clear and hard sulfuric anodizing, chromate/trivalent conversion coating and powder paint well; expect a grey-yellow anodic cast and avoid bright decorative anodize.
7116 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 | ≤ 0.15 | 0.07 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Custrengthening + SCC control | 0.5 – 1.1 | 0.8 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Mg | 0.8 – 1.4 | 1.1 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Zn | 4.2 – 5.2 | 4.7 |
| Tigrain refiner, max | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Albalance; limits per AA registration record for 7116 — verify against current Teal Sheets | balance | — |
7116-T6511 — frequently asked
What is 7116-T6511 used for?
7116-T6511 is typically used for structural extrusions, transport and trailer frames, riveted vehicle structures, bolted machine frames, load-bearing profiles and rails and machined structural fittings. In short: stronger than 7020 family; cu-bearing, not weldable; good machining in T6.
What is the yield strength of 7116-T6511?
7116-T6511 has a typical yield strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) — stronger than 87% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 7116-T6511 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 67% of aluminum grades). Machines cleanly in T5/T6 with sharp polished-flute carbide, high surface speed and air/mist or flood coolant; chips are short and free of the gumminess of soft tempers.
Can 7116-T6511 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Copper content makes fusion welding hot-crack prone and drops HAZ strength sharply — prefer mechanical joining, riveting, adhesive bonding or FSW; if arc welded use 5356 filler and re-age where possible.
What surface finishes work on 7116-T6511?
Takes clear and hard sulfuric anodizing, chromate/trivalent conversion coating and powder paint well; expect a grey-yellow anodic cast and avoid bright decorative anodize.
Can 7116-T6511 be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes well and press-quenches to T5; bend and hydroform in F/T4 with generous radii (≥3t in T5) since aged tempers have limited cold ductility.
What is the maximum service temperature of 7116-T6511?
7116-T6511 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 7116-T5 and 7116-O?
T5 is the default condition — the standard commercial condition: press-quenched profiles aged directly, giving near-T6 strength without a separate solution furnace. O: softest condition for severe cold forming or machining before re-heat-treatment. Yield strength is 355 MPa in T5 versus 110 MPa in O.
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)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B: Corrosion — Materials (aluminium alloys) — ASM International (2005)
- ASTM B221 — Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles and Tubes — ASTM International (2021)
- Al-Zn-Mg-Cu crash-management extrusion alloy datasheets (7016/7116 family) — Extrusion producers (2020)
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.