Aluminum A6061-RAM2-AB (As built (as printed))
Print state
JIS A6061-RAM2
Pick for prototypes or when the print can be used directly; fine cellular structure gives moderate strength with high residual stress.
Values for the AB condition
Other A6061-RAM2 tempers and conditions
A6061-RAM2 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at A6061-RAM2.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress relieved | Use when distortion control and dimensional stability matter more than strength, e.g. before EDM cut-off or thin-wall heat exchangers. | 165 | 240 | 12 | 65 HB | 45 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Choose when maximum ductility/toughness of a heat-treated print is wanted, or when parts will be straightened/formed before final aging. | 180 | 290 | 16 | 72 HB | 36 % IACS |
ABThis page As built (as printed) | Pick for prototypes or when the print can be used directly; fine cellular structure gives moderate strength with high residual stress. | 230 | 300 | 6 | 82 HB | 33 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Pick when quench distortion must be avoided on large or thin-wall prints; gives part of the T6 strength gain with no solution quench. | 280 | 325 | 7 | 95 HB | 38 % IACS |
hot isostatic pressed then solution treated and aged | Specify for fatigue- or pressure-critical parts: HIP closes residual gas porosity and raises ductility and fatigue life at similar static strength. | 315 | 360 | 13 | 102 HB | 41 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard supplied/qualified condition — highest strength with wrought-6061-T6-like properties; use for structural printed parts. | 330 | 370 | 9 | 105 HB | 40 % IACS |
What is A6061-RAM2-AB?
A6061-RAM2-AB is A6061-RAM2 in the AB condition — pick for prototypes or when the print can be used directly; fine cellular structure gives moderate strength with high residual stress. A6061-RAM2-AB has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — stronger than 60% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 73 GPa (10.6 Msi). A6061-RAM2-AB has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 582°C (1,080 °F). T6 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AB is available on request or by drawing note.
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 16 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 98% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
A6061-RAM2-AB properties
Typical room-temperature values for A6061-RAM2-AB; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are A6061-RAM2 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
A6061-RAM2-AB has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 582°C (1,080 °F).
Mechanical14
A6061-RAM2-AB has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — stronger than 60% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 73 GPa (10.6 Msi).
Thermal6
A6061-RAM2-AB is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 130 W/m·K (75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 65% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.2 µm/m·K (12.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A6061-RAM2-AB conducts electricity at 33 % IACS, worse than 57% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), better than 62% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A6061-RAM2-AB takes about 250 MJ of energy and emits 16 kg of CO₂ — more than 98% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability7
A6061-RAM2-AB's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability good (65/100); formability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with A6061-RAM2-AB
Is A6061-RAM2 easy to machine?
Machines much like 6061-T6 with sharp uncoated-carbide or polished-flute tools and flood coolant, but the hard nucleant/ceramic dispersoids are abrasive — expect shorter tool life than wrought 6061.
Can A6061-RAM2 be welded?
Weldable by TIG/laser with 4043 or 5356 filler; the nucleant addition strongly reduces the solidification-cracking tendency that limits plain 6061, though the HAZ still overages and needs re-solution + aging for full strength.
Can A6061-RAM2 be formed, bent or molded?
Print on a heated plate (≈150–200 °C) with a stress-relief cycle before build-plate removal; supports and thin walls should be designed for the T6 quench distortion, and only mild post-print straightening in T4 is advisable.
What surface finishes work on A6061-RAM2?
Bead-blast or machine the as-built skin before finishing; clear/hard anodize and chromate-free conversion coatings work but the dispersoids can give slight color mottling, so machine or polish cosmetic faces first.
A6061-RAM2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mg6061 base chemistry | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Si | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Cu | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.28 |
| Cr | 0.04 – 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Feimpurity, kept low in AM powder | ≤ 0.7 | 0.2 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| nucleant addition (Zr-based nanoparticleproprietary grain-refining / crack-suppressing additive; exact level and chemistry are supplier-controlled | 0.5 – 3 | 2 |
| Al | balance | — |
A6061-RAM2-AB — frequently asked
What is A6061-RAM2-AB used for?
A6061-RAM2-AB is typically used for general engineering AM parts, automotive brackets and thermal management components. In short: weldable printed 6061; best thermal conductivity in family; easiest-machining LPBF aluminum.
What is the yield strength of A6061-RAM2-AB?
A6061-RAM2-AB has a typical yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — stronger than 60% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is A6061-RAM2-AB easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades). Machines much like 6061-T6 with sharp uncoated-carbide or polished-flute tools and flood coolant, but the hard nucleant/ceramic dispersoids are abrasive — expect shorter tool life than wrought 6061.
Can A6061-RAM2-AB be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Weldable by TIG/laser with 4043 or 5356 filler; the nucleant addition strongly reduces the solidification-cracking tendency that limits plain 6061, though the HAZ still overages and needs re-solution + aging for full strength.
What surface finishes work on A6061-RAM2-AB?
Bead-blast or machine the as-built skin before finishing; clear/hard anodize and chromate-free conversion coatings work but the dispersoids can give slight color mottling, so machine or polish cosmetic faces first.
Can A6061-RAM2-AB be formed, bent or molded?
Print on a heated plate (≈150–200 °C) with a stress-relief cycle before build-plate removal; supports and thin walls should be designed for the T6 quench distortion, and only mild post-print straightening in T4 is advisable.
What is the maximum service temperature of A6061-RAM2-AB?
A6061-RAM2-AB 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 A6061-RAM2-T6 and A6061-RAM2-SR?
T6 is the default condition — standard supplied/qualified condition — highest strength with wrought-6061-T6-like properties; use for structural printed parts. SR: use when distortion control and dimensional stability matter more than strength, e.g. before EDM cut-off or thin-wall heat exchangers. Yield strength is 330 MPa in T6 versus 165 MPa in SR.
Sources
- A6061-RAM2 aluminium AM powder technical data — Elementum 3D (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys (6061 data) — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum Standards and Data / Teal Sheets — alloy 6061 registration — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B: Corrosion — Aluminium alloys — ASM International (2005)
- Peer-reviewed LPBF nanoparticle-functionalized 6061 mechanical property studies (HRL/academic) — journal literature compilation (2022)
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.