Aluminum MoldMAX Aluminum · temper
Aluminum MoldMAX Aluminum-T6
Properties of the T6 condition, compared with the other MoldMAX Aluminum tempers.
Peak-aged condition for bar, blocks and forged inserts where stretch stress-relief is not applicable; expect more machining distortion than T651.
What is MoldMAX Aluminum-T6?
MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 is MoldMAX Aluminum in the T6 temper — peak-aged condition for bar, blocks and forged inserts where stretch stress-relief is not applicable; expect more machining distortion than T651. MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 has a yield strength of 505 MPa (73.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — stronger than 96% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 71.7 GPa (10.4 Msi). MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 has a density of 2.81 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of aluminum grades. It melts at 477°C (891 °F).
Advantages
- High strength — 505 MPa (73.2 ksi), better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 18/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 38/100, worse than 79% of aluminum grades
MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every MoldMAX Aluminum temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 has a density of 2.81 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of aluminum grades. It melts at 477°C (891 °F).
Mechanical15
MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 has a yield strength of 505 MPa (73.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — stronger than 96% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 71.7 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 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 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 conducts electricity at 33 % IACS, worse than 57% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (38/100), worse than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
MoldMAX Aluminum-T6's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (18/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other MoldMAX Aluminum tempers and conditions
MoldMAX Aluminum is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the MoldMAX Aluminum overview.
- T6Peak-aged condition for bar, blocks and forged inserts where stretch stress-relief is not applicable; expect more machining distortion than T651.505 MPa yield · 150 HB
- T651Peak-strength, low-residual-stress plate temper — the normal choice when maximum hardness and dimensional stability after heavy machining are wanted.500 MPa yield · 152 HB
- STDDefault stock condition: peak-aged and stretch/stress-relieved thick plate, milled to flatness — pick it for general mould bases, cavities and fixtures.495 MPa yield · 150 HB
- T7451Overaged plate: about 12–15 % less strength but markedly better stress-corrosion resistance, toughness and thermal conductivity — pick for large tools, humid or water-cooled service.430 MPa yield · 135 HB
Working with MoldMAX Aluminum-T6
Is MoldMAX Aluminum easy to machine?
Excellent — polished-flute carbide, 300–1000 m/min, high feeds and copious coolant/MQL; chips are gummy-free but plan roughing/stress-relief order to limit distortion on thin cores.
Can MoldMAX Aluminum be welded?
Not recommended for structural or cavity joints (hot cracking, loss of temper); repair by TIG with 5356/4043 or by cold welding/laser cladding, then re-machine and accept local softening.
Can MoldMAX Aluminum be formed, bent or molded?
Essentially a machining stock — cold forming and tight-radius bending should be avoided; hot forming/forging only above ~350 °C followed by full re-heat treatment.
What surface finishes work on MoldMAX Aluminum?
Diamond-polish to a mould finish, then hard-anodize (Type III) or electroless nickel for wear/release; avoid caustic or chloride-bearing cleaners on bare surfaces.
MoldMAX Aluminum 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Znnominal Al-Zn-Mg-Cu (7075-type) mould-plate chemistry; branded exact analysis is proprietary | 5.1 – 6.1 | 5.6 |
| Mg | 2.1 – 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Cu | 1.2 – 2 | 1.6 |
| Crmay be replaced by Zr in 7050-type variants | 0.18 – 0.28 | 0.22 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.15 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.3 | 0.05 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.2 | 0.03 |
| Al | balance | — |
MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 — frequently asked
What is MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 used for?
MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 is typically used for injection mould cavities and cores, blow moulding tooling, vacuum and thermoforming moulds, foam and rotational moulds, prototype and bridge tooling and fixtures, jigs and mould base plates. In short: mid-grade mold plate.
What is the yield strength of MoldMAX Aluminum-T6?
MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 has a typical yield strength of 505 MPa (73.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — stronger than 96% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades). Excellent — polished-flute carbide, 300–1000 m/min, high feeds and copious coolant/MQL; chips are gummy-free but plan roughing/stress-relief order to limit distortion on thin cores.
Can MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (18/100). Not recommended for structural or cavity joints (hot cracking, loss of temper); repair by TIG with 5356/4043 or by cold welding/laser cladding, then re-machine and accept local softening.
What surface finishes work on MoldMAX Aluminum-T6?
Diamond-polish to a mould finish, then hard-anodize (Type III) or electroless nickel for wear/release; avoid caustic or chloride-bearing cleaners on bare surfaces.
Can MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Essentially a machining stock — cold forming and tight-radius bending should be avoided; hot forming/forging only above ~350 °C followed by full re-heat treatment.
What is the maximum service temperature of MoldMAX Aluminum-T6?
MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in MoldMAX Aluminum-T6?
Yes — MoldMAX Aluminum-T6 is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM B209 / B209M — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- Aluminum Association Teal Sheets — Alloy and Temper Designations — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- MMPDS-16 typical mechanical and fracture data, 7xxx plate — Battelle/FAA (2021)
- High-strength aluminium mould plate datasheets (7075/7050-type) — mould-plate producers (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion of Aluminum Alloys — ASM International (2005)
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.