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6000 Series Aluminum

The 6000 series is alloyed with magnesium and silicon, which form Mg₂Si and let it be heat-treated to medium strength (6061-T6: about 275 MPa yield) while keeping good corrosion resistance, weldability and machinability. It extrudes better than any other heat-treatable family, so it is what most aluminum profiles, tubes and bars are made of — and 6061 is the most-machined metal grade of any kind.

Popular 6000 series grades

Compare in the explorer
GradeYield, MPaTensile, MPaDensity, g/cm³MachinabilityWeldabilityBest for
60612763102.7Very goodExcellentThe default machined part; plate, bar, tube
60822653102.7GoodVery goodEN equivalent of 6061, slightly stronger
60632142412.7GoodExcellentArchitectural extrusions; best anodizing
60601702152.7GoodExcellentEN extrusion grade for frames and rails
62622753102.72ExcellentPoorFree-machining turned parts
61011952202.7GoodExcellentElectrical bus bar that also carries load
6005A2352752.7GoodExcellentStructural extrusions; better than 6063

All 55 6000 series grades

Choose the 6000 series for

Machined parts of every kind, extruded frames and profiles, welded structure that will not be re-heat-treated, anodized housings — the default when a drawing says "aluminum" and gives no reason to pick anything else.

Look elsewhere when

The design needs more than about 300 MPa yield (7075-T6 gives 500), the part flexes every cycle and fatigue governs (2024-T3), it must stay strong after welding (5083), or it is thin sheet bent tight (5052-H32 — 6061-T6 sheet cracks on tight bends).

Yield strength against elongation at break, 6000 series among every aluminum grade

No materials in view have both of these properties.

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6000 series by application

Everyday machined parts
6061-T6 (6061-T651 plate) unless there is a reason not to; 6082-T6 on EN drawings. Both hold ±0.05 mm routinely and anodize cleanly.
Extrusions and frames
6063-T5 and 6060-T66 for architectural and cosmetic profiles (finish and anodizing first), 6005A-T6 and 6082-T6 for structural profiles and rails where strength comes first.
High-volume turned parts
6262-T9 and 6020 for screw-machine work — the added bismuth / tin breaks the chip, and unlike 2011 they anodize and resist corrosion like 6061.
Electrical parts that carry load
6101-T6 and 6201 bus bar and conductor: about 55 % IACS with 6061-class strength, where 1350 would be too soft.

Working with the 6000 series

Machining
The fastest and cleanest metal we cut: 6061-T6 and 6082-T6 take high speeds, hold tight tolerances and leave a fine finish. Long thin walls move after heavy machining from plate — use T651 stress-relieved stock or rough, stress-relieve, then finish.
Welding
Welds readily by TIG or MIG with 4043 (or 5356 for anodized colour match), but the heat-affected zone over-ages and loses about 40 % of T6 strength. Design the joint at O-temper strength, or solution-treat and re-age (T6) after welding.
Forming
T6 sheet cracks below about 2.5 t inside radius. Bend in T4 (or O) and age to T6 afterwards, or specify 5052-H32 for bent sheet parts. Extrusions bend well in T4 / T5.
Finishing
The best anodizing base among the structural grades: clear, dyed, hardcoat (Type III) all come out uniform. 6063 is the cosmetic reference; 6061 shows a faint gray-green tint on thick clear coats. Chem-film, powder coat and paint all adhere well.

Other aluminum series

6000 Series Aluminum — frequently asked

What is 6000 series aluminum?

The 6000 series is alloyed with magnesium and silicon, which form Mg₂Si and let it be heat-treated to medium strength (6061-T6: about 275 MPa yield) while keeping good corrosion resistance, weldability and machinability. It extrudes better than any other heat-treatable family, so it is what most aluminum profiles, tubes and bars are made of — and 6061 is the most-machined metal grade of any kind.

Which grade of 6000 series aluminum should I use?

6061-T6 unless there is a reason not to: it is stocked in every form, machines fast, welds and anodizes cleanly. 6082-T6 is the European equivalent with slightly higher strength, specified on EN drawings. 6063-T5 and 6060 are the architectural extrusion grades — better surface finish and anodizing, lower strength — for frames, rails and housings. 6262-T9 and 6020 are free-machining for high-volume turned parts; 6101-T6 is the electrical bus-bar grade. Welded 6000-series alloy loses about 40 % of its T6 strength in the heat-affected zone; design the joint for the O-temper strength or re-age after welding.

Which grade of 6000 series aluminum is the strongest?

6069 has the highest yield strength in the series at 380 MPa; 6065 follows at 375 MPa. Values are for each grade's default condition.

Which grade of 6000 series aluminum is easiest to machine?

6012 (machinability excellent, 95/100), then 6026 (95/100).

Is 6000 series aluminum heat-treatable?

Yes. These grades gain their strength from heat treatment; the conditions and their properties are listed on each grade page.

6061 or 6082?

Same alloy family, different standards: 6082 is the EN grade with a little more manganese, about 10 % higher yield strength in T6 and better stress-corrosion behaviour in thick plate. 6061 is what North American stock and drawings use. They machine, weld and anodize the same way; specify the one your drawing standard uses.

What does the T6 in 6061-T6 mean?

Solution heat-treated and artificially aged — the peak-strength condition for a 6000 series grade (≈ 275 MPa yield for 6061). T651 adds a stress-relieving stretch, which is why plate is bought as T651; T4 is naturally aged and formable; O is fully annealed. The grade page for each alloy lists its conditions with properties.