Aluminum 6016 vs 6060
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 6016 and 6060 are both aluminum grades. 6060 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) against 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) for 6016, about 48% more. In exchange, 6016 is the more ductile: elongation 27% versus 12% for 6060, and 6060 is harder (75 HB vs 60 HB). 6060 runs hotter in service (150°C vs 100°C continuous) and 6060 conducts heat better (200 W/m·K vs 175 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 6060 welds better (excellent vs very good) and 6060 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 6016 (standard, $$).
6016Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
6060Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
6016 vs 6060: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all aluminum grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all aluminum grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 2.7 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 23.4 µm/m·K13 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Castability
Same in both: Machinability 55 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 6016 | 6060 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Default condition | T4 | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 0.8 µm |
| DLC | — | Yes |
Both are offered for Sheet metal. They share 15 finishes: Anodizing Type II, Cerakote, Chem Film (Alodine), E-Coating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE, Hard Anodizing Type III, Nickel Plating, PTFE Coating and 3 more.
6016 vs 6060 — frequently asked
Is 6060 stronger than 6016?
Yes. 6060 has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) against 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) for 6016 — about 48% more. Tensile strength is 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) vs 225 MPa (32.6 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 6016 or 6060?
6060 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 6016 is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which welds better, 6016 or 6060?
6060. Its weldability rates excellent (90/100) against very good (75/100) for 6016.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 6016 and 6060 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.