Aluminum 6061 vs 6082
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 6061 and 6082 are both aluminum grades. Both yield at about 276 MPa — strength does not separate them. 6061 is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 10% for 6082, and 6061 is harder (107 HV vs 100 HV). 6061 runs hotter in service (170°C vs 150°C continuous). On the shop floor, 6061 welds better (excellent vs very good) and 6061 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 6082 (standard, $$).
6061Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
6061 vs 6082: 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
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 26 GPa3.8 Msi · Bulk Modulus 69 GPa10 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 310 MPa45 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 29 MPa·√m26.4 ksi·√in · Hardness, Brinell 95 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 60 HRB
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
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.83 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 12.5 kg CO₂/kg
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 115 kN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 32
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 | 6061 | 6082 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | T6 | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 0.8 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 16 finishes: Anodizing Type II, Cerakote, Chem Film (Alodine), DLC, E-Coating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE, Hard Anodizing Type III, Nickel Plating and 4 more.
6061 vs 6082 — frequently asked
What is the difference between 6061 and 6082?
Aluminum 6061 and 6082 are both aluminum grades. Both yield at about 276 MPa — strength does not separate them. 6061 is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 10% for 6082, and 6061 is harder (107 HV vs 100 HV).
Which is cheaper, 6061 or 6082?
6061 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 6082 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 is easier to machine, 6061 or 6082?
6061. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against good (62/100) for 6082; for welding the order is 6061 first (excellent, 85/100) then 6082 (very good, 75/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 6061 and 6082 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.