6061 Aluminum T6 Material Properties: Quick Overview
6061-T6 aluminum, a heat-treated and artificially aged alloy, is renowned for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and versatile applications across industries. This high-performance material exhibits an ultimate tensile strength of approximately 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a yield strength of 276 MPa (40 ksi), surpassing certain stainless steel variants in mechanical properties.Key 6061 Aluminum T6 Material Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 310 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 276 MPa |
| Density | 2.7 g/cm³ |
| Heat Treatment Temperature | 527°C |
Heat Treatment and Aging Process
The heat treatment process for 6061-T6 aluminum involves solution heat treatment, quenching, and artificial aging. Solution heat treatment is performed at approximately 980°F (527°C) for about an hour to dissolve alloying elements into solid solution. The material is then rapidly quenched in water to prevent precipitation during cooling.Artificial aging follows, typically at 350°F (177°C) for 8 hours, forming ordered arrays of atoms called GP zones that significantly strengthen the alloy. This process can increase hardness by 65%, ultimate stress by 23%, yield strength by 25%, and fatigue strength by 12%2. The T6 temper designation indicates that the alloy has undergone this full heat treatment cycle, resulting in optimal mechanical properties for structural applications.
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•Key heat treatment parameters:
- Solution treatment: 980°F (527°C) for 1 hour
- Quenching: Rapid cooling in water
- Artificial aging: 350°F (177°C) for 8 hours
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•Resulting property improvements:
- Hardness: +65%
- Ultimate tensile strength: +23%
- Yield strength: +25%
- Fatigue strength: +12%
Strength-to-Weight Ratio Advantages
6061-T6 aluminum's exceptional strength-to-weight ratio makes it a preferred material in aerospace, automotive, and structural applications. With a density of 2.7 g/cc (0.0975 lb/in³), it offers significant weight savings compared to steel while maintaining high strength.
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•Key advantages:
- Lightweight: 1/3 the density of steel
- High specific strength: 276 MPa 2.7 g/cm3 ≈ 102 kN·m·kg
- Enables fuel efficiency in vehicles and aircraft
- Facilitates design of large, lightweight structures
Corrosion Resistance in Lightweight Design
6061-T6 aluminum alloy exhibits exceptional corrosion resistance, making it ideal for lightweight structural applications in corrosive environments. The alloy forms a protective oxide layer on its surface, which reacts with atmospheric oxygen to create an impermeable barrier. This self-passivation mechanism provides excellent resistance to atmospheric corrosion, even in harsh marine environments.-
•Corrosion resistance features:
- Protective oxide layer thickness: 5-20 nm (natural), 1-3 μm (chemical treatment), 3-30 μm (anodized)
- Resistant to stress corrosion cracking (SCC)
- Corrosion current in chloride environments: 0.012 μA·cm⁻²
- 8-day corrosion rate in atmospheric environments: 0.031 mm·a⁻¹
Thermophysical Characteristics
6061-T6 aluminum exhibits a unique combination of physical properties that contribute to its widespread use in engineering applications. The alloy has a density of 2.7 g/cm³, which is significantly lower than steel, contributing to its high strength-to-weight ratio. Its thermal conductivity is approximately 167 W/m-K at room temperature, making it an excellent heat dissipator. The material's coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is 23.6 μm/m-°C in the 20-100°C range, which is relatively high compared to other structural materials.-
•Key physical properties:
- Melting range: 582 − 652°C (solidus to liquidus)
- Specific heat capacity: 897 J kg K
- Electrical resistivity: 3.99 × 10−6 cm
- Poisson's ratio: 0.33
- Modulus of elasticity: 68.9 GPa
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