Aluminium 6061 is an alloy made of aluminium, magnesium, and silicon. 6061 Alloy is one of the most popular alloys used in the aircraft and automotive industries due to its versatility and strength. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the features and benefits of T6 that make it such a sought-after material for manufacturing.
6061 Alloy Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Aluminium / Aluminum, Al | 97.9 |
| Magnesium, Mg | 1 |
| Silicon, Si | 0.60 |
| Copper, Cu | 0.28 |
| Chromium, Cr | 0.20 |
6061 Alloy Physical Properties
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 2.7 g/cm3 | 0.0975 lb/in3 |
| Melting point | 588°C | 1090°F |
6061 Alloy Mechanical Properties
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 310 MPa | 45000 psi |
| Yield strength | 276 MPa | 40000 psi |
| Shear strength | 207 MPa | 30000 psi |
| Fatigue strength | 96.5 MPa | 14000 psi |
| Elastic modulus | 68.9 GPa | 10000 ksi |
| Poisson’s ratio | 0.33 | 0.33 |
| Elongation | 12-17% | 12-17% |
| Hardness, Brinell | 95 | 95 |
6061 Alloy Thermal Properties
| Properties | Conditions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| T (ºC) | Treatment | ||
| Thermal expansion co-efficient | 23.2 (10-6/ºC) | 20-100 | – |
| Thermal conductivity | 167 W/mK | 25 | – |
6061 Alloy Equivalent
| AMS 4117 | ASTM B247 | ASTM B429 | DIN 3.3211 | MIL G-18014 | QQ A-200/8 |
| ASTM B209 | ASTM B307 | ASTM B483 | MIL A-12545 | MIL G-18015 | QQ A-225/8 |
| ASTM B210 | ASTM B313 | ASTM B547 | MIL A-22771 | MIL P-25995 | QQ A-250/11 |
| ASTM B211 | ASTM B316 | ASTM B548 | MIL F-17132A | MIL T-7081 | QQ A-367 |
| ASTM B221 | ASTM B345 | ASTM B632 | MIL F-18280 | MIL W-23351 | QQ A-430 |
| ASTM B234 | ASTM B361 | ASTM F467 | MIL F-39000 | MIL W-85 | QQ WW-T-700/6 |
| ASTM B241 | ASTM B404 | ASTM F468 | MIL F-3922 | QQ A-200/16 | SAE J454 |
6061 Alloy Uses
Aluminium 6061 is an alloy that is commonly used in a variety of industrial applications. It offers excellent machinability, weldability and corrosion resistance, making it a preferred choice in many industries, including aerospace, transportation, construction and marine engineering. As a strong and lightweight material, aluminium 6061 can be used for intricate components for manufacturing purposes and in forming complicated shapes for machinery and equipment. It also has the ability to withstand temperatures just above 200 degrees Celsius which allows its use in exposed positions such as engine manifolds or when parts are subjected to high heat. Its superior strength makes it ideal for creating products that handle heavy loads, such as load-bearing structures in bridges or platforms. All these uses show aluminium 6061 is one of the most versatile materials available to engineers today.
Corrosion Resistance
Aluminum 6061 offers excellent corrosion resistance, making it a great choice for applications that face exposure to harsh environments or chemicals. It can be treated with coatings or anodizing to further increase its corrosion resistance if needed.
Heat Resistance
Aluminum 6061 also has good heat resistance properties, making it suitable for applications that require high temperatures. Its heat-resistant properties make it a great choice for aerospace applications where extreme temperatures can be encountered during flight.
Heat Treatment
Aluminium 6061 can easily be heat treated to achieve different levels of hardness and strength depending on the application’s needs. This makes it highly versatile and applicable to many different uses. For example, it can be strengthened through ageing or tempered to increase its toughness while retaining its formability.
Machining
Another benefit of aluminium 6061 is that it is relatively easy to machine and fabricate compared to other metals such as steel or titanium. This makes it ideal for applications where complex shapes need to be created, or parts must fit together precisely without significant waste material produced during machining.
Welding
Finally, aluminium 6061 can also be readily welded using any common welding technique, including gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) or gas metal arc welding (GMAW). While there are some precautions you must take when welding aluminium, such as preheating the material before welding starts, this alloy forms strong welds with great ductility when proper techniques are employed.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, aluminium 6061 is a versatile alloy with many desirable properties, including excellent corrosion resistance, heat resistance, machinability, and weldability – making it perfect for aircraft, automobiles & other industrial components requiring high strength with lightweight components! All these qualities make aluminium6061 one of the most popular materials in manufacturing today! Whether your project requires corrosion resistance or lightweight components with superior strength – aluminum6061 has you covered! Try out this incredible alloy today and experience all it offers!
A passionate metal industry expert and blogger. With over 5 years of experience in the field, Palak brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to her writing. Whether discussing the latest trends in the metal industry or sharing tips, she is dedicated to helping others succeed in the metal industry.
