6061 is the least expensive and most versatile of the heat-treatable aluminum alloys. It has most of the good qualities of aluminum. It offers a range of good mechanical properties and good corrosion resistance. It can be fabricated by most of the commonly used techniques. In the annealed condition it has good workability. In the T4 condition fairly severe forming operations may be accomplished. The full T6 properties may be obtained by artificial aging. It is welded by all methods and can bemore
Unit of Measure

Specifications

Material

Aluminum

Shapeform

Round

Series

6061-T6

Grade

6061

Temper

T6

Diameter

3/8 inches

Diameter

0.375 inches9.525 mm

Estimated Weight

0.130 lbs/ft0.19346132 kg/m

Estimated Weight per 12' Bar

1.559 lbs0.7071505516 kg

ASTM Specification

AMS 4117 AMS-QQ-A-225/8 ASTM B211 UNS A96061

Density

0.098 lbs/in³

Specific Gravity

2.70

Typical Mechanical Properties

Ultimate Strength

45 ksi

Yield Strength

40 ksi

Elongation percent in 2 inches

17

Hardness Brinnel Number

95

Ultimate Shearing Strength

30 ksi
Fatigue Endurance Limit1 14 ksi
Modulus of Elasticity2 10.0 x 104 ksi

Comparative Characteristics and Applications

Resistance to Corrosion - General3 B
Stress Corrosion Cracking4 A
Workability (Cold)5 C

Mechinability

C
Brazeability6 A
Gas Weldability7 A
Arc Weldability8 A
Resistance Spot and Seam Weldability9 A

Applications

Heavy-duty structures requiring good corrosion resistance, truck and marine, railroad cars, furniture, pipelines

Aluminum Alloy Designations

N/A

    The aluminum industry uses a four-digit index system for the designation of its wrought aluminum alloys.
    As outlined below, the first digit indicates the alloy group according to the major alloying elements.

    1xxx Series
    In this group minimum aluminum content is 99% and there is no major alloying element. The second digit indicates modifications in impurity limits. If the second digit is zero, there is no special control on individual impurities. Digits 1 through 9, which are assigned consecutively as needed, indicate special control of one or more individual impurities. The last two digits indicate specific minimum aluminum content. Although the absolute minimum aluminum content in this group is 99%, the minimum for certain grades is higher than 99%, and the last two digits represent the hundredths of a per cent over 99. Thus, 1030 would indicate 99.30% minimum aluminum. without special control on individual impurities. The designations 1130, 1230, 1330, etc.. indicate the same purity with special control on one or more impurities. Likewise 1100 indicates minimum aluminum content of 99.00% with individual impurity control.

    2xxx through 9xxx Series
    The major alloying elements are indicated by the first digit, as follows:
      2xxx Copper
      3xxx Manganese
      4xxx Silicon
      5xxx Magnesium
      6xxx Magnesium and silicon
      7xxx Zinc
      8xxx Other element
      9xxx Unused series

    The second digit indicates alloy modification. If the second digit is zero. it indicates the original alloy: digits 1 through 9, which are assigned consecutively, indicate alloy modifications. The last two digits have no special significance, serving only to identify the different alloys in the group.

    Experimental Alloys
    Experimental alloys are designated according to the four digit system, but they are prefixed by the letter X. The prefix is dropped when the alloy becomes standard. During development, and before they are designated as experimental, new alloys are identified by serial numbers assigned by their originators. Use of the serial number is discontinued when the X number is assigned.

  • 1 Based on 500,000.000 cycles of completely reversed stress using the R. R. Moore-type of machine and specimen.
  • 2 Average of tension and compression moduli. Compression modulus is about 2 percent greater than tension modulus.
  • 3 Ratings A through E are relative ratings in decreasing order of merit, based on exposures to sodium chloride solution by intermittent spraying or immersion. Alloys with A and B ratings can be used in industrial and seacoast atmospheres without protection. Alloys with C, D and E ratings generally should be protected at least on faying surfaces.
  • 4 Stress-corrosion cracking ratings are based on service experience and on laboratory tests of specimens exposed to the 3.5% sodium chloride alternate immersion test.
  • 5 Ratings A through D for Workability (cold), and A through E for Machinability, are relative ratings in decreasing order of merit.
  • 6 Ratings A through D for Weldability and Brazeability are relative ratings.
  • 7 A = Generally weldable by all commercial procedures and methods.
    B = Weldable with special techniques or for specific applications that justify preliminary trials or testing to develop welding procedure and weld performance.
    C = Limited weldability because of crack sensitivity or loss in resistance to corrosion and mechanical properties.
  • 8 A = Generally weldable by all commercial procedures and methods.
    B = Weldable with special techniques or for specific applications that justify preliminary trials or testing to develop welding procedure and weld performance.
    C = Limited weldability because of crack sensitivity or loss in resistance to corrosion and mechanical properties.
  • 9 A = Generally weldable by all commercial procedures and methods.
    B = Weldable with special techniques or for specific applications that justify preliminary trials or testing to develop welding procedure and weld performance.
    C = Limited weldability because of crack sensitivity or loss in resistance to corrosion and mechanical properties.