Aluminum 4006 · temper
Aluminum 4006-T4
Properties of the T4 condition, compared with the other 4006 tempers.
Non-standard temper for this essentially non-heat-treatable Al-1Si-0.6Fe alloy; T4 behaves close to a soft solution-quenched, naturally aged state with only marginal strengthening over O temper and very high ductility.
What is 4006-T4?
4006-T4 is 4006 in the T4 temper — non-standard temper for this essentially non-heat-treatable Al-1Si-0.6Fe alloy; T4 behaves close to a soft solution-quenched, naturally aged state with only marginal strengthening over O temper and very high ductility. 4006-T4 has a yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) — weaker than 94% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 4006-T4 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 625°C (1,157 °F).
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 9.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 97% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 28%, better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 200 W/m·K (115.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 82/100, better than 91% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 50 % IACS, better than 90% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 55 MPa (7.98 ksi), worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 32/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades
4006-T4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 4006-T4 — 36 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 4006 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
4006-T4 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 625°C (1,157 °F).
Mechanical10
4006-T4 has a yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) — weaker than 94% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
4006-T4 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 200 W/m·K (115.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.5 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
4006-T4 conducts electricity at 50 % IACS, better than 90% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), better than 57% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 4006-T4 takes about 155 MJ of energy and emits 9.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 94% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
4006-T4's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability very good (82/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 4006 tempers and conditions
4006 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 4006 overview.
- H14The most commonly stocked temper: strain hardened to half hard for a balance of strength and flatness, suited to blanked, lightly formed decorative strip that is anodised afterwards.125 MPa yield · 42 HB
- H24Choose for decorative strip: strain hardened then partially annealed to the same strength class as H14 but with 8% elongation, so bent or roll-formed parts resist cracking before anodising.105 MPa yield · 40 HB
- T4Non-standard temper for this essentially non-heat-treatable Al-1Si-0.6Fe alloy; T4 behaves close to a soft solution-quenched, naturally aged state with only marginal strengthening over O temper and very high ductility.55 MPa yield · 33 HB
- OPick the annealed temper for maximum formability (deep drawing, flanging) or when a dark, uniform grey anodised finish is wanted; strength is lowest at 45 MPa yield with 30% elongation.45 MPa yield · 28 HB
Working with 4006-T4
Is 4006 easy to machine?
Soft and sticky with a strong tendency to built-up edge; use sharp high-rake tools, high cutting speed and ample emulsion or alcohol-based coolant. Clear fine chips promptly so they do not scratch surfaces destined for anodizing.
Can 4006 be welded?
TIG and MIG weldable with ER4043 filler. Weld and HAZ soften noticeably in the H tempers, and the weld area anodizes to a different colour than the parent sheet.
Can 4006 be formed, bent or molded?
O and H24 suit roll bending, roll forming and shallow stamping; H16 and H18 need bend radii of at least 2–3 t. Protect the surface before and after forming to avoid tool marks.
What surface finishes work on 4006?
Sulfuric anodizing is the main route, giving a uniform light grey (silver-grey) tone that can be electrolytically coloured. Mechanical polish brightness is limited by the silicon phases and chemical brightening is only fair; painting and electrophoretic coating are also possible.
4006 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Simain alloying element; sets grey tone after anodizing | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Fe | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Mn | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Mg | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
4006-T4 — frequently asked
What is 4006-T4 used for?
4006-T4 is typically used for architectural decorative panels, appliance panels and facings, automotive trim strips, anodized cladding sheet, roll-formed profiles from strip and heat exchanger end caps. In short: casting and welding stock; good fluidity.
What is the yield strength of 4006-T4?
4006-T4 has a typical yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) — weaker than 94% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 4006-T4 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades). Soft and sticky with a strong tendency to built-up edge; use sharp high-rake tools, high cutting speed and ample emulsion or alcohol-based coolant. Clear fine chips promptly so they do not scratch surfaces destined for anodizing.
Can 4006-T4 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). TIG and MIG weldable with ER4043 filler. Weld and HAZ soften noticeably in the H tempers, and the weld area anodizes to a different colour than the parent sheet.
What surface finishes work on 4006-T4?
Sulfuric anodizing is the main route, giving a uniform light grey (silver-grey) tone that can be electrolytically coloured. Mechanical polish brightness is limited by the silicon phases and chemical brightening is only fair; painting and electrophoretic coating are also possible.
Can 4006-T4 be formed, bent or molded?
O and H24 suit roll bending, roll forming and shallow stamping; H16 and H18 need bend radii of at least 2–3 t. Protect the surface before and after forming to avoid tool marks.
What is the maximum service temperature of 4006-T4?
4006-T4 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 4006-T4?
Yes — 4006-T4 is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Chemical composition — CEN (2019)
- EN 485-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Sheet, strip and plate — Mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B: Corrosion — Materials — ASM International (2005)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.