Aluminum 6011 · temper
Aluminum 6011-T4
Properties of the T4 condition, compared with the other 6011 tempers.
Use when parts must be bent, formed or headed after supply and then allowed to age (or artificially aged) to final strength.
What is 6011-T4?
6011-T4 is 6011 in the T4 temper — use when parts must be bent, formed or headed after supply and then allowed to age (or artificially aged) to final strength. 6011-T4 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 57% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 6011-T4 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F).
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 20%, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 65/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), better than 76% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
6011-T4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6011-T4 — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 6011 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
6011-T4 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F).
Mechanical11
6011-T4 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 57% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6011-T4 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 155 W/m·K (89.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 71% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6011-T4 conducts electricity at 39 % IACS, better than 65% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 51% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6011-T4 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
6011-T4's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability good (65/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 6011 tempers and conditions
6011 is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 6011 overview.
- T8Highest-strength and best chip-breaking condition for cold-drawn screw-machine bar; ductility and formability are minimal.370 MPa yield · 120 HB
- T6Standard stocked condition: peak-aged bar/rod for machined structural parts needing 6xxx corrosion behaviour with near-2xxx strength.330 MPa yield · 110 HB
- T4Use when parts must be bent, formed or headed after supply and then allowed to age (or artificially aged) to final strength.170 MPa yield · 80 HB
- OPick for maximum cold formability or before re-heat-treatment; strength is low and the alloy gums when machined.70 MPa yield · 40 HB
Working with 6011-T4
Is 6011 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour in T6/T8 — high speeds, sharp positive-rake tools and light-mist or dry cutting give clean, short chips and good thread finish.
Can 6011 be welded?
Fusion welding is only fair: the Cu content makes it hot-crack sensitive, so use 4043/4145 filler, minimize heat input, and expect HAZ softening (re-age if strength is critical); mechanical fastening or friction welding is preferred.
Can 6011 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or T4 with generous bend radii; T6/T8 bar has limited bendability and should be machined rather than formed.
What surface finishes work on 6011?
Hard/sulfuric anodizing and chromate/paint systems work well for protection, but Cu and Zn give cloudy, off-colour clear anodic films — specify dyed black or hardcoat, or plate (electroless Ni) for cosmetic parts.
6011 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Si | 0.6 – 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Fehigh Fe tolerance permits scrap-based melt | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Curaises strength, lowers corrosion resistance | 0.4 – 0.9 | 0.65 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.8 | 0.3 |
| Mg | 0.6 – 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 1.5 | 0.5 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
6011-T4 — frequently asked
What is 6011-T4 used for?
6011-T4 is typically used for screw-machine fittings, valve bodies, machined fasteners and studs, hydraulic and pneumatic adapters, automotive trim and body panels. In short: auto sheet alloy.
What is the yield strength of 6011-T4?
6011-T4 has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 57% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 6011-T4 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour in T6/T8 — high speeds, sharp positive-rake tools and light-mist or dry cutting give clean, short chips and good thread finish.
Can 6011-T4 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Fusion welding is only fair: the Cu content makes it hot-crack sensitive, so use 4043/4145 filler, minimize heat input, and expect HAZ softening (re-age if strength is critical); mechanical fastening or friction welding is preferred.
What surface finishes work on 6011-T4?
Hard/sulfuric anodizing and chromate/paint systems work well for protection, but Cu and Zn give cloudy, off-colour clear anodic films — specify dyed black or hardcoat, or plate (electroless Ni) for cosmetic parts.
Can 6011-T4 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or T4 with generous bend radii; T6/T8 bar has limited bendability and should be machined rather than formed.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6011-T4?
6011-T4 is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 6011-T4?
Yes — 6011-T4 is available for CNC machining and 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)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B: Corrosion — Materials — ASM International (2005)
- MatWeb aluminium 6011 alloy data pages — MatWeb LLC (2024)
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.