Aluminum 6011 · temper
Aluminum 6011-T6
Properties of the T6 condition, compared with the other 6011 tempers.
Standard stocked condition: peak-aged bar/rod for machined structural parts needing 6xxx corrosion behaviour with near-2xxx strength.
What is 6011-T6?
6011-T6 is 6011 in the T6 temper — standard stocked condition: peak-aged bar/rod for machined structural parts needing 6xxx corrosion behaviour with near-2xxx strength. 6011-T6 has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 6011-T6 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
- Easy to machine — 82/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 330 MPa (47.9 ksi), better than 81% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 42 % IACS, better than 81% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 165 W/m·K (95.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), better than 76% of aluminum grades
6011-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6011-T6 — 13 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-T6 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-T6 has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6011-T6 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 165 W/m·K (95.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6011-T6 conducts electricity at 42 % IACS, better than 81% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 51% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6011-T6 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-T6's machinability is very good (82/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability fair (45/100).
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-T6
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-T6 — frequently asked
What is 6011-T6 used for?
6011-T6 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-T6?
6011-T6 has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 6011-T6 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (82/100, better than 94% 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-T6 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-T6?
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-T6 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-T6?
6011-T6 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 6011-T6?
Yes — 6011-T6 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.