Aluminum 6060 · temper
Aluminum 6060-T51
Properties of the T51 condition, compared with the other 6060 tempers.
Press-quenched-in-still-air, artificially aged extrusion temper giving slightly lower strength than forced-air T5, used for thin architectural 6060 profiles with excellent anodizing.
What is 6060-T51?
6060-T51 is 6060 in the T51 temper — press-quenched-in-still-air, artificially aged extrusion temper giving slightly lower strength than forced-air T5, used for thin architectural 6060 profiles with excellent anodizing. 6060-T51 has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) — weaker than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 6060-T51 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 60% of aluminum grades. It melts at 615°C (1,139 °F).
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 55 % IACS, better than 93% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 205 W/m·K (118.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 72/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 83% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 68/100, better than 81% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 110 MPa (16 ksi), worse than 81% of aluminum grades
6060-T51 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6060-T51 — 35 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 6060 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
6060-T51 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 60% of aluminum grades. It melts at 615°C (1,139 °F).
Mechanical12
6060-T51 has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) — weaker than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6060-T51 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 205 W/m·K (118.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6060-T51 conducts electricity at 55 % IACS, better than 93% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6060-T51 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
6060-T51's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability good (68/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 6060 tempers and conditions
6060 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 6060 overview.
- T66Highest-strength 6060 temper (special ageing/process control) for load-bearing window and curtain-wall profiles.185 MPa yield · 80 HB
- T6The default stocked temper: full precipitation strength for structural profiles, frames and machined parts.170 MPa yield · 75 HB
- T64Under-aged temper for profiles that must be bent, roll-formed or bright-anodized while keeping useful strength.140 MPa yield · 62 HB
- T5Standard economical press-quenched profile temper: good straightness and surface, moderate strength, still bendable.135 MPa yield · 65 HB
- T51Press-quenched-in-still-air, artificially aged extrusion temper giving slightly lower strength than forced-air T5, used for thin architectural 6060 profiles with excellent anodizing.110 MPa yield · 50 HB
- T4Choose for parts that are bent, roll-formed or riveted after supply and then artificially aged (T4 → T6) for final strength.75 MPa yield · 50 HB
Working with 6060-T51
Is 6060 easy to machine?
Machines easily but gummy in soft tempers — use polished-flute, high-rake carbide tools, 300–1000 m/min, generous flood or MQL to avoid built-up edge; machine in T5/T6 for best finish.
Can 6060 be welded?
Very good with GMAW/GTAW (ER4043 for crack resistance, ER5356 for colour-matched anodizing) and readily FSW-able; expect HAZ strength to drop toward T4/O values unless post-weld aged.
Can 6060 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding extrudability (thin walls, complex hollows, high press speeds); bend and roll-form in O/T4/T64, avoid tight radii in T6/T66; T4 material can be formed then aged to T6.
What surface finishes work on 6060?
Best-in-class decorative and bright anodizing (clear, colour and electrolytic bronze); also takes powder coat over chromate-free pretreatment, and mechanical brushing/polishing before anodize.
6060 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 | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Fedeliberate Fe range for grain/surface control | 0.1 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Mg | 0.35 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Others (each)total others max 0.15 | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Alremainder, ≥98.4 % typical | balance | — |
6060-T51 — frequently asked
What is 6060-T51 used for?
6060-T51 is typically used for LED and lighting housings, architectural window and door extrusions, decorative trim and cover profiles, heat sink profiles, enclosure and cabinet frames and handrail and partition sections. In short: superior corrosion resistance; smooth.
What is the yield strength of 6060-T51?
6060-T51 has a typical yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) — weaker than 81% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 6060-T51 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades). Machines easily but gummy in soft tempers — use polished-flute, high-rake carbide tools, 300–1000 m/min, generous flood or MQL to avoid built-up edge; machine in T5/T6 for best finish.
Can 6060-T51 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Very good with GMAW/GTAW (ER4043 for crack resistance, ER5356 for colour-matched anodizing) and readily FSW-able; expect HAZ strength to drop toward T4/O values unless post-weld aged.
What surface finishes work on 6060-T51?
Best-in-class decorative and bright anodizing (clear, colour and electrolytic bronze); also takes powder coat over chromate-free pretreatment, and mechanical brushing/polishing before anodize.
Can 6060-T51 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding extrudability (thin walls, complex hollows, high press speeds); bend and roll-form in O/T4/T64, avoid tight radii in T6/T66; T4 material can be formed then aged to T6.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6060-T51?
6060-T51 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 6060-T51?
Yes — 6060-T51 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
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — chemical composition of wrought products — CEN (2019)
- EN 755-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles: mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- EN 1999-1-1 Eurocode 9: Design of aluminium structures — CEN (2007)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- Extrusion alloy AA6060 / EN AW-6060 profile datasheets — Hydro / Constellium (2022)
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.