Aluminum 6106 · temper
Aluminum 6106-T4
Properties of the T4 condition, compared with the other 6106 tempers.
Use when profiles must be bent, roll-formed or drawn after supply and then aged to T6 by the fabricator.
What is 6106-T4?
6106-T4 is 6106 in the T4 temper — use when profiles must be bent, roll-formed or drawn after supply and then aged to T6 by the fabricator. 6106-T4 has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) — weaker than 84% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 69.5 GPa (10.1 Msi). 6106-T4 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
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 18%, better than 86% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 175 W/m·K (101.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 44 % IACS, better than 85% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 105 MPa (15.2 ksi), worse than 84% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades
6106-T4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6106-T4 — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 6106 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
6106-T4 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).
Mechanical13
6106-T4 has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) — weaker than 84% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 69.5 GPa (10.1 Msi).
Thermal6
6106-T4 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 175 W/m·K (101.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6106-T4 conducts electricity at 44 % IACS, better than 85% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 71% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6106-T4 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
6106-T4's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability very good (75/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 6106 tempers and conditions
6106 is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 6106 overview.
- T6Standard supply condition: full precipitation-hardened strength (Rm ≥ 250 MPa per EN 755-2) for structural extrusions.220 MPa yield · 80 HB
- T5Economical press-aged temper for thin architectural profiles where T6-level strength is not required.185 MPa yield · 70 HB
- T4Use when profiles must be bent, roll-formed or drawn after supply and then aged to T6 by the fabricator.105 MPa yield · 55 HB
- T1Low-cost as-pressed condition for lightly loaded profiles that still need some cold bending.90 MPa yield · 50 HB
Working with 6106-T4
Is 6106 easy to machine?
Machines easily in T5/T6 with sharp polished-flute carbide tools, high speed and generous coolant/lubricant to avoid built-up edge; softer tempers are gummy.
Can 6106 be welded?
Good MIG/TIG weldability with 4043 (crack resistance) or 5356 (strength/anodizing match); HAZ drops to roughly T4 strength unless post-weld aged.
Can 6106 be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes into thin, complex hollow profiles at moderate press loads; bend in F/T4 and age afterwards, since T6 needs generous bend radii.
What surface finishes work on 6106?
Excellent clear, colour and hard anodizing; also takes chemical brightening, powder coating and chromate/chrome-free pretreatments well.
6106 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 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Mngrain-structure control | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Mg | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Alremainder; others 0.05 each, 0.15 total | balance | — |
6106-T4 — frequently asked
What is 6106-T4 used for?
6106-T4 is typically used for decorative extrusions, tube and window frames. In short: decorative extrusion alloy.
What is the yield strength of 6106-T4?
6106-T4 has a typical yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) — weaker than 84% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 6106-T4 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades). Machines easily in T5/T6 with sharp polished-flute carbide tools, high speed and generous coolant/lubricant to avoid built-up edge; softer tempers are gummy.
Can 6106-T4 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Good MIG/TIG weldability with 4043 (crack resistance) or 5356 (strength/anodizing match); HAZ drops to roughly T4 strength unless post-weld aged.
What surface finishes work on 6106-T4?
Excellent clear, colour and hard anodizing; also takes chemical brightening, powder coating and chromate/chrome-free pretreatments well.
Can 6106-T4 be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes into thin, complex hollow profiles at moderate press loads; bend in F/T4 and age afterwards, since T6 needs generous bend radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6106-T4?
6106-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 6106-T4?
Yes — 6106-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
- EN 755-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles: mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Chemical composition — CEN (2019)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- European extruder alloy datasheets for EN AW-6106 — extrusion producers (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.