Aluminum 6111 · temper
Aluminum 6111-T6
Properties of the T6 condition, compared with the other 6111 tempers.
Pick when maximum strength/dent resistance is needed and no further forming is required.
What is 6111-T6?
6111-T6 is 6111 in the T6 temper — pick when maximum strength/dent resistance is needed and no further forming is required. 6111-T6 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) — stronger than 78% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). 6111-T6 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 560°C (1,040 °F). T4 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T6 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 180 W/m·K (104 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 44 % IACS, better than 85% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 310 MPa (45 ksi), better than 78% of aluminum grades
6111-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6111-T6 — 14 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 6111 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
6111-T6 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 560°C (1,040 °F).
Mechanical12
6111-T6 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) — stronger than 78% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
6111-T6 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 180 W/m·K (104 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.5 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6111-T6 conducts electricity at 44 % IACS, better than 85% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 51% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6111-T6 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
6111-T6's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability good (55/100); 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 6111 tempers and conditions
6111 is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 6111 overview.
- T4DefaultStandard delivery temper for automotive body sheet: formable enough to stamp, then paint-bake hardens.160 MPa yield · 78 HB
- T6Pick when maximum strength/dent resistance is needed and no further forming is required.310 MPa yield · 105 HB
- T8XThe in-service condition of a body panel: 2 % pre-strain plus ~175–185 °C / 20–30 min bake raises yield strength markedly.255 MPa yield · 95 HB
- OSoftest condition — pick for maximum drawability or for re-solution-treating afterwards.70 MPa yield · 42 HB
Working with 6111-T6
Is 6111 easy to machine?
Machines like a soft 6xxx in T4 (use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, air/mist to avoid built-up edge); chips break better after aging to T6/T8.
Can 6111 be welded?
Excellent for resistance spot, laser and self-piercing-rivet joining; for fusion welding use 4043/4047 filler because the ~0.7 % Cu raises hot-cracking and weld-zone corrosion sensitivity.
Can 6111 be formed, bent or molded?
Stamp in T4/T4P (r-value and n-value tuned for outer panels); allow generous bend radii, watch roping/paint-visible surface lines from texture, and avoid forming in T6.
What surface finishes work on 6111?
Designed for e-coat/primer/paint after alkaline clean, deoxidise and Ti/Zr or phosphate pretreatment; clear anodize is only fair (Cu haze), so decorative anodizing is not recommended.
6111 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 – 1.1 | 0.85 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Cugives fast bake-hardening response | 0.5 – 0.9 | 0.7 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.45 | 0.25 |
| Mg | 0.5 – 1 | 0.75 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Others (each)others total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
6111-T6 — frequently asked
What is 6111-T6 used for?
6111-T6 is typically used for automotive outer body panels, door and roof skins, hood and closure inner panels, door and bumper reinforcements, body-in-white brackets and stiffeners and stamped structural sheet assemblies. In short: higher-strength automotive sheet; bake-hardenable.
What is the yield strength of 6111-T6?
6111-T6 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) — stronger than 78% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 6111-T6 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades). Machines like a soft 6xxx in T4 (use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, air/mist to avoid built-up edge); chips break better after aging to T6/T8.
Can 6111-T6 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Excellent for resistance spot, laser and self-piercing-rivet joining; for fusion welding use 4043/4047 filler because the ~0.7 % Cu raises hot-cracking and weld-zone corrosion sensitivity.
What surface finishes work on 6111-T6?
Designed for e-coat/primer/paint after alkaline clean, deoxidise and Ti/Zr or phosphate pretreatment; clear anodize is only fair (Cu haze), so decorative anodizing is not recommended.
Can 6111-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Stamp in T4/T4P (r-value and n-value tuned for outer panels); allow generous bend radii, watch roping/paint-visible surface lines from texture, and avoid forming in T6.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6111-T6?
6111-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.
What is the difference between 6111-T4 and 6111-T6?
T4 is the default condition — standard delivery temper for automotive body sheet: formable enough to stamp, then paint-bake hardens. T6: pick when maximum strength/dent resistance is needed and no further forming is required. Yield strength is 160 MPa in T4 versus 310 MPa in T6.
Can FabDigit make parts in 6111-T6?
Yes — 6111-T6 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)
- ASTM B209 — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Automotive body sheet alloy data (6111/6111-T4P) — Alcoa / Novelis (2015)
- Aluminium automotive sheet property compilations — European Aluminium (Automotive Manual) (2013)
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.