Aluminum 6162 · temper
Aluminum 6162-O
Properties of the O condition, compared with the other 6162 tempers.
Pick when maximum ductility for bending/forming is needed and the part will be re-heat-treated afterwards.
What is 6162-O?
6162-O is 6162 in the O temper — pick when maximum ductility for bending/forming is needed and the part will be re-heat-treated afterwards. 6162-O has a yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) — weaker than 93% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 6162-O 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
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 28%, better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 210 W/m·K (121.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 93% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 53 % IACS, better than 92% of aluminum grades
- High service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), better than 90% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 60 MPa (8.7 ksi), worse than 93% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades
6162-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6162-O — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 6162 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
6162-O 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
6162-O has a yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) — weaker than 93% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6162-O is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 210 W/m·K (121.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6162-O conducts electricity at 53 % IACS, better than 92% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6162-O takes about 210 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
6162-O's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 6162 tempers and conditions
6162 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 6162 overview.
- T651Use when low residual stress and dimensional stability during heavy machining are required at T6 strength.265 MPa yield · 95 HB
- T6Standard stocked condition: peak-strength temper for structural profiles, tube and machined parts.262 MPa yield · 95 HB
- T5511Same as 6162-T5510 but a minor straightening pass after stretching is permitted, giving tighter straightness tolerances at essentially identical mechanical properties.240 MPa yield · 82 HB
- T5Most economical aged temper for press-quenched profiles where T6 strength is not required and distortion must be minimal.240 MPa yield · 85 HB
- T55106162 extrusion aged directly from the press (T5) then stretched to relieve residual stress, with no subsequent straightening — dimensionally stable bar/profile at near-T5 strength.235 MPa yield · 80 HB
- T4Choose for parts that must be bent/formed after heat treatment and can be artificially aged (to T6) later.110 MPa yield · 60 HB
- OPick when maximum ductility for bending/forming is needed and the part will be re-heat-treated afterwards.60 MPa yield · 32 HB
Working with 6162-O
Is 6162 easy to machine?
Machines well in T5/T6 with sharp polished tools, high speed and generous coolant; gummy and prone to built-up edge in O/T4 — use high rake and chip-breaking geometry.
Can 6162 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 4043 (crack resistance) or 5356 (strength/colour match); HAZ drops to near-T4 strength unless re-solution treated and aged.
Can 6162 be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes easily and can be press-quenched to T5; bend and roll-form in O or T4 and age afterwards, since T6 has limited cold bend radii.
What surface finishes work on 6162?
Takes clear, hard and coloured anodizing well, plus conversion coating, powder paint and mechanical polishing; degrease and etch before anodizing to avoid Mg-rich streaks.
6162 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 | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Mg | 0.7 – 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Others (each)others total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
6162-O — frequently asked
What is 6162-O used for?
6162-O is typically used for auto fittings, hydraulic manifolds and connectors. In short: free-machining variant.
What is the yield strength of 6162-O?
6162-O has a typical yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) — weaker than 93% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 6162-O easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 80% of aluminum grades). Machines well in T5/T6 with sharp polished tools, high speed and generous coolant; gummy and prone to built-up edge in O/T4 — use high rake and chip-breaking geometry.
Can 6162-O be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 4043 (crack resistance) or 5356 (strength/colour match); HAZ drops to near-T4 strength unless re-solution treated and aged.
What surface finishes work on 6162-O?
Takes clear, hard and coloured anodizing well, plus conversion coating, powder paint and mechanical polishing; degrease and etch before anodizing to avoid Mg-rich streaks.
Can 6162-O be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes easily and can be press-quenched to T5; bend and roll-form in O or T4 and age afterwards, since T6 has limited cold bend radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6162-O?
6162-O is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 6162-O?
Yes — 6162-O 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
- Aluminum Standards and Data / Registration Record of International Alloy Designations (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Chemical composition and form of wrought products — CEN (2019)
- EN 755-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles — Mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Aluminium extrusion alloy property tables (6xxx series) — MatWeb / producer datasheets (2023)
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.