Aluminum A20X · temper
Aluminum A20X-T6
Properties of the T6 condition, compared with the other A20X tempers.
Default structural condition when maximum strength and hardness are required and corrosion exposure is controlled by coatings.
What is A20X-T6?
A20X-T6 is A20X in the T6 temper — default structural condition when maximum strength and hardness are required and corrosion exposure is controlled by coatings. A20X-T6 has a yield strength of 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 495 MPa (71.8 ksi) — stronger than 89% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 77 GPa (11.2 Msi). A20X-T6 has a density of 2.83 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of aluminum grades. It melts at 545°C (1,013 °F). As Printed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T6 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 425 MPa (61.6 ksi), better than 89% of aluminum grades
- High service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), better than 86% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 15 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 97% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 32/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 115 W/m·K (66.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 85% of aluminum grades
A20X-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A20X-T6 — 15 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every A20X temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
A20X-T6 has a density of 2.83 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of aluminum grades. It melts at 545°C (1,013 °F).
Mechanical13
A20X-T6 has a yield strength of 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 495 MPa (71.8 ksi) — stronger than 89% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 77 GPa (11.2 Msi).
Thermal6
A20X-T6 is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 115 W/m·K (66.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 85% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.3 µm/m·K (12.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A20X-T6 conducts electricity at 31 % IACS, worse than 68% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (32/100), worse than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A20X-T6 takes about 240 MJ of energy and emits 15 kg of CO₂ — more than 98% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
A20X-T6's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other A20X tempers and conditions
A20X is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the A20X overview.
- As PrintedDefaultBaseline condition straight off the machine; use only for form/fit parts or before downstream HIP/heat treatment.240 MPa yield · 95 HB
- HIP+T7Highest-integrity route for fatigue- and fracture-critical flight hardware: porosity closed plus stabilised precipitation strengthening.440 MPa yield · 140 HB
- T7Preferred aerospace condition: near-T6 strength with better ductility, dimensional stability and resistance to intergranular/stress-corrosion attack.435 MPa yield · 138 HB
- T6Default structural condition when maximum strength and hardness are required and corrosion exposure is controlled by coatings.425 MPa yield · 140 HB
- HIPChoose to close gas/lack-of-fusion porosity and maximise fatigue life and ductility; normally followed by T6/T7 ageing.200 MPa yield · 87 HB
Working with A20X-T6
Is A20X easy to machine?
Machines much like 2014/2219-T6 with sharp carbide and generous coolant, but the hard TiB₂ particles are abrasive and shorten tool life — prefer polycrystalline-diamond or coated carbide for finishing.
Can A20X be welded?
TiB₂ grain refinement gives far better hot-cracking resistance than conventional 2xxx; TIG/laser and friction-stir joining are feasible, though post-weld solution + ageing is needed to restore strength.
Can A20X be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as AM powder or premium castings, not as wrought stock; L-PBF requires tight oxygen/moisture control, pre-heated plates and 180–200 °C stress-relief before plate removal.
What surface finishes work on A20X?
Shot peening or chemical smoothing improves fatigue; use hard or sulphuric anodise plus chromate-free primer for corrosion protection — decorative anodising is unreliable due to Cu and TiB₂.
A20X 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cumain strengthening addition | 4.2 – 5 | 4.5 |
| Agrefines Ω/θ' precipitation, raises elevated-temperature strength | 0.4 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Mgco-additive with Ag | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Tipresent largely as in-situ TiB₂ grain refiner | 1 – 2 | 1.5 |
| Bforms TiB₂ particles | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
A20X-T6 — frequently asked
What is A20X-T6 used for?
A20X-T6 is typically used for aerospace casting replacement parts, aluminium tooling and mould inserts, hot-running engine and powertrain brackets, motorsport structural components, defence hardware and mounts and pressure-tight housings. In short: castable high-strength LPBF.
What is the yield strength of A20X-T6?
A20X-T6 has a typical yield strength of 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 495 MPa (71.8 ksi) — stronger than 89% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is A20X-T6 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades). Machines much like 2014/2219-T6 with sharp carbide and generous coolant, but the hard TiB₂ particles are abrasive and shorten tool life — prefer polycrystalline-diamond or coated carbide for finishing.
Can A20X-T6 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). TiB₂ grain refinement gives far better hot-cracking resistance than conventional 2xxx; TIG/laser and friction-stir joining are feasible, though post-weld solution + ageing is needed to restore strength.
What surface finishes work on A20X-T6?
Shot peening or chemical smoothing improves fatigue; use hard or sulphuric anodise plus chromate-free primer for corrosion protection — decorative anodising is unreliable due to Cu and TiB₂.
Can A20X-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as AM powder or premium castings, not as wrought stock; L-PBF requires tight oxygen/moisture control, pre-heated plates and 180–200 °C stress-relief before plate removal.
What is the maximum service temperature of A20X-T6?
A20X-T6 is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between A20X As Printed and A20X-T7?
As Printed is the default condition — baseline condition straight off the machine; use only for form/fit parts or before downstream HIP/heat treatment. T7: preferred aerospace condition: near-T6 strength with better ductility, dimensional stability and resistance to intergranular/stress-corrosion attack. Yield strength is 240 MPa in As Printed versus 435 MPa in T7.
Can FabDigit make parts in A20X-T6?
Yes — A20X-T6 is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- A20X™ Aluminium Alloy Powder / Casting Alloy Technical Data — Aeromet International (A20X Ltd) (2023)
- Registration Record of Aluminum Association Alloy Designations (A205.0 casting alloy) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Additive-manufactured Al-Cu-Ag-TiB₂ mechanical property compilations (L-PBF) — peer-reviewed AM literature (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.