6061-T6 aluminum

Identity and related conditions

Hydro lists 260 MPa minimum tensile and 240 MPa minimum 0.2% offset yield for its 6061-T6/T6511 extrusions, with applicability determined by the tensile specimen's section thickness. Kaiser groups T6/T651 in its sheet, coil and plate reference at 310 MPa typical tensile and 276 MPa typical yield. Use the ordered form and specification for acceptance. Hydro extrusion data, Kaiser typical rolled properties

6061-T6 combines the 6061 alloy identity with a processing condition. Hydro defines T6 as solution heat-treated and artificially aged. Its product range includes extruded shapes, rod, bar, pipe, and tube. Hydro, Alloy 6061, page 1

"6061 T6" and "6061-T6 aluminium" are spelling variants of this designation. Kaiser lists magnesium at 0.8–1.2% and silicon at 0.40–0.8% by weight for alloy 6061. These composition limits describe the alloy, not a particular lot analysis. Kaiser, Sheet Coil & Plate Alloy 6061, page 2

Stress-relief suffixes add information to the basic temper. Alro's temper reference distinguishes the following conditions. Alro Metals Guide, pages 6-86 and 6-87

Synthesis. A shared alloy number does not establish interchangeable delivery conditions. T651 and T6511 retain stress-relief information that the basic T6 label does not convey. See grades, tempers and conditions.

Typical rolled-product properties and extrusion minimums

Kaiser's sheet, coil, and plate technical sheet groups T6 and T651 together. Its table labels the following values as typical, rather than guaranteed minimums. The tensile specimen is 0.500 inch in diameter, and elongation uses a gauge length of four specimen diameters. Kaiser, revision 05/06, page 1

Hydro's extrusion table instead gives minimum ultimate strength of 38 ksi, 260 MPa, and minimum 0.2% offset yield strength of 35 ksi, 240 MPa, for T6 and T6511. Minimum elongation changes from 8% through 0.249 inch wall thickness to 10% at 0.250 inch and above. The test-section thickness governs applicability. The elongation gauge length is 2 inches or four specimen diameters. Elongation testing has exceptions for sections below 0.062 inch or without space for a standard specimen. Hydro, page 2 and footnotes

Synthesis. These tables describe different forms and value semantics. Their different numbers do not establish a contradiction or a strength ranking between suppliers. Neither table supplies a universal allowable stress for a finished part.

Thickness-dependent plate data

AMCO's EN AW-6061, AlMg1SiCu plate reference provides a separate T6 thickness schedule. Selected rows illustrate the dependence of listed strength on thickness. Rm denotes tensile strength, and Rp0.2 denotes 0.2% proof strength. AMCO, EN AW-6061 data sheet, page 1

AMCO identifies the sheet as a compilation supplied without warranty. It gives no dated specification edition or test orientation. These supplier reference values are not independently verified standard acceptance limits. They do not extend Kaiser's typical values to all thicknesses.

Synthesis. Product form, thickness interval, temper, specimen basis, and applicable specification jointly constrain a property statement. A generic "6061-T6 strength" omits those conditions.

Fabrication and finishing response

Hydro notes that severe bends may require softer T1, T4, or annealed O conditions. Its T6 and T6511 machining discussion identifies difficulty breaking chips. Hydro also reports good anodizing response while favoring 6063 when cosmetic appearance is critical. Hydro, page 1

Kaiser rates cold workability below O and T451 for its T6 and T651 rolled products. Its relative ratings do not specify a bend radius or machining settings. Kaiser, page 1

Weldability does not imply retention of T6 properties. In a published laser lap-welding experiment on 6061-T6 sheet, Kim and colleagues observed heat-affected-zone failure in one tested condition. Post-weld heat treatment increased measured joint strength. Those results apply to the paper's specimens and processing conditions, not every weld process or geometry. Kim et al., Materials Transactions 59, 2018, section 3.3

Synthesis. Supplied-stock properties do not establish final properties after forming, welding, or thermal exposure. An alloy's anodizing response also does not establish a particular cosmetic match. This reference specifies no heat-treatment cycle, filler selection, bend radius, or production settings.

Source record and coverage limits

Sources reviewed on 28 October 2026 PDT. All cited references were publicly readable without login.

Coverage excludes complete ASTM, EN, AMS, and design-code requirements, elevated-temperature allowables, fatigue design, fracture toughness, and corrosion-life prediction. No source establishes an unidentified lot's certificate, current supplier availability, a customer's manufacturing capability, or approval of a material substitution.