What Are 6061-t6 And 6082-t6 Flat Aluminum Plate
6061-T6 (EN AW-6061, UNS A96061) and 6082-T6 (EN AW-6082, UNS A96082) are heat-treatable 6xxx-grade aluminum–magnesium–silicon (Al-Mg-Si) alloys. In the T6 temper they are solution heat treated and artificially aged, which produces fine Mg₂Si precipitates that give a good balance of strength, workability and corrosion resistance.
They are used as flat plate (typically 6 mm and thicker; thinner product is called sheet or coil) for parts that must be both structurally capable and easy to machine or weld. The main differences:
6082 carries more manganese (0.40–1.00% vs 6061's 0.15% max) and a slightly higher minimum yield, and is the dominant structural plate grade in Europe (bridges, cranes, rail, general engineering).
6061 is the more common choice in North America, anodizes to a very consistent color, and is the default for machined and welded fabrications.
Both are non-controlled 6xxx alloys and ship without export-licence screening - unlike high-copper 2xxx (e.g. 2024, 2017) or 7xxx (e.g. 7075) aerospace alloys.
Chemical Composition Of 6061 And 6082 Aluminum Plate
Specification limits per ASTM B209 and EN 573-3. Both are Al-Mg-Si alloys; the differences are manganese, silicon and copper levels.
| Element | 6061 (%) | 6082 (%) | Role / function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum (Al) | Remainder | Remainder | Base metal |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.40 – 0.80 | 0.70 – 1.30 | Forms Mg₂Si precipitates for strength; improves casting/weldability |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.80 – 1.20 | 0.60 – 1.20 | Forms Mg₂Si with Si; main strength contributor |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 0.15 | 0.40 – 1.00 | Refines grain, raises strength and recrystallization resistance (6082 higher) |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.15 – 0.40 | ≤ 0.10 | Boosts strength; kept low in 6082 for corrosion behaviour |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.04 – 0.35 | ≤ 0.25 | Controls grain growth and residual stress |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.70 | ≤ 0.50 | Impurity; limited to control ductility |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0.25 | ≤ 0.20 | Impurity; kept low |
| Titanium (Ti) | ≤ 0.15 | ≤ 0.10 | Grain refiner |
| Others (each / total) | ≤ 0.05 / ≤ 0.15 | ≤ 0.05 / ≤ 0.15 | Impurity limits |
Mechanical Properties Of 6061-t6 And 6082-t6 Aluminum Plate
Values are ASTM B209 / EN 485-2 specification minima and typical ranges for T6 / T651 plate. O and T4 are shown as reference. Confirm exact figures against the Mill Test Certificate (MTC).
| Temper | Alloy | Tensile strength (MPa) | Yield strength, min (MPa) | Elongation, min (%) | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O (annealed) | 6061 / 6082 | ~150 max | ~85 max | 16 | ~30 HB |
| T4 (sol. + natural age) | 6061 | 205 | 110 | 14 | ~65 HB |
| T6 / T651 | 6061 | 290 (typ. ~310) | 241 (typ. ~276) | 8 – 10 | ~95 HB |
| T6 / T651 | 6082 | 310 (typ. ~310–330) | 260 (typ. ~270–280) | 8 – 10 | ~95 HB |
T651 has the same specified strength as T6; the difference is residual stress, not strength. T651 is the preferred temper for heavily machined plate because it stays flatter and warps far less during CNC work.
Physical And Thermal Properties Of 6061 And 6082 Aluminum Plate
| Property | 6061-T6 (typical) | 6082-T6 (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 2.70 g/cm³ | 2.70 g/cm³ |
| Melting range | 582 – 652 °C | 555 – 650 °C |
| Modulus of elasticity | 68.9 GPa | 69.0 GPa |
| Thermal conductivity | ~167 W/(m·K) | ~180 – 200 W/(m·K) |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion | ~23.6 × 10−6/K | ~23.5 × 10−6/K |
| Electrical conductivity | ~43 % IACS | ~45 % IACS |
| Brinell hardness | ~95 HB | ~95 HB |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33 | 0.33 |
Specifications Of 6061 And 6082 Aluminum Plate
| Item | Typical range / option |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 0.5 – 200 mm (sheet/coil to ~6 mm; thicker plate on request) |
| Width | up to 2650 mm; common widths 1000 / 1219 / 1250 / 1500 / 2000 mm |
| Length | up to 12000 mm, or cut-to-length / coil as required |
| Common stock sizes | 1000×2000, 1219×2438, 1250×2500, 1500×3000 mm (4×8 ft also available) |
| Temper | O, T4, T5, T6, T651 (other 6xxx tempers on request) |
| Surface finish | Mill finish, brushed, polished, bright, or film/coating protected |
| Standards | ASTM B209, EN 485-2, EN 573-3, JIS H4000, GB/T 3880 |
Thickness tolerance (ANSI H35.2(M), non-aviation alloys - includes 6061 and 6082), plus/minus:
| Thickness | Width ≤ 1000 mm | 1000–1500 mm | 1500–2000 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.20 – 4.00 mm | 0.14 | 0.18 | 0.23 |
| 6.30 – 8.00 mm | 0.30 | 0.36 | 0.41 |
| 10.00 – 16.00 mm | 0.56 | 0.56 | 0.66 |
Flatness (ANSI H35.2(M), heat-treatable plate): 4 mm per 500 mm wave length, rising to 6 / 9 / 11 / 14 mm for wave lengths up to 500 / 1000 / 1500 / 2000 mm. Saw-cut length tolerance: plus 3 mm for sizes up to 1000 mm (thickness ≤ 2.00 mm); wider/longer sizes follow the standard schedule. Buyer-specified single-side tolerances are honoured where given and the equivalent standard bilateral value quoted for reference.
Packaging. Plates are packed on ISPM-15 fumigated wooden pallets with edge protection, waterproof kraft and stretch film, desiccant inside for sea freight, and PE film or paper interleaving between sheets to avoid scratches during transit.
Heat Treatment And Temper Guide For 6061 And 6082 Aluminum Plate
Both alloys are heat-treatable. The temper defines the condition:
O (annealed): fully softened by heating to ~413 °C and slow cooling - lowest strength, highest formability.
T4: solution heat treated then naturally aged at room temperature (6061 mainly).
T6 / T651: solution heat treated and artificially aged. Typical process: solution treat at 530 ± 5 °C, quench, then artificially age at 175 ± 5 °C for 8 hours. T651 adds a controlled stretch (about 1.5–3% permanent set) after quenching and before aging to relieve residual stress.
T5: extruded and cooled, then artificially aged without a separate solution step - used mainly for extruded forms.
Do not anneal or reheat parts that must keep T6 strength unless they are re-solution treated and aged afterward. Confirm the exact cycle against your process specification.
Equivalent Of 6061 And 6082 Aluminum Plate
| System | 6061 | 6082 |
|---|---|---|
| AA | 6061 | 6082 |
| UNS | A96061 | A96082 |
| EN | EN AW-6061 (AlMg1SiCu, 3.3211) | EN AW-6082 (AlSi1MgMn, 3.2315) |
| DIN | AlMg1SiCu | AlSi1MgMn |
| JIS | A6061 | A6082 |
| GB (China) | 6061 (GB/T 3190, GB/T 3880) | 6082 (GB/T 3190, GB/T 3880) |
| ISO | AlMg1SiCu | AlSi1MgMn |
Per GB/T 3880, the four-digit alloys 6061 and 6082 adopt the same mechanical property ranges as ASTM B209 / JIS H4000, so the values on the Mill Test Certificate are consistent across these standards.
Corrosion Resistance Of 6061-t6 And 6082-t6 Aluminum Plate
Atmospheric: Good in rural, urban and most industrial atmospheres. A thin oxide film forms naturally; for aggressive industrial/coastal exposure, add paint or anodizing.
Marine / seawater: Good for 6061 and 6082, but not as resistant as 5xxx (5052/5083) in continuously immersed splash zones. For long marine service, 5083 is the better pick; 6061/6082 are fine for coastal structures with periodic exposure and a protective finish.
Galvanic: Avoid direct contact with dissimilar metals (steel, copper) without isolation; use dielectric washers, coatings or compatible fasteners to prevent galvanic corrosion.
Stress-corrosion cracking (SCC): Low susceptibility in the short-transverse direction for plate in T6; keep service temperature moderate (below ~65 °C for sustained load) to avoid sensitization. 6082/T6 is less SCC-prone than high-copper 2xxx grades.
After finishing: Anodizing and PVDF/polyester coating improve appearance and extend service life in corrosive environments; the weld heat-affected zone should be refinished for consistent protection.
Fabrication Of 6061 And 6082 Aluminum Plate
Welding: Good with standard MIG (GMAW) and TIG (GTAW). Use ER4043 filler for good flow and color match, or ER5356 / ER5183 when higher joint strength or better color after anodizing is needed. The heat-affected zone loses some strength versus the parent T6 material, so design welded joints around the post-weld properties or reheat-treat where the specification allows.
Machining: Excellent in T6 / T651. Use sharp carbide tools, chip breakers or suitable coolant to control long chips. T651 is preferred for parts with large material removal to avoid post-machining warpage.
Forming: T6 bends and forms reasonably for moderate radii; O temper is used where deep drawing or severe forming is required, often followed by heat treatment.
Cutting: Shear, saw or laser/plasma cut; saw and CNC-cut edges give the tightest tolerances for mating parts.
Surface Finishes For 6061 And 6082 Aluminum Plate
| Finish | Description | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Mill finish | As-rolled, uncoated, may show roller marks | Structural, welded, hidden parts |
| Brushed / polished | Directional or mirror mechanical finish | Architectural, decorative, consumer |
| Anodized (clear / black / color) | Hard oxide film, uniform and durable | Trim, enclosures, exterior exposure |
| Powder coat | Electrostatic polymer coat, any RAL color | Architectural, equipment housings |
| PVDF / polyester coil coat | Fluorocarbon or polyester film, specified color | Building facades, long-life exterior |
| Protective film | PE / PVC film or paper interleaving | Scratch protection in transit and fabrication |
Applications Of 6061-t6 And 6082-t6 Aluminum Plate
Structural engineering: beams, frames, brackets, gussets and welded assemblies where weight saving and strength matter - 6082 is widely used for bridges, crane booms and platforms.
Machined parts: machine bases, tooling plates, jigs, fixtures, enclosures and robotics structures where flatness and tight tolerance are needed (T651 preferred).
Transport: truck and trailer frames, automotive brackets, rail and bus structures, and bicycle/mobility components.
Marine & offshore: boat hulls and decks, marine fittings and coastal structures (with protective finish); for fully immersed service consider 5083.
Architectural: anodized or coated curtain-wall backing, window walls, handrails and decorative panels.
General fabrication: walkways, platforms, pipe racks, tanks and welded fabrications for industrial plants.
Pressure & cryogenic (mild): 6082 plate is used for low-pressure vessels and cryogenic supports; confirm temper and certification against the drawing.
Not sure whether 6061-T6 or 6082-T6 fits your job? Tell us the load, environment and machining plan and we will recommend the temper and confirm the size and tolerance.
Quality Control
Every plate order passes an inspection loop before it leaves the warehouse. The checks below map the buyer's real risks to the action we take, the standard we check against, and the result you receive.
| Risk | Check / action | Standard | Result you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrong alloy or temper shipped | Verify alloy, temper and heat number against the order; PMI spot check on request | ASTM B209 / EN 573-3 | EN 10204 3.1 MTC with heat number |
| Off-size plate rejected by your cutter | Measure thickness, width, length and flatness | ANSI H35.2(M) / EN 485-2 | Reported dimensions; out-of-tolerance lots isolated |
| 6061 / 6082 mix-up in the bundle | Tag and segregate by alloy and temper; confirm label at pack-out | Internal work instruction | Clear alloy/temper tags on every bundle |
| Surface scratches in transit | PE film / paper interleaving, edge protection, waterproof pack | ISPM-15 packing | Seaworthy pack with desiccant |
| Cracked or poor weld prep edge | Visual edge and end inspection; deburr before pack | EN 10160 / visual | Clean, burr-free edges |
Any dimension or condition that falls outside the agreed specification is isolated and resolved with you before shipment - we do not ship non-conforming plate and hope it passes.
6061-t6 Vs 6082-t6 Vs Other Aluminum Plate Comparison
| Alloy (temper) | Tensile (MPa) | Yield (MPa) | Elong (%) | Weldable | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6061-T6 | 290 (typ. 310) | 241 (typ. 276) | 8–10 | Yes (4043/5356) | Common NA structural & machined plate; anodizes consistently |
| 6082-T6 | 310 (typ. 310–330) | 260 (typ. 270–280) | 8–10 | Yes (4043/5356) | Common EU structural plate; higher Mn, slightly higher yield |
| 5052-H32 | 215 (typ. 230) | 160 (typ. 180) | 10–12 | Yes (5356) | Non-heat-treatable; better marine corrosion than 6xxx |
| 7075-T6 | 510 (typ. 570) | 440 (typ. 505) | 7–9 | Limited | Export-controlled |
| 2024-T3/T4 | 420 – 470 | 270 – 325 | 10–18 | Limited | Export-controlled - not supplied by GNEE |
| 2017-T6 | 420 – 460 | 330 – 450 | 3–10 | Limited | Export-controlled - not supplied by GNEE |
About GNEE
GNEE has supplied aluminum products since 2008 and now exports to 100+ countries and regions.
Common tempers and sizes are kept in stock; both small and large orders are accepted with a flexible MOQ.
Standard lead time is 15–30 days; each order ships with an EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Certificate, and third-party inspection (e.g. SGS) can be arranged.
Our technical team helps select the right alloy, temper and finish for your application and provides drawings-based quotations.
Why Choose Gnee For 6061-t6 And 6082-t6 Aluminum Plate
Reliable lead time: standard 15–30 days for stock and common specifications, with a clear production schedule shared at order confirmation so you can plan your own fabrication.
Custom sizes and processing: cut-to-length, CNC machining, bending, welding and surface treatment are available, so you receive plate closer to finished size and reduce your in-house work.
Certified material: every shipment carries an EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Certificate; third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TÜV) and EN 10204 3.2 can be arranged when your project requires it.
Seaworthy packaging: ISPM-15 fumigated pallets, edge protection, waterproof kraft, stretch film and desiccant, with PE film or paper interleaving to protect the surface over long sea transit.
Technical support: our team helps you choose between 6061 and 6082, select the right temper, and confirm tolerances against your drawing - we do not just quote a number, we help you avoid a wrong-order risk.
Request A Quote For 6061-t6 / 6082-t6 Aluminum Plate
MOQ: flexible - small trial orders are accepted. Lead time: 15–30 days for stock and common specifications. Payment: T/T, L/C. Incoterms: FOB, CIF, EXW. Packaging: seaworthy export packing on wooden pallets with edge protection and moisture barrier.
Certification: material conforms to ASTM B209 / EN 485-2 / EN 573-3; Mill Test Certificate (EN 10204 3.1) is provided with each shipment. 6061 and 6082 are non-controlled 6xxx alloys and are not subject to export-licence screening; GNEE does not supply sanctioned destinations.
Send your size, temper, quantity and finish requirement to sales@gneealu.com for a quotation, or include a drawing so we can confirm feasibility and tolerance.
FAQ
What is the difference between 6061-T6 and 6082-T6 aluminum plate?
Both are heat-treatable 6xxx (Al-Mg-Si) plate alloys with similar strength. 6082 has a higher manganese content (0.40–1.00% vs 6061's 0.15% max) and slightly higher minimum yield (260 MPa vs 241 MPa per ASTM B209). 6082 is the more common structural plate in Europe; 6061 is the more common choice in North America and anodizes to a more consistent color. Either is a sound structural plate; the choice usually follows the project's regional specification.
What are the mechanical properties of 6061-T6 and 6082-T6 plate?
Per ASTM B209 / EN 485-2, 6061-T6 shows a minimum tensile of 290 MPa (42 ksi) and minimum yield of 241 MPa (35 ksi) with 8–10% elongation; typical values are about 310 MPa tensile and 276 MPa yield. 6082-T6 shows a minimum tensile of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and minimum yield of 260 MPa (38 ksi) with 8–10% elongation; typical values are about 310–330 MPa tensile and 270–280 MPa yield. Confirm exact figures on the Mill Test Certificate for your heat.
Can 6061-T6 and 6082-T6 plate be welded?
Yes. Both weld well with MIG (GMAW) and TIG (GTAW). Use 4043 filler for good flow and color match, or 5356 when higher joint strength or better color after anodizing is needed. The heat-affected zone loses some strength versus the parent T6 material, so design welded joints around the post-weld properties or reheat-treat where the specification allows.
What tolerances does GNEE supply for aluminum plate?
Dimensional tolerances follow ANSI H35.2(M) and ASTM B209 / EN 485-2. For example, thickness tolerance for 3.20–4.00 mm plate up to 1000 mm wide is plus/minus 0.14 mm (plus/minus 0.18 mm over 1000–1500 mm wide); 6.30–8.00 mm plate is plus/minus 0.30 mm up to 1000 mm wide. Flatness for heat-treatable plate is 4 mm per 500 mm wave length up to 14 mm over 2000 mm. Send your size and tolerance requirement to sales@gneealu.com for a quote.
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