Aluminum Alloy 6061-T4 vs 6061-T6 – Material Properties and Performance
Aluminum Alloy 6061-T4 and 6061-T6 Heat Treatment
In most applications, 6061 aluminum is solution heat treated and then aged. The difference between tempers lies in the aging process:
6061-T4 aluminum is naturally aged after solution heat treatment
6061-T6 aluminum is artificially aged to achieve maximum strength
Both tempers are widely supplied by GNEE to meet different strength and fabrication requirements.
Aluminum Alloy 6061 Density and Physical Properties
One important advantage of Aluminum 6061 is that density remains constant across tempers, meaning there is no weight penalty when choosing higher strength.
Physical Properties of Aluminum Alloy 6061:
Density: 2.70 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³)
No density difference between 6061-T4 and 6061-T6
Aluminum Alloy 6061 Mechanical Properties Comparison
The mechanical performance of Aluminum 6061 varies significantly with temper, particularly in terms of strength.
Mechanical Properties of Aluminum 6061:
| Property | 6061-T4 | 6061-T6 |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 241 MPa (35,000 psi) | 310 MPa (45,000 psi) |
| Yield Strength | 145 MPa (21,000 psi) | 276 MPa (40,000 psi) |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 68.9 GPa | 68.9 GPa |
The 6061-T6 temper is preferred for structural applications where higher load-bearing capacity is required.
Aluminum Alloy 6061 Thermal Properties
Both 6061-T4 and 6061-T6 exhibit stable thermal performance, making them suitable for temperature-sensitive applications.
Thermal Properties of Aluminum 6061:
| Property | 6061-T4 | 6061-T6 |
|---|---|---|
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 23.6 µm/m-°C | 23.6 µm/m-°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 154 W/m·K | 167 W/m·K |
Aluminum Alloy 6061 Performance Summary
By selecting the correct temper, GNEE Aluminum 6061 can be optimized for either improved formability (T4) or maximum structural strength (T6), without sacrificing corrosion resistance or machinability.
