Aluminium alloy 6061 is one of the most extensively used of the 6000 series and it possesses good formability and corrosion resistance with medium to high strength. 6061 aluminium has very good corrosion resistance and very good weldability although reduced strength in the weld zone.

This general-purpose alloy can be cold worked, anodized, annealed and extruded and it has been used in a wide range of applications such as heavy-duty structures requiring good corrosion resistance, aircraft and aerospace components, railroad cars, transport, marine fittings, valves, machinery, and pipelines.

6061 aluminum is combination of at least eight other elements in varying quantities. Some of these elements can include silicon (the most important of these materials), zinc, iron, copper and titanium. Slight variations in 6061 aluminum can impact the aluminum’s properties substantially.

Different 6061 compositions are used for different purposes. After 6061 aluminum has been cold worked, it goes through various different heat treating processes, such as annealing, solution heat treatments and precipitation heat treatments. These improve the metal’s workability, stabilize its properties, improve its mechanical abilities and harden its surface.

6061 is typically available as sheet, plate, tube, bar, rod, pipe, wire, Rod, Bar (Hexagon, Round, Square) and extrusions.

Physical Properties 

Density: 2.7 g/cm³

Melting Point: Approx 580°C

Modulus of Elasticity: 70-80 GPa

Poissons Ratio: 0.33

Thermal Properties 

Co-Efficient of Thermal Expansion (20-100°C): 23.5x10^-6 m/m.°C

Thermal Conductivity: 173 W/m.K

Electrical Properties 

Electrical Resistivity: 3.7 – 4.0 x10^-6 Ω.cm