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6082-O Aluminum vs. 6082-T6 Aluminum

Jan. 16, 2025

6082 O is suitable for low-strength applications that require ductility and machinability, while 6082-T6 is better suited for structural applications that require high strength and high-temperature resistance.

6082-O aluminum alloy is suitable for applications that require high ductility, machinability, and low strength. Its advantages lie in its better ductility and plasticity, making it ideal for forming applications, such as non-load-bearing structures or decorative parts in the construction industry.

6082-T6 aluminum alloy is suitable for applications that require high strength and good thermal shock resistance, particularly in aerospace, automotive, mechanical, and high-strength structural applications. Due to its excellent strength, hardness, and thermal shock resistance, 6082 aluminum alloy in T6 state is better suited for applications that endure heavy loads or high-temperature environments.

Comparison Table of 6082-O Aluminum Alloy and 6082-T6 Aluminum Alloy Performance

Performance Characteristics 6082-O Aluminum Alloy 6082-T6 Aluminum Alloy
Mechanical Properties Low strength, good ductility High strength, high hardness, high shear strength
Ultimate Strength Low High
Yield Strength Low High
Hardness Low High
Elongation at Break High (better than T6) Lower than O state
Shear Strength Relatively low Relatively high
Thermal Properties Similar Similar
Electrical Properties Similar Similar
Elasticity and Strength-to-Weight Ratio Relatively low Relatively high (especially in axial strength and bending strength)
Thermal Shock Resistance Relatively poor Relatively good
Suitable Temperature Range Suitable for medium to low-temperature environments Suitable for high-temperature environments
Heat Treatment State Annealed state, good machinability Aged treatment, enhanced mechanical strength
Typical Applications Applications requiring good ductility, machinability, and low strength, such as architectural decorative parts, frames, etc. Structural parts requiring high strength and thermal shock resistance, such as in aerospace, automotive, and heavy-load structural components

6082-O Aluminum vs. 6082-T6 Aluminum Mechanical Properties

Property 6082-O Aluminum 6082-T6 Aluminum
Brinell Hardness 40 93
Elastic (Young's, Tensile) Modulus (GPa) 69 69
Elongation at Break (%) 18 9.8
Fatigue Strength (MPa) 91 95
Poisson's Ratio 0.33 0.33
Shear Modulus (GPa) 26 26
Shear Strength (MPa) 84 220
Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS) (MPa) 140 330
Tensile Strength: Yield (Proof) (MPa) 85 270

6082-O Aluminum vs. 6082-T6 Aluminum Thermal Properties

Property 6082-O Aluminum 6082-T6 Aluminum
Latent Heat of Fusion (J/g) 410 410
Maximum Temperature: Mechanical (°C) 170 170
Melting Completion (Liquidus) (°C) 650 650
Melting Onset (Solidus) (°C) 580 580
Specific Heat Capacity (J/kg-K) 900 900
Thermal Conductivity (W/m-K) 160 160
Thermal Expansion (µm/m-K) 23 23

6082-O Aluminum vs. 6082-T6 Aluminum Electrical Properties

Property 6082-O Aluminum 6082-T6 Aluminum
Electrical Conductivity: Equal Volume (% IACS) 42 42
Electrical Conductivity: Equal Weight (Specific) (% IACS) 140 140

Summary of Applications for 6082 O and 6082 T6 Aluminum

Characteristics/Applications 6082-O Aluminum Alloy 6082-T6 Aluminum Alloy
Ductility Excellent, suitable for complex forming and machining Lower, suitable for bearing larger loads but not easy to machine into complex shapes
Strength Lower, suitable for non-load-bearing structures High, suitable for bearing larger loads and high-temperature environments
Application Fields Building, automotive decoration, mechanical casings, and other non-load-bearing parts Aerospace, automotive high-strength structures, heavy mechanical components, racing parts, etc.
Machinability Excellent, suitable for precision machining, bending, and welding Poor machinability, suitable for simple machining and welding
Thermal Shock Resistance Average Good, suitable for working in high-temperature environments
Corrosion Resistance Average Good, suitable for high-strength structural parts in corrosive environments

Otherwise Unclassified Properties

Property 6082-O Aluminum 6082-T6 Aluminum
Base Metal Price (% relative) 9.5 9.5
Density (g/cm³) 2.7 2.7
Embodied Carbon (kg CO₂/kg material) 8.3 8.3
Embodied Energy (MJ/kg) 150 150
Embodied Water (L/kg) 1170 1170

Common Calculations

Property 6082-O Aluminum 6082-T6 Aluminum
Resilience: Ultimate (Unit Rupture Work) (MJ/m³) 22 30
Resilience: Unit (Modulus of Resilience) (kJ/m³) 52 540
Stiffness to Weight: Axial (points) 14 14
Stiffness to Weight: Bending (points) 50 50
Strength to Weight: Axial (points) 14 33
Strength to Weight: Bending (points) 21 39
Thermal Diffusivity (mm²/s) 67 67
Thermal Shock Resistance (points) 6.0 15

How to Choose Between 6082 O and 6082 T6 Aluminum?

When choosing 6082 aluminum alloy, it is necessary to consider several factors, such as strength, ductility, thermal resistance, and load-bearing capacity. The specific choice should be based on the application requirements, environmental conditions, and performance needs. Below, we will describe in detail how to select the appropriate heat treatment state (O-state or T6-state) of 6082 aluminum alloy based on different application requirements.

Requirement 6082-O Aluminum Alloy 6082-T6 Aluminum Alloy
Strength Requirements Suitable for low-strength applications, such as decorative parts and non-load-bearing structures Suitable for high-strength applications, such as aerospace, automotive, and high-strength mechanical components
Ductility/Machinability Excellent, suitable for machining complex shapes Relatively poor, suitable for simple machining or less complex structural parts
Thermal Resistance Requirements Not suitable for high-temperature environments Good, suitable for high-temperature environments and thermal shock-resistant applications
Corrosion Resistance Requirements Average, suitable for non-harsh environments Excellent, suitable for high-strength structures in corrosive environments
Load-Bearing Capacity Suitable for light load, non-load-bearing applications Suitable for key structural components that bear heavier loads

By selecting the appropriate state of 6082 aluminum alloy based on specific application needs, the alloy can meet the engineering requirements in terms of performance, strength, thermal resistance, machinability, etc.

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