6082-T4 Aluminum vs. 6082-T6 Aluminum

Jan. 11, 2025

6082-T4 and 6082-T6 aluminum alloys both belong to the 6000 series, primarily composed of aluminum, silicon, and magnesium. Although they have the same alloy composition, their mechanical properties differ due to the different heat treatment processes.

6082-T4: Suitable for applications that require high ductility and formability, with lower strength. It is ideal for lightweight structural components and environments that require good fatigue strength.
6082-T6: Has higher strength and hardness, making it suitable for high-strength and high-performance structural components, especially in applications that need to withstand larger loads and stresses, such as aerospace and mechanical fields.

Both alloys have similar thermal and electrical properties, as well as environmental impact, making them interchangeable in certain applications depending on the required mechanical performance.

Comparison Table of 6082-T4 and 6082-T6 Aluminum Alloys

Characteristic	6082-T4	6082-T6
Strength and Hardness	Lower strength and hardness, suitable for low-strength applications	Higher strength and hardness, suitable for applications subject to higher loads
Elongation (Ductility)	Has higher elongation, suitable for applications requiring good formability	Lower elongation, suitable for high-strength applications that do not require significant deformation

6082-T4 Aluminum and 6082-T6 Aluminum Alloy Composition

6082 aluminum belongs to the 6000 series, primarily composed of aluminum, silicon, and magnesium. These alloys have the same basic composition, but the mechanical properties of 6082-T4 and 6082-T6 differ due to the different heat treatment processes.

Element	Weight Percentage
Si	0.70-1.30
Fe	0.5
Cu	0.1
Mn	0.40-1.00
Mg	0.60-1.20
Cr	0.25
Zn	0.2
Ti	0.1
Other Each	0.05
Other Total	0.15
Al	Balance (Aluminum)

Comparison of Heat Treatment States for 6082-T4 and 6082-T6 Aluminum

6082-T4: This alloy has undergone a natural aging process, which enhances its ductility, making it suitable for applications that require high plasticity and formability.
6082-T6: After artificial aging (heat treatment), the strength, hardness, and fatigue resistance of 6082-T6 alloy are significantly improved, making it suitable for applications that require high strength and toughness.

Comparison of Applications for 6082-T4 and 6082-T6 Aluminum

6082-T4: Suitable for applications that require higher ductility and good fatigue strength, such as structural components and parts with moderate strength requirements. Examples include automotive, machinery, and some building structures that do not bear heavy loads or components designed for energy absorption.
6082-T6: Due to its high strength and fatigue resistance, it is suitable for applications that require higher strength and durability, such as aerospace, automotive, and heavy machinery components, especially in situations where large pressures or weights need to be supported.
Corrosion Resistance: Both alloys have good corrosion resistance, making them suitable for use in general environments. However, due to the higher hardness of 6082-T6, it may perform better over the long term in harsh environments, especially when subjected to high-strength corrosive conditions.

Welding and Machining of 6082-T4 and 6082-T6 Aluminum

6082-T4: It is relatively easy to weld and machine, making it suitable for situations where significant deformation is required during the manufacturing process.
6082-T6: Although it has good welding performance, its higher hardness may pose higher demands on machining processes, especially in precision machining.

6082-T4 Aluminum vs. 6082-T6 Aluminum Mechanical Propertiess

Property	6082-T4 Aluminum	6082-T6 Aluminum
Brinell Hardness	58	93
Elastic (Young's, Tensile) Modulus, GPa	69	69
Elongation at Break, %	16	9.8
Fatigue Strength, MPa	66	95
Poisson's Ratio	0.33	0.33
Shear Modulus, GPa	26	26
Shear Strength, MPa	140	220
Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), MPa	230	330
Tensile Strength: Yield (Proof), MPa	120	270

6082-T4 Aluminum vs. 6082-T6 Aluminum Thermal Properties

Property	6082-T4 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-T4 Aluminum vs. 6082-T6 Aluminum Electrical Properties

Property	6082-T4 Aluminum	6082-T6 Aluminum
Electrical Conductivity: Equal Volume, % IACS	42	42
Electrical Conductivity: Equal Weight (Specific), % IACS	140	140

Otherwise Unclassified Properties

Property	6082-T4 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-T4 Aluminum	6082-T6 Aluminum
Resilience: Ultimate (Unit Rupture Work), MJ/m³	31	30
Resilience: Unit (Modulus of Resilience), kJ/m³	110	540
Stiffness to Weight: Axial, points	14	14
Stiffness to Weight: Bending, points	50	50
Strength to Weight: Axial, points	24	33
Strength to Weight: Bending, points	31	39
Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s	67	67
Thermal Shock Resistance, points	10	15

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