6061 Aluminum Alloy

Precipitation-hardened aluminum alloy containing magnesium and silicon.

Core Principles & Analysis

• Introduced by Alcoa in 1935 as Alloy 61S, it is strengthened by magnesium-silicide precipitates formed during artificial aging.
• The common T6 temper is produced by solution treating near 530 °C, quenching, then aging at about 160-180 °C for several hours.
• Excellent extrudability and weldability make it the default alloy for bicycle frames, structural extrusions, and marine hardware.

Specifications & Metrics

• DENSITY: 2.70 g/cm³
• YIELD STRENGTH: 276 MPa
• HARDNESS: 95 HB