Aluminium alloy 6082 is a medium-strength structural alloy offering excellent corrosion resistance and the highest strength within the 6000 series. In plate and sheet form, 6082 is one of the most widely used alloys for machining applications. As a relatively newer alloy, its superior strength has led to it replacing alloy 6061 in many structural applications. The addition of manganese helps control the grain structure, resulting in improved strength and toughness. While alloy 6082 is ideal for structural use, it is not well suited for thin-walled or highly intricate extrusion profiles, and the extruded surface finish is generally not as smooth as other 6000-series alloys of comparable strength. In T6 and T651 tempers, alloy 6082 machines exceptionally well, producing tight swarf coils when appropriate chip breakers are used.
Alloy 6082 is typically used for:
Alloy 6082
Spec: BS EN 573-3:2009
| Chemical Element | % Present |
|---|---|
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.40 – 1.00 |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.0 – 0.50 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.60 – 1.20 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.70 – 1.30 |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.0 – 0.10 |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.0 – 0.20 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.0 – 0.25 |
| Aluminium (Al) | Balance |
| Other (Each) | 0.0 – 0.05 |
| Others (Total) | 0.0 – 0.15 |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 2.70 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 555 °C |
| Thermal Expansion | 24 × 10⁻⁶ /K |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 70 GPa |
| Thermal Conductivity | 180 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.038 × 10⁻⁶ Ω·m |
Spec: BS EN 485-2:2008
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Proof Stress | 85 MPa (Max) |
| Tensile Strength | 150 MPa (Max) |
| Hardness (Brinell) | 40 HB |
Aluminium alloy 6082 corresponds to the following standards (not always direct equivalents):
The most common tempers for alloy 6082 are:
Alloy 6082 is typically supplied as:
Alloy 6082 offers very good weldability, although some loss of strength occurs in the weld zone.
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Gas | Good |
| Arc | Good |
| Resistance | Good |
| Brazability | Good |
| Solderability | Good |
