24 July 2021 6000 Series Aluminum Alloy
6101 Aluminum Alloy Plate
6101 aluminum alloy is an alloy that offers users a high electrical conductivity and good mechanical strength. Standard methods can be used to machine, weld, and form 6101 aluminum alloy and it is easily extruded.
6101 aluminum alloy also offers good corrosion resistance, bendability, and formability. Unlike other aluminum alloys, 6101 can be both hot and cold worked. As a heat treatable wrought alloy, 6101 aluminum is best suited to these applications, which require moderate strength and maximum electrical conductivity. Alloy 6101 is an important alloy in Hydro Extrusion's full line of bus conductor extruded products.
Chemical Composition:
| Chemical Elements | Metric | English |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum, Al | <= 97.6 % | <= 97.6 % |
| Boron, B | <= 0.06 % | <= 0.06 % |
| Chromium, Cr | <= 0.03 % | <= 0.03 % |
| Copper, Cu | <= 0.10 % | <= 0.10 % |
| Iron, Fe | <= 0.50 % | <= 0.50 % |
| Magnesium, Mg | 0.35 - 0.80 % | 0.35 - 0.80 % |
| Manganese, Mn | <= 0.03 % | <= 0.03 % |
| Other, each | <= 0.03 % | <= 0.03 % |
| Other, total | <= 0.10 % | <= 0.10 % |
| Silicon, Si | 0.30 - 0.70 % | 0.30 - 0.70 % |
| Zinc, Zn | <= 0.10 % | <= 0.10 % |
Mechanical properties:
| Mechanical Properties | Metric | English | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness, Brinell | 71 | 71 | AA; Typical; 500 g load; 10 mm ball |
| Hardness, Knoop | 94 | 94 | Converted from Brinell Hardness Value |
| Hardness, Vickers | 81 | 81 | Converted from Brinell Hardness Value |
| Tensile Strength, Ultimate | 221 MPa | 32000 psi | AA; Typical |
| 17.0 MPa @Temperature 371 °C | 2470 psi @Temperature 700 °F | ||
| 24.0 MPa @Temperature 316 °C | 3480 psi @Temperature 601 °F | ||
| 33.0 MPa @Temperature 260 °C | 4790 psi @Temperature 500 °F | ||
| 69.0 MPa @Temperature 204 °C | 10000 psi @Temperature 399 °F | ||
| 145 MPa @Temperature 149 °C | 21000 psi @Temperature 300 °F | ||
| 193 MPa @Temperature 100 °C | 28000 psi @Temperature 212 °F | ||
| 221 MPa @Temperature 24.0 °C | 32100 psi @Temperature 75.2 °F | ||
| 234 MPa @Temperature -28.0 °C | 33900 psi @Temperature -18.4 °F | ||
| 248 MPa @Temperature -80.0 °C | 36000 psi @Temperature -112 °F | ||
| 296 MPa @Temperature -196 °C | 42900 psi @Temperature -321 °F | ||
| Tensile Strength, Yield | 193 MPa | 28000 psi | AA; Typical |
| 12.0 MPa @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature 371 °C | 1740 psi @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature 700 °F | ||
| 16.0 MPa @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature 316 °C | 2320 psi @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature 601 °F | ||
| 23.0 MPa @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature 260 °C | 3340 psi @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature 500 °F | ||
| 48.0 MPa @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature 204 °C | 6960 psi @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature 399 °F | ||
| 131 MPa @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature 149 °C | 19000 psi @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature 300 °F | ||
| 172 MPa @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature 100 °C | 24900 psi @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature 212 °F | ||
| 193 MPa @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature 24.0 °C | 28000 psi @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature 75.2 °F | ||
| 200 MPa @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature -28.0 °C | 29000 psi @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature -18.4 °F | ||
| 207 MPa @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature -80.0 °C | 30000 psi @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature -112 °F | ||
| 228 MPa @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature -196 °C | 33100 psi @Strain 0.200 %, Temperature -321 °F | ||
| Elongation at Break | 19 % @Temperature -28.0 °C | 19 % @Temperature -18.4 °F | |
| 19 % @Temperature 24.0 °C | 19 % @Temperature 75.2 °F | ||
| 20 % @Temperature -80.0 °C | 20 % @Temperature -112 °F | ||
| 20 % @Temperature 100 °C | 20 % @Temperature 212 °F | ||
| 20 % @Temperature 149 °C | 20 % @Temperature 300 °F | ||
| 24 % @Temperature -196 °C | 24 % @Temperature -321 °F | ||
| 40 % @Temperature 204 °C | 40 % @Temperature 399 °F | ||
| 80 % @Temperature 260 °C | 80 % @Temperature 500 °F | ||
| 100 % @Temperature 316 °C | 100 % @Temperature 601 °F | ||
| 105 % @Temperature 371 °C | 105 % @Temperature 700 °F | ||
| 15 % @Thickness 1.59 mm | 15 % @Thickness 0.0625 in | AA; Typical | |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 68.9 GPa | 10000 ksi | AA; Typical; Average of tension and compression. Compression modulus is about 2% greater than tensile modulus. |
| Poissons Ratio | 0.33 | 0.33 | Estimated from trends in similar Al alloys. |
| Machinability | 50 % | 50 % | 0-100 Scale of Aluminum Alloys |
| Shear Modulus | 26.0 GPa | 3770 ksi | Estimated from similar Al alloys. |
| Shear Strength | 138 MPa | 20000 psi | AA; Typical |
Thermal Properties:
| Thermal Properties | Metric | English | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTE, linear | 21.7 µm/m-°C @Temperature -50.0 - 20.0 °C | 12.1 µin/in-°F @Temperature -58.0 - 68.0 °F | |
| 23.4 µm/m-°C @Temperature 20.0 - 100 °C | 13.0 µin/in-°F @Temperature 68.0 - 212 °F | AA; Typical; average over range | |
| 23.5 µm/m-°C @Temperature 20.0 - 100 °C | 13.1 µin/in-°F @Temperature 68.0 - 212 °F | ||
| 24.4 µm/m-°C @Temperature 20.0 - 200 °C | 13.6 µin/in-°F @Temperature 68.0 - 392 °F | ||
| 25.4 µm/m-°C @Temperature 20.0 - 300 °C | 14.1 µin/in-°F @Temperature 68.0 - 572 °F | ||
| Specific Heat Capacity | 0.895 J/g-°C | 0.214 BTU/lb-°F | |
| Thermal Conductivity | 218 W/m-K | 1510 BTU-in/hr-ft²-°F | AA; Typical at 77°F |
| Melting Point | 621 - 654 °C | 1150 - 1210 °F | AA; Typical range based on typical composition for wrought products >= 1/4 in. thickness |
| Solidus | 621 °C | 1150 °F | AA; Typical |
| Liquidus | 654 °C | 1210 °F | AA; Typical |
Process Properties:
| Processing Properties | Metric | English | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solution Temperature | 510 °C | 950 °F | hold at temperature for 1 hr |
| Aging Temperature | 177 °C | 350 °F | hold at temperature for 6 to 8 hr |
| Hot-Working Temperature | 260 - 510 °C | 500 - 950 °F |
Applications:
Electrical bus bar conductor applications for use in enclosed bus electrical installations.
Machinability:
Machinability by conventional means is good. Either carbide or high speed tool steel tooling may be used. Use of an oil base lubricant during machining operations is recommended.
Forming：
Forming characteristics are good by conventional processes. See also Cold Working.
Welding:
Welding by all of the standard processes may be done, including gas torch welding. The preferred method of welding is by means of inert gas arc welding for best results. Filler rod of the same alloy should be used. When welded in the heat treated condition the subsequent parts will be lower in strength because of weld heat input.
Heat Treatment:
The 6101 aluminum alloy does respond to heat treatment which is accomplished by annealing and relatively low temperature aging. See "Annealing" and "Aging"..
Cold Working:
Easily cold worked, or cold formed in either the annealed or aged conditions.
Annealing:
Annealing is done at 775 F for 3 hours at temperature, followed by controlled cooling at a rate of 50 F per hour down to 500 F, then air cool. A stress relief anneal (after cold working) may be done at 650 F with air cooling.
Aging:
Aging is done at different temperatures and times, depending upon the finished temper desired as follows : T6 350 F for 20 hours and air cool. T61 440 F for 6 hours and air cool. T63 380 F for 19 hours and air cool.