Machining
T6 cuts cleanly with sharp carbide or HSS tools at high speed. Chips break better than in 6063; for long runs of small turned parts, a free-cutting alloy such as 2011 or 6262 is faster.
Structural bar for Europe and beyond
6082 T6 / T6511 Aluminium Bar & Rod
6082 is the highest-strength common 6xxx alloy for bar and the standard structural choice in Europe, where it largely replaced 6061. In T6 it gives a minimum proof stress of 260 MPa in mid-size bar under EN 755-2, with good corrosion resistance, weldability and machinability. Metline supplies 6082 round, square, flat and hex bar in T6, T6511, T4 and O, cut to length and certified, worldwide.
- Alloy
- EN AW-6082 (AlSi1MgMn)
- Tempers
- T6, T6511, T651, T4, O
- Shapes
- Round, square, flat, hex
- Standards
- EN 755-2 · EN 754-2
Why 6082 bar is the European structural standard
6082 contains more silicon and magnesium than 6061 and, importantly, 0.4 – 1.0 % manganese. Manganese keeps the grain fine during extrusion and heat treatment, which gives 6082 slightly higher strength than 6061 in most bar sizes and good toughness. Copper is held to 0.10 % maximum, so its general corrosion resistance is very good.
Because 6082 was the alloy specified in British and German structural codes (as HE30 and AlMgSi1), it became the default "engineering aluminium" across Europe, the Middle East, India and much of Asia. It is used for machined parts, structural members, bridge and crane components, and transport fittings, and it is listed in Eurocode 9 (EN 1999-1-1) for structural design.
In bar form, 6082 is mostly extruded. Large diameters, flats and squares come as extruded T6 or T6511, while small precision diameters can be supplied cold-drawn to EN 754-2 for closer tolerances and a brighter surface.
6082 composition (wt %)
Limits per EN 573-3 and the Aluminum Association registration for 6082.
| Element | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 0.70 | 1.30 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.60 | 1.20 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.40 | 1.00 |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.50 |
| Chromium (Cr) | — | 0.25 |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.20 |
| Copper (Cu) | — | 0.10 |
| Titanium (Ti) | — | 0.10 |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder |
Mechanical properties of 6082 bar
Specified minimums for extruded round, square, hexagonal and rectangular bar. The size column is the diameter, or the thickness for flat and square bar.
| Temper and size (EN 755-2, extruded bar) | Tensile Rm min. | Proof Rp0.2 min. | Elongation A min. |
|---|---|---|---|
| O / H111, ≤ 200 mm | 160 MPa max. | 110 MPa max. | 14 % |
| T4, ≤ 200 mm | 205 MPa | 110 MPa | 14 % |
| T6, ≤ 20 mm | 295 MPa | 250 MPa | 8 % |
| T6, over 20 to 150 mm | 310 MPa | 260 MPa | 8 % |
| T6, over 150 to 200 mm | 280 MPa | 240 MPa | 6 % |
| T6, over 200 to 250 mm | 270 MPa | 200 MPa | 6 % |
Typical 6082-T6 bar in the 20 – 100 mm range tests at about 320 – 340 MPa tensile and 280 – 310 MPa proof stress. Larger sections cool more slowly when quenched, which is why the minimums step down above 150 mm. Typical values are for comparison; design to the specified minimums and the certificate.
Physical properties of 6082-T6 (typical)
- Density
- 2.70 g/cm³ (0.098 lb/in³)
- Modulus of elasticity
- about 70 GPa
- Thermal conductivity
- about 170 – 180 W/m·K
- Electrical conductivity
- about 40 – 45 % IACS
- Coefficient of thermal expansion
- about 23.1 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
- Melting range
- about 555 – 650 °C
- Brinell hardness
- about 90 – 100 HB
Which 6082 temper to order
| Temper | Condition | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| T6 | Solution treated, quenched, artificially aged | Default for structural and machined parts |
| T6511 / T651 | T6 plus controlled stretching (and minor straightening) | Machined parts that must stay flat and true; lower residual stress |
| T5 | Press-quenched and aged (profiles mainly) | Thin profiles; rarely used for solid bar |
| T4 | Solution treated, naturally aged | Forming or bending, then aged to T6 by the user |
| O | Annealed | Severe forming, swaging or as forging stock |
6082 is quench sensitive: if a thick bar is cooled too slowly after solution treatment, its core will not reach full T6 strength. For bars over about 150 mm, ask for certified properties at the size you are buying, or for test pieces taken from the bar centre when the part is highly loaded.
6082 bar shapes, sizes and weights
| Shape | Typical size range | Tolerance standard (EN) |
|---|---|---|
| Round bar | about 6 – 300 mm diameter (larger by forging or cast-and-turned) | EN 755-3 extruded, EN 754-3 drawn |
| Square bar | about 10 – 150 mm | EN 755-4 extruded, EN 754-4 drawn |
| Flat / rectangular bar | about 3 – 100 mm thick, up to about 400 mm wide | EN 755-5 extruded, EN 754-5 drawn |
| Hexagonal bar | about 6 – 80 mm across flats | EN 755-6 extruded, EN 754-6 drawn |
Theoretical weight per metre at 2.70 g/cm³. Round = 0.002121 × d², square = 0.0027 × a², hex = 0.002338 × s² (s across flats, all in mm).
| Size (mm) | Round kg/m | Square kg/m | Hex kg/m |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 0.136 | 0.173 | 0.150 |
| 10 | 0.212 | 0.270 | 0.234 |
| 12 | 0.305 | 0.389 | 0.337 |
| 16 | 0.543 | 0.691 | 0.599 |
| 20 | 0.848 | 1.08 | 0.935 |
| 25 | 1.33 | 1.69 | 1.46 |
| 30 | 1.91 | 2.43 | 2.10 |
| 35 | 2.60 | 3.31 | 2.86 |
| 40 | 3.39 | 4.32 | 3.74 |
| 50 | 5.30 | 6.75 | 5.85 |
| 60 | 7.63 | 9.72 | 8.42 |
| 70 | 10.39 | 13.23 | 11.46 |
| 80 | 13.57 | 17.28 | 14.96 |
| 100 | 21.21 | 27.00 | 23.38 |
| 120 | 30.54 | 38.88 | 33.67 |
| 150 | 47.71 | 60.75 | 52.61 |
Lengths and processing
- Standard lengths
- 3 m to about 6 m; random or fixed lengths
- Cutting
- Saw-cut blanks, blocks and discs to your sizes
- Marking
- Alloy, temper and lot marked on bar ends or labels
- Flat bar detail
- See also 6082 plate for wide sections
Standards and equivalents
| System | Designation | Standard for bar and rod |
|---|---|---|
| European | EN AW-6082 (AlSi1MgMn) | EN 755-2 (extruded properties), EN 754-2 (drawn), EN 755-3 / -4 / -5 / -6 (tolerances by shape) |
| UNS | A96082 | — |
| Germany | Werkstoff 3.2315 (AlMgSi1) | DIN EN 755 / 754 |
| United Kingdom (old) | HE30 / H30 | BS 1474 (withdrawn, replaced by EN 755) |
| ISO | AlSi1MgMn | ISO 6362 series |
| India | 64430 | IS 733 |
| USA | 6082 (registered alloy) | Ordered to EN 755-2 or to ASTM B221 where the edition lists it; state agreed minimums |
6082 and 6061 are close but not identical. 6061 has more copper and chromium; 6082 has more silicon and manganese. Many drawings accept either, but you should not substitute one for the other without the designer's approval, especially where welding, anodising colour or a quoted standard is involved. See 6061 vs 6082.
Machining, welding and finishing 6082 bar
Stress and distortion
Use T6511 or T651 bar for parts with pockets or deep bores, and rough before finishing to release remaining stress.
Welding
MIG and TIG weld well with ER5356 or ER4043 filler. Eurocode 9 gives reduced HAZ strength for 6082-T6, so design welded joints accordingly.
Bending
T6 bends only on generous radii. For tight bends, use T4 or O and age after forming.
Anodising
Gives good protective films. Colour can look slightly greyer and less uniform than 6063 because of the manganese content.
Corrosion
Very good in atmosphere and in many marine settings; insulate from steel and copper to prevent galvanic attack.
Applications of 6082 bar
- Machined parts: housings, manifolds, brackets, couplings and fixture components
- Structures: truss and scaffold fittings, bridge and walkway parts, crane and lifting components
- Transport: rail, truck and trailer fittings, suspension brackets and machined automotive parts
- Marine and offshore: deck fittings and gangway parts (class approval by agreement)
- Electrical: busbar and conductor fittings where strength matters more than conductivity
- Forging stock: extruded bar cut to slugs for closed-die forging
6082 bar versus alternative grades
| Alloy | Min. proof stress, extruded T6 (20 – 150 mm) | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| 6082-T6 | 260 MPa | European and Indian specifications; structural and machined parts |
| 6061-T6 | 240 MPa | ASTM / AMS specifications; better anodised appearance and wider US availability |
| 6063-T6 | 170 MPa | Decorative and architectural parts |
| 7075-T6 | over 400 MPa | Highly loaded parts where weldability is not needed |
| 5083-H111 | about 110 – 125 MPa | Severe marine exposure and welded structures without heat treatment |
How to order 6082 bar
- SpecifyAlloy and temper (for example 6082-T6 round, 60 mm), shape and size, length or cut pieces, quantity, and the governing standard (EN 755-2 with EN 755-3 tolerances).
- QuoteWe confirm availability, tolerance class, certification and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP) for your destination.
- ProcessBars are cut to length or to blanks on request, end-marked with alloy, temper and lot number, and inspected for size, straightness and surface.
- DocumentEach shipment carries a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 with chemistry and tensile results, plus the packing list; third-party inspection on request.
- ShipBundles are wrapped and packed in seaworthy wooden cases or on pallets and sent by sea or air to your port or door.
References and standards
- EN 755-2 – Extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles: mechanical properties
- EN 754-2 – Cold drawn rod/bar and tube: mechanical properties
- EN 573-3 – Chemical composition and form of wrought products
- EN 1999-1-1 (Eurocode 9) – Design of aluminium structures: general structural rules
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
6082 aluminium (aluminum) bar: frequently asked questions
Is 6082 stronger than 6061?
Slightly, in most bar sizes. EN 755-2 gives 6082-T6 extruded bar from 20 to 150 mm a minimum proof stress of 260 MPa, against 240 MPa for 6061-T6. The difference is small; the choice is usually set by which standard your drawing calls for.
Can 6061 be used instead of 6082?
Often, but only with the designer's approval. The two have different chemistry and slightly different minimums, welding behaviour and anodised colour. Certificates must show the alloy actually ordered.
What does T6511 mean on 6082 bar?
The bar was solution treated, quenched, stretched to relieve residual stress, allowed minor straightening, and then artificially aged. It distorts less when machined than plain T6.
What is the old British name for 6082?
HE30 for extrusions (H30 in general) under the withdrawn BS 1474 and BS 1470 standards. In German practice it was AlMgSi1, Werkstoff 3.2315.
Is 6082 bar suitable for marine use?
It has very good resistance to marine atmosphere and is used for deck fittings and gangways. For welded hull structure in constant seawater contact, 5083 or 5086 is usually preferred.
Why are properties lower for very large 6082 bars?
6082 is quench sensitive. The centre of a large bar cools more slowly, so it cannot reach full T6 strength. EN 755-2 therefore lowers the minimums above 150 mm diameter.
Need 6082 bar?
Send shape, size, temper, length and quantity. We will reply with availability, certification and a delivered price.
