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European structural plate

6082 T6 & T651 Aluminium Sheet and Plate

6082 is the standard heat-treatable structural aluminium alloy in Europe, the Middle East and much of Asia, with the highest strength of the common 6xxx grades. 6082-T651 plate machines well, welds readily and resists corrosion, making it the usual choice for machined parts, structural plates and welded frames built to EN standards. Metline supplies 6082 sheet and plate in T6, T651 and other tempers, cut to size, worldwide.

6082-T651 aluminium plates cut to size for machining
Alloy
EN AW-6082 (AlSi1MgMn)
Tempers
O, T4, T6, T651
Thickness
0.5 – 250 mm
Standards
EN 485 · EN 573-3
Overview

What is 6082 aluminium plate?

6082 is an Al-Si-Mg-Mn alloy. It carries more silicon than 6061 and a substantial manganese addition (0.4 – 1.0 %) instead of copper. Manganese controls grain structure and gives a fine-grained, tough plate, while the silicon excess pushes aged strength slightly above 6061 in thick sections.

The alloy replaced the British HE30/H30 and German AlMgSi1 grades and is now the reference structural 6xxx alloy in EN 1999 (Eurocode 9) design. It is supplied as sheet, plate, bar, tube and extrusions, which lets designers keep one alloy across a whole fabrication.

In practice, 6082-T651 is to European workshops what 6061-T651 is in North America: the default plate for jigs, fixtures, base plates, machine frames, vehicle parts and offshore and marine fittings. The two are close substitutes, but they are not identical, so a substitution should always be checked against the design standard.

Chemical composition

6082 chemical composition (wt %)

ElementMinimumMaximumRole
Silicon (Si)0.701.30Forms Mg2Si with Mg; excess Si adds strength
Iron (Fe)—0.50Impurity
Copper (Cu)—0.10Kept low for corrosion resistance
Manganese (Mn)0.401.00Grain control, toughness and strength
Magnesium (Mg)0.601.20Main strengthening element with Si
Chromium (Cr)—0.25Grain control
Zinc (Zn)—0.20Impurity
Titanium (Ti)—0.10Grain refiner
Others, each / total—0.05 / 0.15
Aluminium (Al)Remainder

Limits per EN 573-3 and the Aluminum Association registration. Actual analysis is reported on each mill certificate.

Properties

6082 mechanical properties by temper and thickness

EN 485-2 sets minimum properties that fall as plate gets thicker, because thick sections cool more slowly during quenching. The table summarises the commonly published minimums; your certificate will show the exact limits and test results for the thickness ordered.

TemperThicknessTensile Rm (min)Proof Rp0.2 (min)Elongation (min)
O0.4 – 25 mm≤ 150 MPa≤ 85 MPa14 – 18 %
T4 / T4510.4 – 25 mm205 MPa110 MPa12 – 14 %
T60.4 – 6 mm310 MPa260 MPa6 – 10 %
T6516 – 12.5 mm300 MPa255 MPa9 %
T65112.5 – 100 mm295 MPa240 MPa7 – 8 %
T651100 – 150 mm275 MPa240 MPa6 %

Typical T6/T651 results in thinner plate are around 330 – 340 MPa tensile and 300 – 310 MPa proof stress.

Physical properties

Density
2.70 g/cm³
Modulus of elasticity
about 70 GPa
Thermal conductivity
about 172 W/m·K (T6)
Coefficient of thermal expansion
23.4 µm/m·°C
Melting range
about 555 – 650 °C
Tempers

Which 6082 temper to order

6082-T651

Solution treated, stretched to relieve stress and aged. Standard for plate over about 6 mm that will be machined; stays flat as material is removed.

6082-T6

Same strength without stretching. Normal for sheet up to about 6 mm used flat or lightly formed.

6082-T4 / T451

Naturally aged; easier to form. Age to T6 after forming if strength is needed.

6082-O

Annealed for maximum formability. Re-heat-treat after forming to restore strength.

Standards

6082 standards and equivalents

SystemDesignationStandard
European (EN)EN AW-6082 / AlSi1MgMnEN 485-1/-2/-3/-4, EN 573-3
German Werkstoff3.2315 (formerly AlMgSi1)DIN EN 485
British (former)HE30 / H30 (HS30 sheet)Superseded by EN
UNSA96082—
ISOAlSi1MgMnISO 6361
India (IS)64430IS 736 / IS 737
China (GB)6082GB/T 3880, GB/T 3190
Supply range

6082 sizes and weights

Supply range

Sheet
0.5 – 6 mm, T6 or T4
Plate
6 – 250 mm, T651
Width × length
1250 × 2500, 1500 × 3000, 2000 × 4000 mm; up to about 2500 mm wide
Processing
Saw cutting, waterjet profiling and precision-milled plate to drawing
Thickness (mm)kg per m²1250 × 2500 mm (kg)1500 × 3000 mm (kg)
12.708.412.2
25.4016.924.3
38.1025.336.5
410.8033.848.6
513.5042.260.8
616.2050.672.9
821.6067.597.2
1027.0084.4121.5
1232.40101.3145.8
1540.50126.6182.2
2054.00168.8243.0
2567.50210.9303.8
3081.00253.1364.5
40108.00337.5486.0
50135.00421.9607.5
60162.00506.2729.0
80216.00675.0972.0
100270.00843.81215.0
Working with 6082

Machining, welding, forming and finishing

Machining

Good in T6/T651, with short chips when tools are sharp. T651 minimises distortion in pocketed parts. Use carbide with high positive rake and flood coolant.

Welding

Readily welded by MIG and TIG with 4043, 5356 or 5183 filler. EN 1999-1-1 applies reduced strength in the heat-affected zone, typically to around half of the T6 proof stress, so welds are placed away from peak stresses.

Forming

Thin T6 sheet bends with inside radii of about 1.5 – 3 × thickness. For tight forming, use O or T4 and age afterwards.

Anodising

Gives a good protective anodised finish, though slightly less bright than 6063; the manganese can give a faint grey tint.

Corrosion

Good resistance to atmospheric and marine exposure; copper content is low, so it outperforms copper-bearing alloys in salt air.

Temperature

Like other aged 6xxx alloys, strength falls with prolonged exposure above about 150 °C.

Applications

Where 6082 plate is used

  • Engineering and automation: base plates, jigs, fixtures, machine frames and gantries
  • Transport: trailer and truck components, rail vehicle parts, crane and lifting structures
  • Construction: structural plates, bridge and walkway components, scaffolding fittings designed to EN 1999
  • Marine and offshore: brackets, gangways and topside fittings
  • Moulds and tooling: prototype moulds and low-volume tooling
Comparison

6082 vs 6061 vs 7020

Property6082-T6516061-T6517020-T651
Typical tensile strength330 – 340 MPa310 MPaabout 360 – 380 MPa
Typical yield strength300 – 310 MPa276 MPaabout 300 – 320 MPa
WeldabilityGoodGoodGood (HAZ recovers by natural ageing)
Main standard systemENASTM / AMSEN

See 6061 vs 6082 for a detailed comparison, or 7020 plate when a weldable alloy with more strength is needed.

Ordering

How to order 6082 plate

  1. SpecifyAlloy and temper (for example 6082-T651, 20 × 1500 × 3000 mm), thickness, width and length or a drawing, quantity, and the governing standard (EN 485 / EN 573-3 or your drawing).
  2. QuoteWe confirm availability, tolerances, certification and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP) for your destination.
  3. ProcessPlate is saw-cut or waterjet-cut to size where required, film-protected on request and inspected for dimensions and surface.
  4. DocumentEach shipment carries a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 with chemistry and mechanical results, plus the packing list; third-party inspection can be arranged.
  5. ShipSeaworthy wooden cases or fumigated pallets, dispatched by sea or air to your port or door.
Sources

References and standards

  1. EN 485-2 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: sheet, strip and plate, mechanical properties
  2. EN 573-3 – Chemical composition and form of wrought products
  3. EN 1999-1-1 (Eurocode 9) – Design of aluminium structures: general structural rules
  4. The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
  5. European Aluminium – technical resources
FAQ

6082 aluminium (aluminum) plate: FAQ

What is the difference between 6082-T6 and 6082-T651?

Both are solution treated and artificially aged. T651 is also stretched after quenching to relieve internal stress, so it stays flat when machined. T6 is normal for sheet; T651 for plate.

Is 6082 the same as 6061?

No, but they are close substitutes. 6082 uses manganese instead of copper and is slightly stronger in thick plate; 6061 anodises a little brighter and is more common in the Americas.

Is 6082 good for welding?

Yes. It welds well by MIG and TIG with 4043, 5356 or 5183 filler, but the heat-affected zone loses roughly half its proof strength, which design codes account for.

What is the old British name for 6082?

HE30 for extrusions and H30 / HS30 for other forms. Many drawings still use these names.

How much does 6082 plate weigh?

2.70 kg per m² per millimetre. A 1500 × 3000 × 10 mm plate weighs about 121.5 kg.

Need 6082 plate cut to size?

Send the temper, thickness, size, quantity and destination. We will confirm availability, certification and a delivered price.