Drawing stock guide

6101 and 6201 Aluminium Wire Rod in T4 Temper

6101 and 6201 wire rod is continuously cast and rolled aluminium-magnesium-silicon rod, quenched to the T4 condition so that cable makers can draw it to wire and then age it. The finished wire is much stronger than EC-grade wire, which makes it the raw material for all-aluminium-alloy conductors (AAAC) and other high-strength conductors. This guide explains how the rod is made, what properties to specify and how it is supplied.

By Metline Technical Team · Updated 17 October 2026

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Large coils of aluminium alloy wire rod for conductor drawing

Alloys: 6101, 6201
Temper: T4 (solution treated, quenched)
Common size: 9.5 mm rod
End product: AAAC and alloy conductor wire

Process

How alloy wire rod is made and used

Continuous castingMolten alloy of controlled chemistry is cast into a continuous bar on a casting wheel.
Hot rollingThe bar passes directly into a rolling mill and is reduced to rod, typically 9.5 mm.
Quenching to T4The hot rod is rapidly cooled so magnesium and silicon stay in solid solution; it then naturally ages at room temperature.
Drawing (at the cable maker)The rod is cold drawn through dies to wire, typically 2 – 4.5 mm for overhead strands.
Artificial ageingWire is aged in ovens, precipitating Mg₂Si to reach the required strength and conductivity, for example 6201-T81.

Because the final properties are developed by drawing and ageing, the rod must arrive with consistent chemistry, a fully retained solid solution and a clean, defect-free surface. Rod that was cooled too slowly, or that contains surface laps and inclusions, causes wire breaks on the drawing line and scattered properties in the finished conductor.

Chemical composition

6101 and 6201 composition (wt %)

Element	6101	6201
Silicon (Si)	0.30 – 0.70	0.50 – 0.90
Iron (Fe)	≤ 0.50	≤ 0.50
Copper (Cu)	≤ 0.10	≤ 0.10
Manganese (Mn)	≤ 0.03	≤ 0.03
Magnesium (Mg)	0.35 – 0.80	0.60 – 0.90
Chromium (Cr)	≤ 0.03	≤ 0.03
Zinc (Zn)	≤ 0.10	≤ 0.10
Boron (B)	≤ 0.06	≤ 0.06
Others, each / total	≤ 0.03 / 0.10	≤ 0.03 / 0.10
Aluminium (Al)	Remainder	Remainder

Limits are the Aluminum Association registrations followed by EN 573-3. Cable makers often tighten the Mg and Si ranges inside these limits to hit a particular strength and conductivity target after ageing.

Properties

Properties of T4 rod and of the finished wire

There is no single international standard fixing rod properties, so limits are set in the purchase specification. Published producer data for 9.5 mm T4 rod commonly show tensile strengths in the range of about 160 – 200 MPa and elongation above 10 %, with resistivity limits around 0.0335 Ω·mm²/m (about 51.5 % IACS) for the rod. Values vary with alloy, producer and diameter, so agree the numbers before ordering.

Specify on the rod	Why it matters
Tensile strength range	Too high and the rod work-hardens and breaks during drawing; too low suggests poor quenching
Elongation minimum	Indicates ductility for drawing
Maximum resistivity at 20 °C	Confirms correct chemistry and solution state
Diameter and ovality	Affects die life and wire uniformity
Surface quality	No laps, cracks, inclusions, oil or corrosion

After drawing and ageing, 6201 wire must meet the conductor standard, for example ASTM B398 (6201-T81, 52.5 % IACS minimum), IEC 60104 or EN 50183. The rod specification should be chosen so that this target is met with margin.

Supply

Sizes, coils and packing

Typical supply

Diameter: 9.5 mm standard; 12 mm and other sizes by arrangement
Temper: T4 (some buyers specify T1 for particular processes)
Coil: Large coils, each strapped with steel or polyester bands in at least three places
Labelling: Tag on each coil with alloy, temper, size, lot number and net weight
Certificate: Chemistry, tensile, elongation and resistivity per lot, to EN 10204 3.1

Rod diameter (mm)	Area (mm²)	Mass (kg/km)
7.5	44.179	119.28
9.5	70.882	191.38
12	113.097	305.36
15	176.715	477.13

Applications

What the rod becomes

AAAC conductors: all-aluminium-alloy overhead conductors made entirely of 6201-type wire.
ACAR conductors: alloy wire combined with EC aluminium strands for a balance of strength and conductivity.
Aerial bundled cable: alloy messenger or phase conductors for LV and MV overhead cable.
Earthing and lightning-protection conductors.
Special conductors: braids, flexible links and strand for cables needing extra strength.

Ordering

Buying checklist

Alloy and temper6101-T4 or 6201-T4, with any tightened Mg/Si window.
Property limitsTensile range, elongation minimum and maximum resistivity at 20 °C.
DimensionsDiameter, tolerance and ovality.
Coil requirementsCoil weight, inside and outside diameter, strapping and protection.
Documents and termsMill certificate per lot; EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP.

Sources

References and standards

EN 573-3 – Chemical composition and form of wrought products
ASTM B398/B398M – Aluminum-Alloy 6201-T81 and 6201-T83 Wire for Electrical Purposes
IEC 60104 – Aluminium-magnesium-silicon alloy wire for overhead line conductors
EN 50183 – Conductors for overhead lines: aluminium-magnesium-silicon alloy wires
The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits

FAQ

6101 / 6201 aluminium (aluminum) wire rod: FAQ

Why is alloy wire rod supplied in T4?

T4 keeps magnesium and silicon in solid solution, so the rod is ductile enough to draw and can then be aged to high strength as finished wire.

What is the difference between 6101 and 6201 rod?

6201 has more magnesium and silicon, giving stronger wire with slightly lower conductivity; it is the usual choice for AAAC. 6101 gives a little more conductivity and less strength.

What size is alloy wire rod?

9.5 mm is the standard diameter for drawing; 12 mm and other sizes are available by arrangement.

Which standard does the finished wire meet?

Typically ASTM B398 (6201-T81), IEC 60104 or EN 50183, depending on the market.

Can EC-grade rod be used instead?

Only where strength is not needed. EC (1350) rod gives higher conductivity but much lower strength and cannot be aged.