6082-O
Fully annealed. Use it for severe cold forming, coiling into springs of low duty, or when the part will be fully heat-treated after forming.
Aerospace drawn wire
6082-T6 Aluminium Wire for Aerospace & Engineering
6082-T6 wire is a drawn, heat-treated aluminium-magnesium-silicon wire that combines medium-high strength with good corrosion resistance and clean cold heading. It is the European structural 6xxx grade, used for pins, fastener blanks, clips and formed parts in aircraft interiors, ground equipment and general engineering. Metline supplies 6082 wire in T4 and T6, 1–15 mm diameter on coils or spools, certified and shipped worldwide.
- Alloy
- 6082 (Al-Si-Mg-Mn)
- Tempers
- O, T4, T6
- Diameter
- 1 – 15 mm
- Standards
- EN 1301 · EN 754 · EN 573-3
What is 6082 aluminium wire?
6082 is a heat-treatable 6xxx alloy in which silicon and magnesium form the Mg2Si strengthening phase, while a manganese addition of 0.4–1.0 % refines the grain and lifts strength above that of 6061. In T6 condition it is one of the strongest 6xxx alloys in general use.
As wire, 6082 is drawn from extruded or rolled redraw rod, solution heat-treated, quenched and artificially aged. The result is a round (or shaped) wire with a hard, clean surface that can be cut, headed, bent and threaded into small parts. Because the grade is the European counterpart of 6061, 6082 wire is common wherever designs are drawn to EN standards: aircraft cabin hardware, seat and galley components, ground-support equipment, drone frames and general engineering fasteners.
It is worth being clear about the aerospace status of this grade. The US federal and SAE wire specifications (the QQ-A-225 series) cover 6061, 6262, 2024, 7075 and other alloys, but not 6082. In aerospace work 6082 wire is therefore bought to EN standards or to the purchaser's own material specification, and it is used mainly for secondary structure, interiors and tooling rather than flight-critical primary structure.
6082 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits follow EN 573-3 for EN AW-6082 and the Aluminum Association registration. Each lot is supplied with a certificate giving its actual analysis.
| Element | Minimum | Maximum | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 0.70 | 1.30 | Forms Mg2Si with magnesium; excess Si adds strength |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.50 | Impurity; kept low for ductility in drawing |
| Copper (Cu) | — | 0.10 | Kept low to protect corrosion resistance |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.40 | 1.00 | Grain refinement and extra strength |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.60 | 1.20 | Main strengthening element with Si |
| Chromium (Cr) | — | 0.25 | Controls recrystallisation |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.20 | Impurity |
| Titanium (Ti) | — | 0.10 | Grain refiner |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder |
Mechanical properties of 6082 wire by temper
Values in the first rows are typical and for comparison only. The minimums are those set for drawn 6082 rod and bar in EN 754-2; drawn wire to EN 1301-2 is specified in the same way, and the certificate reports the tested results for your diameter.
| Temper | Tensile strength | Yield strength (0.2 %) | Elongation | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O (annealed), typical | ≈ 130 MPa | ≈ 60 MPa | ≥ 18 % | ≈ 35 HB |
| T4, typical | ≈ 230 MPa | ≈ 150 MPa | ≈ 15 % | ≈ 65 HB |
| T6, typical | ≈ 340 MPa | ≈ 310 MPa | ≈ 10 % | ≈ 95 HB |
| T6, drawn product minimum (≤ 80 mm) | 310 MPa | 255 MPa | 10 % (A) | — |
Elongation in fine wire is measured on a short gauge length and falls with diameter; small-diameter wire therefore carries lower elongation limits than bar.
Physical properties
- Density
- 2.70 g/cm³
- Modulus of elasticity
- ≈ 70 GPa
- Melting range
- ≈ 575 – 650 °C
- Thermal conductivity (T6)
- ≈ 170 W/m·K
- Electrical conductivity (T6)
- ≈ 40 – 45 % IACS
- Thermal expansion
- ≈ 23 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
Choosing between O, T4 and T6 wire
6082-T4
Solution treated and naturally aged. The best temper for cold heading pins and rivet-style fasteners, which can then be artificially aged to T6.
6082-T6
Solution treated and artificially aged for full strength. Supplied straight-cut or on spools for machining, bending and finished parts.
6082 wire standards and equivalents
| System | Designation / standard |
|---|---|
| European (EN) | EN AW-6082 [AlSi1MgMn]; wire to EN 1301-1/-2/-3; drawn rod to EN 754 |
| Aluminum Association / UNS | 6082 / A96082 |
| ISO | AlSi1MgMn (ISO 209) |
| German Werkstoff | 3.2315 |
| Former British | H30 family (seen as HE30, HF30 or HG30 on legacy drawings) |
| Nearest US aerospace alternative | 6061 wire to AMS-QQ-A-225/8 or ASTM B211 |
If your drawing quotes a US federal or SAE wire specification, check which alloy it actually covers before ordering. A drawing that calls for 6082 against a 6061 or 7075 specification is a common source of confusion, and we will flag it at the quotation stage.
Sizes and packing
6082 wire supply range
- Diameter
- 1.0 – 15 mm round; other sizes and square or flat wire on request
- Tempers
- O, T4, T6
- Tolerance
- To EN 1301-3 (drawn wire) or tighter on request
- Form
- Coils, spools, or straightened and cut lengths
- Surface
- Bright drawn, free of lubricant residue on request
- Documentation
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate with chemistry and tensile results
| Diameter (mm) | Weight (g/m) | Length per kg (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.1 | 472 |
| 1.6 | 5.4 | 184 |
| 2 | 8.5 | 118 |
| 3 | 19.1 | 52 |
| 4 | 33.9 | 29 |
| 5 | 53.0 | 19 |
| 6 | 76.3 | 13 |
| 8 | 135.7 | 7 |
| 10 | 212.1 | 5 |
| 12 | 305.4 | 3 |
| 15 | 477.1 | 2 |
Heading, machining, welding and finishing
Cold heading
Head in T4 or O, then age. Heading fully hardened T6 wire risks cracks at the head-shank radius.
Machining
In T6 the alloy machines well with sharp carbide or HSS tools and produces short chips. It is not a free-machining grade; for high-volume screw-machine work 6262 or 6026 cuts faster.
Welding
TIG and MIG weld with ER4043 or ER5356 filler. Expect strength loss in the heat-affected zone.
Anodising
Takes clear and coloured anodic films well, giving wear-resistant, corrosion-protected parts.
Corrosion
Good resistance in industrial and marine atmospheres thanks to its low copper content.
Temperature
Service above about 150 °C for long periods over-ages the alloy and lowers strength.
Where 6082 wire is used
- Aircraft interiors: pins, clips, seat and galley hardware, trim fixings
- Ground-support equipment: fasteners, guards, handles and brackets
- Drones and light aviation: pushrods, small fittings, antenna supports
- Fasteners: rivet and pin blanks headed in T4 and aged to T6
- General engineering: formed parts, shafts and turned components in coastal or outdoor service
6082 wire compared with 6061, 6262 and 7075 wire
| Property | 6082-T6 | 6061-T6 | 6262-T9 | 7075-T73 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical tensile strength | ≈ 340 MPa | ≈ 310 MPa | ≈ 400 MPa | ≈ 505 MPa |
| Machinability | Good | Good | Excellent (free-cutting) | Very good |
| Corrosion resistance | Very good | Very good | Good | Good (T73) |
| US aerospace wire spec | None | AMS-QQ-A-225/8 | AMS-QQ-A-225/10 | AMS-QQ-A-225/9 |
| Typical use | EN-standard parts | General aerospace | Screw-machine parts | High-strength fasteners |
How to order 6082 wire
- SpecifyAlloy and temper, diameter and tolerance, standard (EN 1301 or your own specification), coil or cut-length form and quantity.
- QuoteWe confirm availability, certification and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP).
- InspectDiameter, surface and tensile results are checked against the order.
- DocumentEN 10204 3.1 mill certificate and packing list with every shipment.
- ShipCoils or spools in moisture-protected, export-packed cases by sea or air.
References and standards
- EN 1301-2 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: drawn wire, mechanical properties
- EN 754-2 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: cold drawn rod/bar and tube, mechanical properties
- EN 573-3 – Chemical composition and form of wrought products
- SAE AMS-QQ-A-225/9 – Aluminum Alloy 7075, Bar, Rod, Wire and Special Shapes (for comparison)
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets)
6082 aluminium wire: frequently asked questions
Is 6082 wire approved for aircraft use?
There is no US federal or SAE wire specification for 6082. It is used in aerospace when the drawing or the purchaser's material specification calls for it, usually under EN 1301, and mostly for interiors, secondary structure and ground equipment.
What is the difference between 6082 and 6061 wire?
6082 contains more silicon and manganese and less copper. It is slightly stronger in T6 and has similar or better corrosion resistance. 6061 is the US standard grade with aerospace wire specifications; 6082 is the European standard grade.
Can I cold head 6082-T6 wire?
Light heading is possible, but heading in T4 or O temper and then ageing to T6 gives better results and avoids cracking at the head.
How much does 6082 wire weigh?
Weight in grams per metre is 2.12 × d², with d in millimetres. A 5 mm wire weighs about 53 g/m, so one kilogram is roughly 19 m long.
Which certificate comes with 6082 wire?
An EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate with the chemical analysis and tensile results of the lot. Third-party inspection can be arranged on request.
Need 6082 wire for aerospace or engineering parts?
Send the diameter, temper, quantity and destination. We will reply with availability, certification and a delivered price.
