T6
Solution treated and artificially aged. Good strength, very good machinability.
Free-machining aerospace bar
6262 Aerospace Aluminium Bar (T6, T651, T9)
6262 is the free-machining version of 6061: the same magnesium-silicon base with lead and bismuth added so that chips break cleanly on automatic lathes. It is used for precision turned parts such as hydraulic fittings, valve bodies, pistons and connectors, and for aerospace parts made to AMS-QQ-A-225/10. Metline supplies 6262 round, hex and square bar in T6, T651 and T9, certified and shipped worldwide.
- Alloy
- 6262 (Al-Mg-Si-Pb-Bi)
- Tempers
- T6, T651, T6511, T9
- Diameter
- 5 – 200 mm
- Standards
- ASTM B211 · B221 · AMS-QQ-A-225/10
What is 6262 aluminium bar?
6262 combines the corrosion resistance and anodising response of 6061 with the machining speed of a free-cutting alloy. About 0.4–0.7 % each of lead and bismuth form tiny soft particles that melt locally at the cutting edge, so chips break into small curls instead of long strings.
This matters most on multi-spindle and Swiss-type lathes, where long chips wrap around tools and stop production. With 6262, parts can be turned at high speed with short cycle times and fine surface finishes. Unlike the older free-machining alloy 2011, 6262 keeps good corrosion resistance and takes a clear or hard anodic coating well, which is why it is favoured for anodised hydraulic and pneumatic parts.
The usual high-strength temper is T9: solution treated, artificially aged, then cold drawn to raise strength further. T6 and T651 give 6061-level strength with better machinability. In aerospace, 6262 bar is bought to AMS-QQ-A-225/10 or ASTM B211 for fittings, couplings and small turned parts in hydraulic, fuel and air systems.
6262 chemical composition (wt %)
Registered limits, as used in ASTM B211, B221 and EN 573-3 (EN AW-6262, AlMg1SiPb).
| Element | Minimum | Maximum | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 0.40 | 0.80 | Forms Mg2Si with magnesium |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.70 | Impurity |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.15 | 0.40 | Adds strength |
| Manganese (Mn) | — | 0.15 | Grain control |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.80 | 1.20 | Main strengthening element |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.04 | 0.14 | Controls recrystallisation |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.25 | Impurity |
| Titanium (Ti) | — | 0.15 | Grain refiner |
| Bismuth (Bi) | 0.40 | 0.70 | Free-machining: forms low-melting particles that break chips |
| Lead (Pb) | 0.40 | 0.70 | Free-machining, works with bismuth |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder |
Mechanical properties of 6262 bar by temper
Typical values are handbook figures for comparison. Specified minimums for cold-finished bar (ASTM B211 and AMS-QQ-A-225/10) depend on diameter; the values shown are for the most common size bands.
| Temper | Tensile strength | Yield strength (0.2 %) | Elongation | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T6 / T651, typical | ≈ 310 MPa (45 ksi) | ≈ 276 MPa (40 ksi) | ≈ 10 – 12 % | ≈ 95 HB |
| T6 / T651, minimum (to 200 mm) | 290 MPa (42 ksi) | 240 MPa (35 ksi) | 10 % | — |
| T9, typical | ≈ 400 MPa (58 ksi) | ≈ 380 MPa (55 ksi) | ≈ 10 % | ≈ 120 HB |
| T9, minimum (3 – 50 mm) | 360 MPa (52 ksi) | 330 MPa (48 ksi) | 5 % | — |
| T9, minimum (50 – 75 mm) | 345 MPa (50 ksi) | 315 MPa (46 ksi) | 5 % | — |
An earlier version of this page gave about 440 MPa tensile strength for T6. That figure is not supported by published data; 6262-T6 is close to 6061-T6, and only cold-worked T9 reaches about 400 MPa.
Physical properties
- Density
- 2.72 g/cm³
- Modulus of elasticity
- ≈ 69 GPa
- Melting range
- ≈ 580 – 650 °C
- Thermal conductivity (T9)
- ≈ 170 W/m·K
- Electrical conductivity (T9)
- ≈ 44 % IACS
6262 tempers explained
T651
As T6, stretched to relieve quench stress. Stays straight and stable when turned or milled.
T6511
Extruded bar, stretched and minor-straightened; the usual form for larger diameters.
T9
Solution treated, aged, then cold drawn. Highest strength and the best chip breaking; the standard screw-machine temper.
T73 and T74 are over-aged tempers for 7xxx alloys and do not apply to 6262, even though they sometimes appear in supplier listings.
Standards and equivalents
| System | Designation / standard |
|---|---|
| ASTM | B211 (cold-finished bar, rod and wire); B221 (extruded bar and rod) |
| Aerospace | AMS-QQ-A-225/10 (6262 bar, rod and wire, rolled, drawn or cold finished) |
| UNS | A96262 |
| European (EN) | EN AW-6262 [AlMg1SiPb]; EN 754 (drawn), EN 755 (extruded) |
| ISO | AlMg1SiPb |
| Japan (JIS) | A6262 (JIS H4040 bar) |
Sizes we supply
6262 bar supply range
- Round bar
- 5 – 75 mm cold drawn (T9, T6); larger diameters extruded (T6511) to about 200 mm
- Hex and square bar
- Common across-flats sizes from 6 to 75 mm
- Length
- 3 m or 3.66 m (12 ft) standard; cut lengths on request
- Tolerance
- ASTM B211 / ANSI H35.2 or EN 754-3; precision drawn h9–h11 on request
- Certification
- EN 10204 3.1 with chemistry and tensile results
| Diameter (mm) | kg per metre | kg per 3 m bar |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 0.08 | 0.23 |
| 8 | 0.14 | 0.41 |
| 10 | 0.21 | 0.64 |
| 12 | 0.31 | 0.92 |
| 16 | 0.55 | 1.64 |
| 20 | 0.85 | 2.56 |
| 25 | 1.34 | 4.01 |
| 30 | 1.92 | 5.77 |
| 40 | 3.42 | 10.25 |
| 50 | 5.34 | 16.02 |
| 60 | 7.69 | 23.07 |
| 75 | 12.02 | 36.05 |
Machining, finishing and joining
Machining
Rated among the most machinable aluminium alloys. Use high speeds, positive-rake carbide or HSS tools and soluble-oil coolant; expect small broken chips and fine finishes.
Anodising
Takes clear, coloured and hard anodic films; the lead-bismuth particles can leave slight speckling in very thick hard coats.
Welding
Not recommended: the low-melting lead and bismuth cause hot cracking. Join by threads, crimping or mechanical fasteners.
Corrosion
Good, close to 6061. Much better than 2011 for parts exposed to moisture.
Where 6262 bar is used
- Aircraft hydraulic and fuel systems: fittings, couplings, union nuts and valve bodies
- Pneumatics: cylinder end caps, pistons and manifolds
- Connectors and electronics: anodised housings and contact bodies
- Automotive and industrial: brake and transmission parts, camera and optics hardware
- Fasteners: screws, nuts and inserts made on automatic lathes
6262 compared with 6061, 2011 and 6026
| Property | 6262-T9 | 6061-T6 | 2011-T3 | 6026-T9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical tensile strength | ≈ 400 MPa | ≈ 310 MPa | ≈ 380 MPa | Similar to 6262 |
| Machinability | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Corrosion resistance | Good | Very good | Poor | Good |
| Anodising | Good | Excellent | Poor | Good |
| Lead content | Yes | No | Yes (most grades) | Low or none |
How to order 6262 bar
- SpecifyShape and size, temper (T6, T651 or T9), specification (ASTM B211, AMS-QQ-A-225/10), length and quantity.
- QuoteWe confirm availability, tolerance, certification and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP).
- DocumentEN 10204 3.1 mill certificate with each lot.
- ShipBundled bars in export cases protected against moisture, by sea or air.
References and standards
- ASTM B211 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Rolled or Cold-Finished Bar, Rod and Wire
- ASTM B221 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles and Tubes
- SAE AMS-QQ-A-225/10 – Aluminum Alloy 6262, Bar, Rod and Wire
- EN 573-3 – Chemical composition and form of wrought products
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets)
6262 aluminium (aluminum) bar: frequently asked questions
What is 6262 aluminium used for?
Precision turned parts made in high volume, such as hydraulic and pneumatic fittings, valve bodies, connectors and fasteners, where fast machining and good corrosion resistance are both needed.
What does the T9 temper mean?
T9 is solution heat-treated, artificially aged and then cold worked. The cold drawing after ageing raises strength to about 400 MPa typical and improves chip breaking.
Is 6262 the same as 6061?
The base chemistry is very close, but 6262 adds about 0.4–0.7 % each of lead and bismuth for free machining and has a narrower chromium range. It is not weldable, while 6061 is.
Is 6262 RoHS compliant?
Its lead content exceeds the RoHS and ELV limits for many products. Aerospace parts are usually outside these rules; where they apply, a lead-free grade such as 6026 is used instead.
Can 6262 bar be anodised?
Yes. It takes clear, coloured and hard anodic coatings much better than 2011, which is one of the main reasons it is chosen.
Need 6262 bar for machined parts?
Send size, temper, specification and quantity. We will reply with availability, certification and a delivered price.
