6262-T9
The standard screw-machine temper: aged, then cold drawn for maximum strength and the cleanest chip break.
Aerospace drawn wire
6262 Aerospace Aluminium Wire (AMS-QQ-A-225/10)
6262 wire is cold-drawn, heat-treated free-machining aluminium wire, made to AMS-QQ-A-225/10 and ASTM B211. Its lead and bismuth additions break chips on automatic lathes, so small fittings, pins and connector bodies can be turned quickly from coil. Metline supplies 6262 wire and small-diameter rod in T6, T8 and T9, in coils or straight lengths, with full certification, worldwide.
- Alloy
- 6262 (Al-Mg-Si-Pb-Bi)
- Tempers
- O, T6, T8, T9
- Diameter
- ≈ 1 – 10 mm wire
- Specification
- AMS-QQ-A-225/10 · ASTM B211
What is 6262 aluminium wire?
In the ASTM and AMS system, "wire" is drawn product under about 10 mm (0.375 in) in diameter, and "rod" is the same product above that size. 6262 wire is therefore the small-diameter end of the 6262 range: drawn through dies to close tolerances, heat-treated, and often cold-drawn again after ageing.
The point of 6262 wire is speed on coil-fed and bar-fed automatics. Lead and bismuth particles (0.4–0.7 % each) act as internal chip breakers, so parts as small as electrical contacts and instrument pins can be turned without tangled swarf. The base chemistry is that of 6061, so finished parts resist corrosion and anodise well.
AMS-QQ-A-225/10 is the aerospace specification for 6262 bar, rod and wire produced by rolling, drawing or cold finishing. It is the document most aircraft drawings cite for 6262 wire, while ASTM B211 is used for commercial and general engineering orders.
6262 chemical composition (wt %)
Registered limits used by AMS-QQ-A-225/10, ASTM B211 and EN 573-3.
| 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 |
An earlier version of this page showed a composition with zirconium, tin and 0.40–0.80 % copper. Those limits do not belong to 6262; the table above gives the registered values.
Mechanical properties of 6262 wire
Typical values are for comparison. The specified minimums below are for cold-finished 6262 in the smaller diameter bands; the exact limits for your size are set by the specification and reported on the certificate.
| Temper | Tensile strength | Yield strength (0.2 %) | Elongation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O, typical | ≈ 125 MPa | ≈ 55 MPa | ≈ 25 % | For forming or later heat treatment |
| T6, minimum | 290 MPa (42 ksi) | 240 MPa (35 ksi) | 10 % | Typical ≈ 310 / 276 MPa |
| T8 | Between T6 and T9 | Between T6 and T9 | Per specification | Solution treated, cold worked, aged |
| T9, minimum (to 50 mm) | 360 MPa (52 ksi) | 330 MPa (48 ksi) | 5 % | Typical ≈ 400 / 380 MPa |
Physical properties
- Density
- 2.72 g/cm³
- Melting range
- ≈ 580 – 650 °C
- Modulus of elasticity
- ≈ 69 GPa
- Thermal expansion
- ≈ 23 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
- Electrical conductivity (T9)
- ≈ 44 % IACS
Which 6262 wire temper to order
6262-T8
Cold worked between solution treatment and ageing. Used where a specific strength-ductility balance is called for.
6262-T6
Solution treated and aged without final cold work. Slightly lower strength, slightly higher ductility.
6262-O
Annealed wire for forming, or for customers who heat-treat finished parts themselves.
Some offers list 6262 wire in T4 or T6511. T6511 is an extruded-product temper for larger rod, and T4 wire is rarely stocked because the alloy is almost always used in aged condition. We quote to the temper your drawing requires.
6262 wire specifications
| Specification | Scope |
|---|---|
| SAE AMS-QQ-A-225/10 | 6262 bar, rod and wire; rolled, drawn or cold finished (successor to federal QQ-A-225/10) |
| SAE AMS-QQ-A-225 | General requirements for the QQ-A-225 bar, rod and wire series |
| ASTM B211 / B211M | Cold-finished bar, rod and wire, including 6262 |
| EN 1301-1/-2/-3 | European drawn wire: delivery conditions, properties, tolerances |
| EN 573-3 | EN AW-6262 [AlMg1SiPb] composition |
| UNS | A96262 |
Sizes, tolerances and packing
6262 wire supply range
- Round wire
- About 1 – 10 mm; larger sizes supplied as drawn rod
- Shapes
- Hexagonal and square drawn wire in common sizes
- Tolerance
- ASTM B211 / ANSI H35.2 standard; precision tolerances for automatics on request
- Form
- Level-wound coils, or straightened and cut to bar-feeder lengths
- Certification
- EN 10204 3.1 with chemistry and tensile results; AMS-QQ-A-225/10 conformance when ordered
| Diameter (mm) | Weight (g/m) | Metres per kg |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.1 | 468 |
| 1.5 | 4.8 | 208 |
| 2 | 8.5 | 117 |
| 2.5 | 13.4 | 75 |
| 3 | 19.2 | 52 |
| 4 | 34.2 | 29 |
| 5 | 53.4 | 19 |
| 6 | 76.9 | 13 |
| 8 | 136.7 | 7 |
| 10 | 213.6 | 5 |
Machining and finishing tips
- Speeds: run high surface speeds with sharp, polished positive-rake tools; built-up edge is rare
- Coolant: soluble oil or neat cutting oil gives the best finish on threads and small diameters
- Straightness: order straightened cut lengths for bar feeders to reduce whip at high spindle speeds
- Anodising: clear and hard anodising both work; keep thick hard coats on critical features under review
- Joining: use threads, press fits or crimping; do not weld or braze
Typical uses of 6262 wire
- Aircraft hydraulic and pneumatic systems: small fittings, sleeves and adaptor nuts
- Connectors: shells, pins and inserts for circular and avionics connectors
- Instruments: pivots, spindles and small housings
- Fasteners: screws and threaded inserts turned from coil
- General engineering: optics hardware, small valve parts and pneumatic components
6262 wire compared with other aerospace wire
| Wire grade | Main purpose | Typical tensile | Weldable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6262-T9 | Free-machining turned parts | ≈ 400 MPa | No |
| 6061-T6 | General parts, formed wire | ≈ 310 MPa | Yes |
| 2024-T4 | High-strength fasteners | ≈ 470 MPa | No |
| 7075-T73 | High-strength, stress-corrosion-resistant fasteners | ≈ 505 MPa | No |
| 2117-T4 | Driven rivets | ≈ 295 MPa | No |
How to order 6262 wire
- SpecifyDiameter and tolerance, temper, specification (AMS-QQ-A-225/10 or ASTM B211), coil or straight lengths, quantity.
- QuoteWe confirm availability, certification and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP).
- DocumentEN 10204 3.1 certificate with chemistry and mechanical results.
- ShipCoils or cut lengths in moisture-protected export cases, by sea or air.
References and standards
- SAE AMS-QQ-A-225/10 – Aluminum Alloy 6262, Bar, Rod and Wire; Rolled, Drawn or Cold Finished
- ASTM B211 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Rolled or Cold-Finished Bar, Rod and Wire
- EN 1301-2 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: drawn wire, mechanical properties
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets)
- ASM Handbook, Vol. 2 – Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials
6262 aerospace wire: frequently asked questions
What does QQ-A-225/10 cover?
It is the specification for 6262 aluminium alloy bar, rod and wire produced by rolling, drawing or cold finishing. The original federal document has been taken over by SAE as AMS-QQ-A-225/10.
Can 6262 wire be used as electrical wire?
No. Its conductivity is about 44 % IACS and it is designed for machining. For conductors, use 1350 or 6101 conductor wire.
Why does 6262 contain lead and bismuth?
Both form low-melting particles that weaken the chip at the cutting edge, so chips break short. This allows fast, unattended turning on automatic lathes.
What is the strongest temper for 6262 wire?
T9, which is aged and then cold drawn. Minimum tensile strength is about 360 MPa in smaller diameters, with typical values near 400 MPa.
Do you supply 6262 wire in straight lengths?
Yes. Wire and small rod can be straightened and cut to bar-feeder lengths, or supplied in coils.
Need 6262 wire for screw-machine parts?
Send diameter, temper, specification and quantity. We will reply with availability, certification and a delivered price.
