1. Deliver in T4 or T4P
Sheet arrives solution treated and quenched. T4P (pre-aged) sheet has had a short warm treatment at the mill that stabilises it and speeds the later bake response.
Automotive closure sheet
6014 Aluminium Auto Body Sheet
6014 is a lean, low-copper 6xxx body sheet alloy with excellent formability and hemming, used for bonnets, doors, tailgates and inner panels. Supplied in T4 or pre-aged T4P, it stamps easily and then gains strength in the paint oven. Metline supplies 6014 sheet, blanks and coil with MF or EDT surfaces, certified to EN 485 or the OEM specification, worldwide.
- Alloy
- EN AW-6014 (AlMg0,6Si0,6V)
- Tempers
- T4, T4P, paint-baked
- Gauge
- about 0.7 – 1.5 mm
- Surfaces
- MF, EDT, pre-treated
What makes 6014 a closure-panel alloy
Closure panels (bonnet, doors, tailgate, boot lid) are formed and then joined by hemming: the outer skin is folded 180 degrees around the inner panel edge. That flat hem is one of the most demanding forming operations on a car, and it is where lean 6xxx alloys such as 6014 shine. With low silicon and magnesium and only a trace of copper, 6014 hems without cracking even after the strain of a deep stamping.
6014 adds 0.05 – 0.20 % vanadium, which helps control grain size and keeps the alloy tough. Compared with 6016, it gives a little less strength after paint baking but better formability and hemming, which is why it is often chosen for complex inner panels and for outer panels with tight feature lines. Because it is lean and copper-free in practice, it also has very good filiform and intergranular corrosion resistance.
Many vehicle makers use one 6xxx alloy for both inner and outer closure panels. 6014 suits that approach well, simplifying press-shop scrap handling and allowing closed-loop recycling of offal back into new body sheet.
6014 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits per EN 573-3 and the Aluminum Association registration. Body-sheet producers often work to narrower internal ranges to stabilise the paint-bake response.
| Element | Minimum | Maximum | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 0.30 | 0.6 | With Mg forms hardening precipitates |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.40 | 0.8 | Main strengthening element |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.05 | 0.20 | Grain control and toughness |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.05 | 0.20 | Grain control |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.35 | Impurity; affects hemming |
| Copper (Cu) | — | 0.25 | Kept low for corrosion resistance |
| Chromium (Cr) | — | 0.20 | |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.10 | |
| Titanium (Ti) | — | 0.10 | Grain refiner |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder |
Some tables quote 6014 without vanadium; the registered alloy requires 0.05 – 0.20 % V.
Properties of 6014 body sheet
Values are typical for 1 mm sheet and vary with the producer's processing route and pre-ageing. The vehicle maker's specification sets the acceptance window, which normally includes a yield range in T4 and a minimum yield after a standard bake test (for example 2 % pre-strain plus 20 minutes at about 185 °C).
| Condition | Yield strength (0.2 %) | Tensile strength | Elongation A80 |
|---|---|---|---|
| T4 / T4P as delivered | about 90 – 120 MPa | about 180 – 220 MPa | about 24 – 27 % |
| After 2 % pre-strain + bake | about 170 – 210 MPa | about 220 – 250 MPa | lower |
Physical properties
- Density
- 2.70 g/cm³
- Modulus of elasticity
- about 69 – 70 GPa
- Thermal conductivity
- about 190 W/m·K
- Coefficient of thermal expansion
- about 23.4 µm/m·°C
T4 material naturally ages slowly at room temperature, so its yield strength creeps up and formability drops over several months. Agree a maximum storage time between delivery and pressing, typically stated in the OEM specification.
How 6014 gains strength in the paint shop
2. Press and hem
Soft T4 material is stamped and hemmed. Forming adds a few per cent of strain, which also helps the later hardening.
3. Paint bake
The e-coat and paint ovens hold the body at roughly 170 – 185 °C for about 20 minutes. Fine Mg-Si precipitates form and the yield strength rises.
4. In service
The finished panel has much higher dent resistance than the sheet had in the press, without a separate heat-treatment step.
The bake response of 6014 is slightly lower than that of 6016 because it contains less silicon and magnesium. Designers compensate either with a slightly thicker outer skin or by using 6014 for inners and 6016 for outers.
6014 sheet sizes and surfaces
6014 body sheet supply range
- Thickness
- about 0.7 – 1.5 mm for closures and panels; up to about 3 mm for structural parts
- Width
- roughly 800 – 2,000 mm, wider to agreement
- Length
- cut sheet and blanks to drawing, typically 800 – 5,500 mm
- Coil
- slit coil with agreed inner diameter and maximum coil weight
- Tempers
- T4 and T4P (pre-aged)
- Surface
- Mill finish (MF) or electro-discharge textured (EDT) for better lubricant retention and paint appearance
- Pre-treatment and lubricant
- Conversion coating for bonding, and oil or dry-film lubricant, on request
Body sheet is ordered to the vehicle maker's material specification; send it with your enquiry so we can confirm surface class, flatness and certification.
| Surface option | Code | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Mill finish | MF | As rolled; lowest cost, used for inner and structural parts |
| Electro-discharge textured | EDT | Fine, random texture that holds lubricant in the press and gives a uniform painted look |
| Pre-treated | PT | Thin conversion layer that improves adhesive bond durability and paint adhesion |
| Dry-film lubricant | DFL | Hot-melt lubricant applied at the mill for cleaner, more consistent pressing |
| Oiled | — | Light mill oil for corrosion protection in storage and basic press lubrication |
Pressing, hemming and joining
Stamping
Larger die radii and controlled blank-holder force than for steel; aluminium springs back more because of its lower modulus.
Flat hemming
6014 performs very well in flat and roller hemming; keep the iron content low and avoid excessive natural ageing before hemming.
Joining
Adhesive bonding, self-piercing riveting, clinching and resistance spot welding are all used in closure assembly.
Pre-treatment
A conversion pre-treatment and dry-film lubricant improve bond durability and press consistency.
Painting
Accepts standard phosphate or zirconium pre-treatments and e-coat used on mixed-material bodies.
Corrosion
Very good resistance to filiform corrosion at cut edges and hems compared with copper-bearing body alloys.
Typical 6014 parts
| Part | Why 6014 |
|---|---|
| Bonnet outer and inner | Hemming, dent resistance after bake |
| Door outers and inners | Deep drawability for complex inners |
| Tailgate and boot lid | Hemming around tight feature lines |
| Front wings (fenders) | Good surface quality with EDT finish |
| Roof panels | Large, shallow panels with paint-bake strength |
| Structural inner parts | Formability and corrosion resistance |
A typical aluminium tailgate uses a 6014-T4 inner, deep drawn into a stiffening pattern, and a 6014 or 6016 outer skin roller-hemmed around it and bonded. Both panels gain strength together in the paint oven.
6014 compared with 6016, 6111 and 5754
| Property | 6014 | 6016 | 6111 | 5754-O |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 0.25 % max | 0.20 % max | 0.50 – 0.9 % | 0.10 % max |
| Typical T4 yield | about 90 – 120 MPa | about 110 – 120 MPa | about 150 – 170 MPa | about 100 MPa (O) |
| Paint-bake hardening | Good | Very good | Very good | None |
| Hemming | Excellent | Very good | Good | Good |
| Filiform corrosion resistance | Very good | Very good | Fair | Very good |
| Main use | Inners and outers | Outer skins (Europe) | Outer skins (N. America) | Inners and structure |
How to order 6014 body sheet
- SpecifyAlloy 6014, temper (T4 or T4P), gauge, width or blank drawing, surface (MF or EDT), pre-treatment and lubricant, coil ID and weight.
- Confirm the standardEN 485 and EN 573-3, ASTM B209, or the vehicle maker's body-sheet specification including bake-test requirements.
- QuoteWe confirm availability, tolerances, certification and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP) for your plant or port.
- Process and inspectCoils are slit or cut to blanks, checked for gauge, flatness and surface defects, and packed to protect class-A surfaces.
- Document and shipEach lot ships with an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate, lot traceability and a packing list, in seaworthy export packing. Third-party inspection can be arranged on request.
References and standards
- EN 573-3 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: chemical composition and form of wrought products
- EN 485-2 – Sheet, strip and plate: mechanical properties
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets)
- ASTM B209 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
- IATF 16949 – Quality management system requirements for automotive production and relevant service parts organisations
6014 auto body sheet: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 6014 and 6016?
6014 has less silicon and magnesium and adds vanadium, giving better formability and hemming but slightly lower strength after paint baking. 6016 is preferred for dent-resistant outer skins; 6014 for complex panels and inners.
What does T4P mean?
T4 with a pre-ageing treatment at the mill. It stabilises the sheet against natural ageing and gives a faster, larger strength gain in the paint oven.
How much does 6014 strengthen in the paint bake?
Typically yield rises from about 90 – 120 MPa to roughly 170 – 210 MPa after a standard 2 % pre-strain and bake test, depending on processing.
How long can 6014 aluminum sheet be stored before pressing?
Natural ageing slowly raises yield and reduces formability, so OEM specifications set a maximum storage period. Pre-aged T4P material is more stable.
Can 6014 be used for outer panels?
Yes. Its excellent hemming makes it suitable for outer panels, though some makers prefer 6016 for higher dent resistance.
Need 6014 body sheet?
Send gauge, blank size, surface and volume. Our team will reply with availability and a delivered price.
