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 outer-panel sheet
6016 Aluminium Automotive Body Sheet
6016 is the most widely used aluminium alloy for European car outer panels: bonnets, doors, wings, roofs and tailgates. It forms well in T4, gives a smooth class-A painted surface, and gains dent resistance in the paint oven. Metline supplies 6016 sheet, blanks and coil in T4 and pre-aged T4P, with MF or EDT surfaces, certified to EN 485 or the OEM specification, worldwide.
- Alloy
- EN AW-6016 (AlSi1,2Mg0,4)
- Tempers
- T4, T4P, paint-baked
- Gauge
- about 0.8 – 1.5 mm
- Standards
- EN 485 · ASTM B209
Why 6016 dominates outer panels
An outer body panel must do four things: form to a sharp, accurate shape; hem around its inner panel without cracking; show no surface marks after painting; and resist denting from hail, door knocks and hand pressure in service. 6016 meets all four. Its silicon-rich chemistry gives a strong paint-bake response, while low copper keeps corrosion resistance high and avoids filiform corrosion at hems and cut edges.
Lean in magnesium and almost free of copper, 6016 has slightly lower strength than the North American alloys 6111 or 6022 in T4, which helps formability and hemming. After the paint bake, its yield strength roughly doubles, giving dent resistance comparable to the thicker steel panel it replaces. Unlike 5xxx alloys, it does not show stretcher-strain (Lüders) marks, so it suits class-A visible surfaces.
Outer panels are typically 0.9 – 1.2 mm thick in 6016, compared with about 0.7 mm for steel. Even at the greater gauge, a 6016 bonnet weighs roughly half as much as its steel equivalent.
6016 chemical composition (wt %)
Registered limits per EN 573-3 (EN AW-6016) and the Aluminum Association. Body-sheet producers usually work to tighter internal targets, especially for magnesium and silicon, to keep the bake response consistent.
| Element | Minimum | Maximum | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 1.0 | 1.5 | Excess Si drives fast paint-bake hardening |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.25 | 0.6 | Forms hardening precipitates with Si |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.50 | Impurity; controlled for hemming |
| Copper (Cu) | — | 0.20 | Kept low for filiform corrosion resistance |
| Manganese (Mn) | — | 0.20 | Grain control |
| Chromium (Cr) | — | 0.10 | |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.20 | |
| Titanium (Ti) | — | 0.15 | Grain refiner |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder |
Mechanical properties of 6016 sheet
EN 485-2 sets the T4 window and T6 minimums; vehicle makers add a bake-test requirement that reflects real paint-shop conditions. Typical production values fall within these limits.
| Condition | Tensile Rm | Proof Rp0.2 | Elongation |
|---|---|---|---|
| T4 (EN 485-2) | 170 – 250 MPa | 80 – 140 MPa | 24 % min (A50) |
| T4 / T4P typical | about 200 – 240 MPa | about 100 – 125 MPa | about 25 – 28 % |
| 2 % pre-strain + 20 min at about 185 °C (typical) | about 250 – 280 MPa | about 190 – 230 MPa | lower |
| T6 (EN 485-2) | 260 MPa min | 180 MPa min | 10 % min |
Physical properties
- Density
- 2.70 g/cm³
- Modulus of elasticity
- about 70 GPa
- Thermal conductivity
- about 190 – 210 W/m·K
- Coefficient of thermal expansion
- about 23.4 µm/m·°C
- Melting range
- about 580 – 655 °C
The bake-test values depend strongly on pre-ageing (T4P), storage time and the exact bake cycle; the OEM specification defines the test.
The paint-bake cycle explained
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.
Without pre-ageing, 6016 that has sat at room temperature for weeks responds sluggishly in a short bake, because natural-ageing clusters must first dissolve. The T4P treatment prevents this, which is why most current outer-panel 6016 is delivered pre-aged.
6016 sheet sizes and surfaces
6016 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); T6 for flat parts on request
- 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 |
| Thickness (mm) | kg per m² | 1250 × 2500 mm sheet (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 2.16 | 6.8 |
| 0.9 | 2.43 | 7.6 |
| 1 | 2.70 | 8.4 |
| 1.1 | 2.97 | 9.3 |
| 1.2 | 3.24 | 10.1 |
| 1.5 | 4.05 | 12.7 |
Pressing, hemming and joining 6016
Stamping
Use larger radii and adjusted draw beads compared with steel; compensate for greater springback in die design.
Hemming
Good flat and roller hemming in T4. Prolonged natural ageing before hemming reduces hem quality.
Joining
Hemming with adhesive, self-piercing rivets and clinching are standard; spot welding is used on some inners.
Surface quality
Specify EDT surface for consistent press lubrication and uniform paint appearance on class-A panels.
Paint line
Compatible with zirconium or phosphate pre-treatments and e-coat used on mixed-material bodies.
Corrosion
Very good resistance to filiform corrosion at hems and cut edges thanks to low copper.
Typical 6016 automotive parts
| Part | Why 6016 |
|---|---|
| Bonnet outer | Dent resistance after bake, class-A surface |
| Door outers | Hemming and surface quality |
| Front wings | Formability and paint finish |
| Roof panels | Large panel with bake hardening |
| Tailgate and boot-lid outers | Hemming around feature lines |
| Selected inners and reinforcements | One alloy across the closure |
A typical aluminium bonnet combines a 1.0 mm 6016-T4P outer with a 5754-O or 6014 inner. The outer is hemmed around the inner with adhesive in the hem, and both are baked with the body.
6016 compared with 6014, 6111 and 6022
| Property | 6016 | 6014 | 6111 | 6022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Si / Mg / Cu | 1.0 – 1.5 / 0.25 – 0.6 / ≤ 0.20 | 0.30 – 0.6 / 0.40 – 0.8 / ≤ 0.25 | 0.6 – 1.1 / 0.50 – 1.0 / 0.50 – 0.9 | 0.8 – 1.5 / 0.45 – 0.7 / 0.01 – 0.11 |
| T4 yield (typical) | about 100 – 125 MPa | about 90 – 120 MPa | about 150 – 170 MPa | about 130 – 150 MPa |
| Bake response | Very good | Good | Very good | Very good |
| Hemming | Very good | Excellent | Good | Very good |
| Filiform corrosion resistance | Very good | Very good | Fair | Good |
| Main region | Europe, Asia | Europe | North America | North America |
6016 is the default outer-panel choice in Europe and much of Asia. 6111 gives more strength through copper but at some cost to corrosion resistance; 6014 trades a little strength for easier forming and hemming.
How to order 6016 body sheet
- SpecifyAlloy 6016, 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 the bake test.
- QuoteWe confirm availability, tolerances, certification and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP) for your plant or port.
- Process and inspectCoils are slit or blanked, checked for gauge, flatness and class-A surface, and packed in sealed export cases.
- 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 485-2 – Sheet, strip and plate: mechanical properties
- EN 573-3 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: chemical composition and form of wrought products
- 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
6016 aluminium (aluminum) body sheet: frequently asked questions
Why is 6016 used for outer body panels?
It forms and hems well in T4, shows no Lüders marks, and roughly doubles its yield strength in the paint bake for dent resistance. Low copper gives excellent corrosion resistance.
What is the difference between T4 and T4P?
T4P has an extra pre-ageing treatment at the mill. It slows natural ageing in storage and gives a faster, larger strength increase in the paint oven.
How strong is 6016 after paint baking?
Typical yield after a 2 % pre-strain and 20-minute bake at about 185 °C is roughly 190 – 230 MPa, up from about 100 – 125 MPa as delivered.
What thickness is used for 6016 bonnets and doors?
Outer panels are typically 0.9 – 1.2 mm. Inner panels and reinforcements may be thicker or made from 5754 or 6014.
How does 6016 compare with 6111?
6111 contains copper and is stronger in T4, common in North America. 6016 is nearly copper-free, with better hemming and filiform corrosion resistance.
Do you supply 6016 sheet worldwide?
Yes. Metline ships 6016 sheet, blanks and coil worldwide with EN 10204 3.1 certificates and protective export packing.
Need 6016 outer-panel sheet?
Send gauge, blank size, surface and volume. Our team will reply with availability and a delivered price.
