6082 T6511 Aluminum

6082 T6511 aluminum is an aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloy belonging to the heat-treatable strengthening aluminum alloys. In the T6511 temper, it exhibits medium strength. This temper is achieved through stretching to relieve internal stresses, offering better dimensional stability compared to the standard T6 temper.

6082 T6511 combines excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, weldability, and machinability. The T6511 temper undergoes solution treatment, stress-relief stretching, and artificial aging, resulting in a fine-grained structure. Its typical ultimate tensile strength is approximately 340 MPa, yield strength around 320 MPa, and Brinell hardness about 95 HB. Its composition (about 97.5% aluminum, 1.0% silicon, 0.85% magnesium, 0.65% manganese) and heat treatment process give it excellent fatigue and dynamic load performance, making it ideal for structural applications such as bridges, cranes, trusses, and marine profiles.

6082-T6511 aluminum alloy is part of the 6000 series (Al-Mg-Si family) of aluminum alloys. The “T6511” temper designation indicates a specific heat treatment process: solution heat treatment, stress relief by stretching (applicable to extruded products), and artificial aging. This temper improves dimensional stability and mechanical properties, making it ideal for precision structural components.

6082 T6511 Aluminum Heat Treatment Temper Description

T6511: After solution heat treatment, stretching (1-3% permanent deformation) and artificial aging are performed, offering high dimensional stability and suitability for precision structural parts.
Compared to the standard T6 temper, T6511 adds a stretching process to eliminate residual stresses, reducing the risk of deformation during subsequent machining.

Common Product Forms of 6082 T6511 Aluminum

Product Form	Description
Aluminum Tube (Wall Thickness 1–20 mm)	6082 T6511 aluminum tubes offer good strength and corrosion resistance, suitable for manufacturing medium to high strength structural components. With a wall thickness range of 1–20 mm, they balance lightweight and structural support requirements. Commonly used in transportation, building structures, and mechanical equipment. The tube features excellent weldability and machinability, making it an ideal material for automated equipment piping and frame systems.
Aluminum Sheet (Thickness 1–3 mm)	6082 T6511 aluminum sheets with thickness between 1–3 mm offer excellent surface finish properties and good resistance to stress corrosion cracking. Widely used in aerospace, automotive skin, ship hull cladding, and industrial decoration. In the T6511 temper, it undergoes stretching and artificial aging, providing strong dimensional stability and balanced, reliable performance after forming.
Aluminum Rod (Diameter ≤ 300 mm)	6082 T6511 aluminum rods can reach a maximum diameter of 300 mm and feature high strength and good machinability, making them essential materials for high-load mechanical parts and mold structures. With excellent fatigue strength and corrosion resistance, they are suitable for aerospace components, machine tool parts, fixtures, and high-strength fasteners, especially in precision machining applications.

6082 T6511 Aluminum Standards and Certifications

EN Standards: EN 573-3, EN 755-2
ASTM: B221, B211
Aerospace: AMS 4150–4153, AS9100

6082 T6511 Aluminum Characteristics

Machinability: 6082 aluminum has excellent weldability, cold formability, and machining performance. Even after annealing, it maintains good workability. Suitable for conventional metal processing methods such as sawing, milling, and drilling.
Corrosion Resistance: 6082 aluminum exhibits good resistance to atmospheric and chemical corrosion. The surface can be anodized (including coloring and coating processes) to enhance protection.

6082 T6511 Aluminum Chemical Composition

Alloy Elements

Aluminum (Al): ≈ 97.5% (by weight)
Silicon (Si): 0.7 – 1.3%
Magnesium (Mg): 0.6 – 1.2%
Manganese (Mn): 0.4 – 1.0%
Iron (Fe): ≤ 0.50%, Copper (Cu): ≤ 0.10%, Chromium (Cr): ≤ 0.25%, also contains trace amounts of Zinc and Titanium

6082 Aluminum Mechanical Properties (T6511 Temper)

Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS): ~ 340 MPa (49 ksi)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset): ~ 320 MPa (46 ksi)
Elongation at Break: ~ 13%
Brinell Hardness: ~ 95 HB
Fatigue Strength: ~ 95 MPa
Shear Strength: ~ 220 MPa
Elastic Modulus: ~ 69 GPa

6082 T6511 Aluminum Thermal and Physical Properties

Density: 2.70 g/cm³
Melting Range: 580 – 650 °C
Thermal Conductivity: ~ 160 W/m·K
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: 23 µm/m·K
Electrical Conductivity: ~ 42% IACS

Heat Treatment and Temper Designation

T6: Solution heat‐treated and artificially aged.
T651: T6 condition plus stress relief by stretching.
T6511: Like T651, but stretch‐level controlled to tighter tolerances, giving more uniform mechanical properties and improved resistance to stress‐corrosion cracking .

6082 T6511 Aluminum Machining Characteristics

Machinability: Good in T6/T651 condition (use chip breakers, stricter chip control); not easy to break in fully annealed (O) condition.
Weldability: Excellent; weld strength is lower than that of the base metal.
Formability: Good in T4 (naturally aged) condition after stabilization heat treatment; moderate in T6511 condition.
Anodizing Response: Excellent; supports clear, dyed, and hard coatings.

6082 T6511 Aluminum Corrosion Resistance

6082 exhibits excellent atmospheric and marine corrosion resistance, performing better than many 6000 series alloys in seawater environments. It has even been certified for marine applications.

6082 T6511 Aluminum Applications

Aerospace: Due to its high strength-to-weight ratio, it can be used in manufacturing fuselage frames, wing structures, and landing gear components.
Transportation: Truck chassis, truck frames, trailer frames, and railcars, rail transit vehicle frames, automotive chassis components, and railway vehicles.
Construction: Bridges requiring high load-bearing capacity, cranes and trusses, anodized curtain wall support structures, and load-bearing brackets.
Marine: Hulls and decks (with corrosion-resistant coating), and superstructures.
Industrial: Mechanical parts, hydraulic pistons, and beer kegs.
Special Profiles: Large-diameter seamless aluminum tubes (up to 300mm OD), rectangular tubes, and custom extruded profiles.
Machined Parts: Shafts, axles, fittings, flanges, and marine hardware.

6082 T6511 Aluminum Advantages and Limitations

6082 T6511 Aluminum Advantages

Higher strength than 6061 and 6063 alloys
Excellent corrosion resistance, especially suitable for marine environments
Good machinability and weldability (TIG/MIG welding with 4043 filler)
Lightweight (Density: 2.7 g/cm³)

6082 T6511 Aluminum Limitations

Reduced strength in the heat-affected zone after welding
Poorer extrudability for thin-walled or complex shapes compared to 6063 alloy
Rougher surface finish compared to other 6000 series alloys

6082 T6511 AluminumComparison with Similar Alloys

Feature	6082-T6511	6061-T6	6063-T6
Strength	Highest (340 MPa)	Moderate (310 MPa)	Low (241 MPa)
Corrosion Resistance	Excellent	Very Good	Excellent
Extrudability	Moderate	Good	Excellent
Typical Use	Structural frames	General-purpose	Smooth extrusions

6082 T6511 Aluminum Manufacturing Process

Heat Treatment: This alloy undergoes solution heat treatment (heated to approximately 530°C), followed by rapid quenching. Stress is relieved by stretching (1–3% stretch for extruded parts) to minimize residual stress, and then artificially aged at around 175°C to optimize strength.
Straightening: Unlike T6510 temper, T6511 allows straightening after stretching, ensuring higher dimensional accuracy of extruded products.

6082-T6511 is highly regarded for its combination of high strength, high toughness, corrosion resistance, and machinability, making it a preferred structural alloy for civil and marine engineering applications.